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Recent content by Ablaze

  1. Ablaze

    Devotee

    Devotee
    • Ablaze
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  2. Ablaze

    Good sutras relating to the "danger of views?"

    Here are several from the earliest record of the Buddha's teachings, the Atthakavagga, which revolves around the dangers of attachment to views as one of its central themes. Dutthatthaka Sutta: Corrupted Paramatthaka Sutta: Supreme Pasura Sutta: To Pasura Cula-viyuha Sutta: The Lesser Array...
  3. Ablaze

    Therava Buddhism -supremacy of mind

    In Buddhism, the existence of karma, defined as intention, allows space for us to shape our reality via our volitional actions. The fact that all conditioned phenomena (including thoughts) have causes does not mean they are predetermined or beyond control, as the intention underlying our...
  4. Ablaze

    Is 'Western' Buddhism too Liberal?

    It may be helpful to make the distinction between practicing Buddhists (who undertake the precepts, meditate, and perform other practices advocated by the Buddha) and non-practicing Buddhists (who don't engage in Buddhist practice, but may subscribe to essential tenets of Buddhist philosophy, or...
  5. Ablaze

    Western Buddhism Impossible?

    While it may be unnecessarily difficult, if not impossible to get the full benefit of Buddhism in the West without visits to temples or contact with other practitioners, there are partial benefits. I tend to conceive of it as "some is better than none, but more is better than less." Thus, it is...
  6. Ablaze

    How do you live out your Buddhism?

    The average Buddhist minimally takes refuge in the Buddha, Dha[r/m]ma, and Sangha. Or, to paraphrase some of the Buddha's final words upon his deathbed, taking refuge in oneself, with no other refuge, taking refuge in the Teaching, with no other refuge. This precludes taking refuge in God...
  7. Ablaze

    'Strict' Buddhism or liberal Buddhism

    Glad to share! :namaste
  8. Ablaze

    Kasina meditation

    It had been a while (about a decade) since I practiced meditating on the kasinas, but recently I picked the practice up again. The fire kasina was my first meditation object when I began practicing and now features prominently in my samatha practice. It is quite easy to "make" a fire kasina -...
  9. Ablaze

    'Strict' Buddhism or liberal Buddhism

    It can be exceedingly difficult to generalize about Buddhists when it comes to something as diverse as ceremonial practices. However, if it must be done, it would be fair to say that traditional Buddhism is quite serious about its rituals. The exact nature of the ceremony (complexity, procedural...
  10. Ablaze

    Arhant vs Boddhisattva... which "goal" did the Buddha teach?

    Common Ground is first-rate in its preservation of the Buddha's noble teachings. It was through this sangha that I attended my first of several extended, residential, silent meditation retreats at no cost. It was also through this sangha that I underwent Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction...
  11. Ablaze

    Arhant vs Boddhisattva... which "goal" did the Buddha teach?

    Consider this piece of wisdom from Thai Forest Monk Ajahn Chah:
  12. Ablaze

    My first foray into Indian take-out

    Sounds like a great meal and an even better personal connection! Enjoy!
  13. Ablaze

    What does Love mean in Buddhism?

    Love as expounded by the Buddha has a universal, non-discriminating, and unconditional quality. In the Metta Sutta, the Buddha advises us to "cultivate an all-embracing mind of love for all throughout the universe" (mettañca sabbalokasmiṃ mānasaṃ bhāvaye...
  14. Ablaze

    Are all types of "desires" bad?

    The desire underpinning right effort is chandaṃ - a resolution, strength of will, or a wholesome motivation. The desires the Buddha advised us to abandon are sensual desire (kāmataṇhā), desire to be (bhavataṇhā), and desire not to be (vibhavataṇhā)...
  15. Ablaze

    Spirituality and Atheism

    Yes, this is the life I live. Briefly, atheism means "without God." There are several spiritual paths that don't concern themselves with God. Buddhism is one of them.
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