How should one deal with insects without using an exterminator? What if they're just really creepy? Are there any old fashioned methods for making them go away without causing harm?

The Teachings on the Key of Life and Death for the First Appearance of the "Dharma Nature and Bodhicitta" After Death

https://youtu.be/JhkQu4m0QLM?list=PLJ3pLcm4TC6dZmLTl7YzZqdZKU4HDdGOx

Hello. I’ve recently become interested in Buddhism, specifically Chan/Zen and have been reading and practicing as best I can.

I’m careful where to ask this question because I’ve seen some heated debates/arguments about if Chan/Zen masters ever did Seated Meditation and a few users have made me very very hesitant to comment and post and they have also given me doubt about the whole thing. So I just lurk in silence.

I won’t bother mentioning the subreddit because it seems pretty notorious/controversial/toxic but the reason I ask here is because what they say can’t be disputed to some extent and that kind of annoys me because I don’t think the person is very nice and sincere to people. They have quotes of teachers rejecting seated meditation too.

I’ve not seen any concrete instructions for seated meditation given by Chan/Zen masters of China or even Buddha from what I have read, albeit what I’ve read isn’t a lot though.

I don’t want to ask this question on places to increase my doubts, so what concrete evidence could you kind folks give me to ease them or prove that Buddha and Chan/Zen masters of China did infact do seated meditation?

Seems to me that between the world being a single nexus of conditions, as well as enlightenment being seen in terms of attachment/lack thereof, a singular nature, that it makes sense to affirm a oneness of the world. Now I get of course that most peoples conception of oneness is problematic, so I'm all for making it a point of showing how their oneness concept is wrong and relevant, but am I missing something, is there just not a oneness? Physics seems to be closing in on unifying the various interactions, at least in terms of energy/space/time, I know this isnt a complete picture in itself, but do we not think there is some abstract unification of all concepts and phenomenon? is there not a single realm of interactivity?

The Visualization Practice of "Compassion" and "Bodhicitta" Series (2): The Visualization Practice of Initiating the Programme of Entering the Dharma Realm and Attain Buddhahood

https://youtu.be/uJWHtH2MrBk?list=PLJ3pLcm4TC6dZmLTl7YzZqdZKU4HDdGOx

I have a strong affinity with Daoist teachings. I'm practicing Nembutsu everyday, but I'm afraid that I might be creating evil karma by mixing it with other religions.

Thanks.

The Visualization Practice of "Compassion" and "Bodhicitta" Series (1) - True Explanation of the “Emptiness Bodhicitta”, Pith Instructions on the “Great Perfection”, and Fallacies of the “Crazy Wisdom”

https://youtu.be/lnwxr35TP7E?list=PLJ3pLcm4TC6dZmLTl7YzZqdZKU4HDdGOx

Hi there, I'm very interested in becoming a Buddhist specifically in the Mahayana branch as for most of my life ove come from a Christian family specifically Roman Catholic but I've always sort of felt a disconnect and over the last couple months have began exploring others faiths with Buddhism being the one I've explored the most. As someone who's new to this though I was wondering if anyone had any tips on where to begin because there are so many sutras and teachings that it's a little overwhelming 😅 so I was just wondering if anyone had any recommendations on where to start!

Though I may not be worthy.
You were there before I knew your name.
You were there when all else had abandoned me.
You tolerated all my infantile cries.
You Stayed my hand and saved my life more than once.
No matter how far I strayed you found me.
Your love and kindness sweeps across the world like a limitless ocean.
Picking up all our debris and decomposing all its madness.
Taking the refuse of our world and transforming it into unsurpassable nectar.
You will be here even when your name is forgotten.
The only thing you ask of us is to live in the light of your awareness.
You don’t even require it, you just politely ask.
May on this day, instead of hearing our cries, may we hear your call.
May we remember your precious kindness, your invaluable jewel.
May we disburse it among all sentient beings to the best of our abilities.
O mother of all the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, May we not rest in the bliss of Nirvana until every being is liberated.
Make us each into one of your thousands of arms so that we may carry out your work.

Om Mani Padme Hum!

I would love if anyone would like to add their own verse/thoughts/dedications or aspirations.

I know that prayer is a Buddhist practice, even if it doesn’t resemble the sort of prayer that you’d see in Christianity or Islam.

So what does prayer look like for a Buddhist, and what would you recommend for someone who finds comfort in prayer and wants to do so in a Buddhist context?

I'm doing some research for something I am writing and have some questions which I cannot possibly answer myself. They are:

1. Are there any Mahayanan schools which do not practice the Bodhisattva Vow as a matter of course?
2. Are there many Mahayanans who, knowing about the Bodhisattva Vow, do not take it?
3. If so, are these individuals treated differently in any way?

Any help gratefully received.

Dear Dharma Brothers and Sisters,

We are extremely excited to announce that Venerable Thich Tam Tien has graciously accepted our invitation to teach the Buddha Dharma in English. Venerable will start the program with Diamond Sutra. Our Dharma master (we call “Thay” in Vietnamese) has spent many years studying and teaching Buddhism in the US. Thay has a Master Degree in Buddhism from Harvard University. He is now pursuing a Doctorate Degree in Ministry at Boston University.

We are so thrilled for this learning opportunity. The class is aimed for English speaking dharma friends to explore Mahayana Buddhism through studying one of its important Sutra. In the Diamond Sutra, the Buddha responds to a disciple's question about how to become a Buddha. In this class, you will have an opportunity to learn Buddhism from basic concepts and beyond.

The class will be given through ZOOM on EVERY WEDNESDAY from 7:00pm-8:15pm (NY time) starting MARCH 27, 2024. Each class will start with 15 minutes guided meditation, followed by 45 minutes dharma teaching and concluded with a 15 minutes Q&A. Class is free of charge. If you would like to learn with us, please contact course coordinator (sister Dieu Bao) via email: ngoc9999@gmail.com or text: 517-897-4437 to register. We’ll collect your email so Thay can send our course materials and class ZOOM info.

With Meta,

-Dieu Bao

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I am writing something on the Bodhisattva vow. Getthin 'Foundations of Buddhism' says that the Arhant ideal has been met when the sixth stage has been reached. Williams 'Buddhist Thought' says that this happens on the seventh stage. I have always found these two to be impeccable so if anyone can offer some clarification, I would be grateful.

Hi everyone been thinking about this recently what are some of the similarities and differences between the Dharmakaya and Brahman?

So I know in Buddhism we have the teaching of non self were Hinduism believe in a self soul but my old teacher taught that non self doesn't mean literally non self but more you don't have an self that exist independently from the universe and our true self is the Dharmakaya/Buddha Nature the universal mind in which we are all connected because the Dharmakaya is permanent whilst our self is impermanent, tbh that sounds very similar to Brahman would love to know your thoughts.

Hi everyone.

I had a question I was hoping to get more clarity on, so I know there is no self/soul and everything is empty of a self and interdependence and everything is connected but what is reincarnated?

Correct me if I am wrong but my thought is the mind is what is reincarnated but the mind is empty of a self (no you or I, and doesn't exist independent from everything in the universe because everything is one and connected)

Thank you to all who reply

I really like the spirit behind the MMK, but text is old, not updated with the insights of modern Western thought, it is at points cryptic, and was written in another culture.

Does anybody know whatever there have been written in our modern time books that argue via reasoning and metaphysical argumentation for emptiness?