You're very welcome nilakshana sachintha!

@@DougsDharma Thank you so much ❤️☸️

Glad to hear it Giantcrabz! Not sure how many of these I can find, but when I do I like to discuss them! 🙂

Glad it was helpful iwalkinpeace! Yes, many of us lack easy access to local sanghas. There is a lot available on the Internet though, and now through Zoom. But yes, it isn't the same as in person. 🙏

You're very welcome Val, glad you're finding them worthwhile!

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My pleasure xiao mao! 🙏

You're very welcome Brian, thank the Buddha! 😀

Thanks so much, very kind of you.

😄 I'm just a small guy with a KZfaq channel. But I would like to go to India someday! 🙂🙏

@@DougsDharma You are always welcome in our nation

Yes exactly Rick.

Because, The Buddha knows, how to treat a person so that one can get highest benefits of dhamma?. It doesn't mean that, Buddha has limits or no limits?.

The practice isn't for everyone I think.

Thanks for the comment sanket, glad you found it worthwhile.

Ouch Michael! Glad you are better now, and gaining insight. 🙏

@@DougsDharma i mean, to be honest. it was like being killed and brought back to life, within this very life. NOT easy. But much like darryl hannah said in Kill Bill: He had it comin'. Helps me deal with the idea of death too since i was at the door just moments ago. im sure you get a lot of comments so thanks for the acknowledgement!

They are translations of the four major Nikāyas of early Buddhism plus a few other sutta collections. You can see links to them in the show notes of this video: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/ZspzepWXzculgac.html

Thank you sir! Always appreciate your teachings!

Well yes, that's kind of the idea, though to be fair there are a wide range of secular practitioners and some do enjoy religious trappings so long as they aren't accompanied by speculative beliefs.

The Buddha himself never claimed to have founded a new religion. "True" Buddhism was always about how to be happy and lead a stress-free life. It's the people afterwards who added all the mumbo-jumbo spiritual stuff and turned it into a religion like Hinduism or Christianity.

@Doug's Dharma I suppose if it helps you with your practice that’s all that matters. Thank you so much for responding! I love your videos and I’ve learned so much about early Buddhism and Buddhism in general from you 🙂

Interesting question Christina. Since there have been so many Buddhist writings over the millennia in different traditions I'm sure there is quite a lot that isn't kind in one way or another. In early Buddhism there are a few problematic passages, for example some around women that scholars believe may be later interpolations into the text. I did an earlier video about women in Buddhism that discusses some of it: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/bpxkntZ1tMDbiJ8.html

That’s a great question Jimena. Nothing happens quickly, so it’s a matter of long practice. I did an earlier video on anxiety here: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/bsuBqs5ltKvJd4k.html .

@@DougsDharma I just noticed your reply after 2 years haha. Thank you! I'll watch the video on anxiety :) Have you done any videos about impulsivity? I've been working on myself a lot after I posted the original comment, and I don't feel depressed or anxious anymore, but I feel impulsive all the time. Taking risky actions, seeking novelty, seeking something to fill the void I feel inside of me. Which is not sadness anymore, it's just pure lack of motivation to do the things I know that are good for me, and things that I actually enjoy when I get myself to do them. But there are moments where I just can't deal with myself and end up being impulsive. I think it has to do with crave. I crave so much more, and the moment I get it, I crave something else. I think secular Buddhism can teach me about this, but I don't know where to start. And lastly, I just wanted to mention that I appreciate and find refreshing the concept of "Secular Buddhism". Because when I first became interested in Buddhism, I just couldn't get my head around some supernatural things, like reincarnation and karma. But everything else I was getting to know about it, made sense to me. When I knew more people thought the same way about this, people who could separate the religious side from the philosophical and psychological sides of Buddhism, I felt like I wasn't alone. Yet, learning about Buddhism and following its good advice, is something I can't get myself to do. Just for the fact I mentioned above, it's like I delay everything that interests me, but I know that will be hard and will change me, and will take hard work. So I end up seeking instant gratification instead, getting me into a lot of trouble in the long run. You don't have to comment much on anything I said, I just want advice about where to start to conquer these impulsive actions, like, what to watch, what to read, what to listen to. :) I hope you see this, and thanks in advance!

Yes, I don't think it's really possible to force someone to see.

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What about it Lohith? It's a book in the Theravāda canon, which is to say it's a sectarian treatise defending their belief system against alternate ones. It does not however represent early Buddhism.

Thanks! It’s something I’ve considered doing many times. It is however an extremely complex and controversial topic, so it requires a lot of thought and preparation. We will see. 🙂

I have a video on this general topic here: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/aceIndV2ydatmo0.html

Thanks for the video, Doug ! I watched it. It seems to me that based on whatever we know about Buddha's views on how to deal with arrogant monastics who are rough and fierce, we can assume that Buddha might have been ok with being 'physical' to protect ourselves, without being violent. I think he was wise enough to understand that we should not get killed no matter how much we practice non violence. Am I right, Doug ?

I have a whole course on that subject over at onlinedharma.org. 😊

Thanks for the questions Yutik. I've done videos on these topics. Eating meat: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/qJufocaBqZ3Oe6M.html ; atheism: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/h7WBnL2TprbYh2g.html

In this day and age we have no need to exploit sentient beings. 💚🙏🏻

@@DougsDharma Thank you Doug ... Watched this video's and got the ans ❤️😍

1) Buddhist monks and nuns eat whatever is placed in their alms bowls (if they go on alms rounds as is common in Theravada Buddhism) for the convenient of the generous lay followers. They don't cook for themselves, don't place the order, don't even shop and buy at grocery stores. The debates in Buddhism about going vegetarian or not primarily center around lay people's activities, who do go to grocery stores and restaurants to get their meals. To use a similar scenario for lay people, imagine you're vegetarian, but not for nutritional reasons, simply for ethical reasons to contribute less to the killing and meat industry. You're driving down a road and witness a car hitting a deer, killing it. The driver continues on, leaving the dead animal on the side of the road. From an ethical standpoint, there would be no harm in you picking up the deer and having it made into deer meat for your consumption. You didn't kill it, you didn't order the kill, but simply came across this road kill. You could drive on, ignoring the potential meat meal, but this would not change the fact that the animal is already dead, at no fault or request from you. The carrion would simply rot away if you do not pick it up. You are not saving any animal by refusing to eat it, and the possible "compassion" here is not really based on wisdom. In a similar way, the monks and nuns do not request or order the meat that is placed in their alms bowl. Further more, to cultivate vegetables, many pets, small insects, worms and rats were also killed in the process, so people who held themselves on moral high ground and look down upon others because of their veganism/vegetarianism really need to consider their double standard. So the conclusion is, eat whatever convenient for you without killing or make someone kill for you, you just simply won't be able to solve the supply and demand problem in your lifetime - your life is so precious and extremely short, instead, focus on what actually matter for the progress on the straight Path: Ethics, Generosity, Dhamma Learning, Four Noble Truths, Noble Eightfold Path, ... As it does not in any way shape or form matter to the actual practice (unless you suffer health problem from overeating or have bad diet), just remember to keep the 5 precepts, one of which is abstain from intentionally killing living beings. Textual reference: MN 55 - suttacentral.net/mn55 2) Yes, by definition, but we don't associate with its modern connotations and all of the baggage such as nihilism, annihilationism or materialism - these are regarded as false views by the Buddha. The Buddha in many places explicitly rejected the plausibility as well as the existence of a Creator God. These, however, are largely matters beyond the range and concern of average human experience. They have been mentioned here chiefly for the purpose of defining the Buddhist position, and not to serve as a topic of speculation and argument. Such involvement can only divert attention and effort from what ought to be our principal object: the overcoming of greed, hatred and delusion where they are found in the here and now. ‘The world has no shelter and no savior.’ - MN 82 "Regarding this, I went up to the ascetics and brahmins whose view is that everything that is experienced is because of the Lord God’s creation, and I said to them: ‘Is it really true that this is the venerables’ view?’ And they answered, ‘Yes’. I said to them: ‘In that case, you might kill living creatures, steal, be unchaste; use speech that’s false, divisive, harsh, or nonsensical; be covetous, malicious, or have wrong view, all because of the Lord God’s creation.’ Those who believe that the Lord God’s creative power is the most important thing have no enthusiasm, no effort, no idea that there are things that should and should not be done. Since they don’t acknowledge as a genuine fact that there are things that should and should not be done, they’re unmindful and careless, and can’t rightly be called ascetics. This is my second legitimate refutation of the ascetics and brahmins who have this doctrine and view." - AN 3.61 "These greedy liars propagate deceit, And fools believe the fictions they repeat; He who has eyes can see the sickening sight; Why does not Creator set his creatures right? If his wide power no limits can restrain, Why is his hand so rarely spread to bless? Why are his creatures all condemned to pain? Why does he not to all give happiness? Why do fraud, lies, and ignorance prevail? Why triumphs falsehood,-truth and justice fail? I count your Creator one th’ injust among, Who made a world in which to shelter wrong." - Ja 543 "If there exists some Lord all powerful to fulfil In every creature bliss or woe, and action good or ill; That Lord is stained with sin. Man does but work his will." - KN Ja 528

@@cariyaputta oh very logical ans I really appreciate your efforts thank you❤️❤️😍

Interesting, how do you see it as a joke? I see it as a metaphor for not having anything to do with the person, as mentioned at the end of the sutta: it would be like killing them since they would then have no access to the dhamma.

@@DougsDharma I think the metaphor is the correct takeaway, I just had a humorous image in my head of Kesi's shock when the Buddha was insisting on killing the student, before explaining that it is not literal killing. Perhaps a humor in the sense of koans, such as "If you meet the Buddha on the road, kill him." I imagine monks reading and chanting scripture would have appreciated the small jokes where they could find them 😅

Thanks! 😊

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I did a video awhile back on Vipassana or Insight practice: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/hrSKhaeB1dnem30.html

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There is nothing in the early texts to support the claim that the Buddha was ever literally in favor of killing.

Alright ! 😃 I just Heaved a Sigh of Relief, Doug ! Thanks a Lot ! Hail Buddha !!! 😎😄🙏🏼

Thanks for the questions Kacper. I have various videos on these topics. For example, Buddhists of other religions: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/bt2jp7aZ1dWXiWw.html . There are various canonical texts for Buddhists, such as the Pāli Canon, but they are quite lengthy. I have videos on those topics in my playlist on "Books". As for sources to learn about Buddhism, check out the other videos on this channel for starters! 🙂

@@DougsDharma Thank you very much for your time, I will surely check out these videos later on!

I think it is very difficult to be a Buddhist and a Christian at the same time. Buddha denied existence of any eternal God living in eternal heaven. All the gods and heavens in Buddhism cosmology are temporary beings who are also stuck in the cycle of birth and death, who themselves need to attain nirvana through Buddhism and this is why Buddha is called teacher of humans and gods. And if you look at Christianity, you can easily see that it is clearly incompatible with Buddhism.

I know it's a year later but I'd like to answer in case this is helpful: there's no reason for you to feel limited by categories, if you appreciate some teachings from Buddhism and feel they improve your life, just practicd those things. Other aspects of Buddhism that aren't compatible with your faith you can just ignore. I think there is wisdom in every teaching, so you don't have to take 100% of anything. For example, you can practice Buddhist meditation but not agree with Buddhist cosmology and nothing will conflict with your faith. Best of luck to you!

Fascinating.

Well, I suppose the Buddha knows whom he can help and whom he can't.

@@DougsDharma Yes that's right. Supreme Buddha does know who he can help and can't. As he can see a person's spiritual faculties. How much wisdom has been developed, how virtuous they are. etc. And if they have the potential to awaken any of the 4 enlightenment stages. This is why Supreme Buddha travelled many miles to help as many as he could, who were able to realise the 4 noble truths. So Supreme Buddha couldn't help those who weren't able to comprehend the teachings, yet he could help them acumulate merits. Which is what he did.

I recall seeing something similar though I'd have to have the sutta in front of me to have an informed opinion about it. My sense in general though is that from the Buddha's point of view, it's best not to judge unless you can truly do so without attachment, without greed or hatred.

@@DougsDharma thanks for the reply Doug, that does sound like a more useful interpretation than how I had interpreted it. I found the sutta again, it's AN 6.44: "With Migasālā", if you'd like to take a look for yourself.

Well yes, sometimes it's necessary to escalate the situation, but the metaphor may be a bit extreme. The keisaku is hardly a 2 x 4!

@@DougsDharma Of course I didn't literally mean, or condone actual violence. I think that those days, and ways are gone. However, my teacher had his ways. lol He was one of the sharpest, most insightful people that I have ever known. And with a degree phycology it wasn't hard for him to give someone a virtual slap across the ego if he felt that one was needed. Please, don't get the wrong impression. Albert, was one of the kindest, and most gentle people that I have every known, and would only push those buttons when he had to, which was rarely. He is sorely missed.

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True!

That's great to hear! 🙏

Right, it's a metaphor.

Not all that exists in nature is beneficial; nature is essentially amoral. And anger is indeed very enticing, the Buddha called it a thing with a poisoned root and a honeyed tip. But I'd suggest checking it out for yourself: sit with anger and see if it is truly pleasant. See if the desire to harm others is truly beneficial. suttacentral.net/sn1.71/en/sujato

@@DougsDharma I never said it was pleasant. If it was pleasant I would probably be more suspicious of it.

Yes unfortunately that's right, Stone. Eventually we have to have limits.

Yes, hard to say for sure Andrew!

From what I took: Don't teach a pig to sing. It's not going to work and it'll just irritate the pig. And especially do not give in to anger if you cannot successfully teach an individual.

Well, that's a good start! Take it as a kind of Zen kōan then. 🙂

Well personally I'd want to chat with him! 😄

If you so much as get reborn in the times of the next samasabuddha, you would have done quite a lot already.

You may or may not have that right, but the question is what would be best for you? It depends on the circumstance. What is helpful indeed is energy, drive, focus, courage, wisdom. Anger can provide some of that, but at what cost? What if, instead of hating people and harming them, we could escape our bounds with a compassionate mind, understanding that those who harm others also harm themselves.

It is both. James Mallinson has an excellent book on the roots of Yoga that you might want to check out for more.

Yes, I find secular Buddhism a good place. Take a look see!

Karma and rebirth are both supernatural and basic foundation of Buddhism without which Buddha would be reduced to nhilism which was heavily criticized by Buddha himself.

@@prashantlakhera6156 its not nihilism to say. "I dont know what happens when we die. I just want to lead a good life and gain wisdom"

Yes, he certainly was.

Yes that's a good question John. I don't know that the Buddha ever said that samsara was eternal, after all one of the famous "unanswered questions" is whether the world had a beginning or not. What he said was that he could discern no beginning to it, which isn't precisely the same thing.

Well they're not supposed to get angry, though they may become pointed in their response. 🙂

I don't know the answer Ray. Things change, sometimes due to violence, sometimes for other reasons. But even places in which Buddhism is present are not free of warfare and strife, so I doubt that Buddhism alone would make the difference. After all, there are many ways people practice it.

@@DougsDharma Thank you so much for your explanation ❤️❤️❤️☸️☮️

Interesting, where do you find that?

@@DougsDharma I saw it in an anime once. But it's a legitimate Buddhist saying.

Pride

Noice

True ...

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As a retired teacher, that would be a sad thing for a student to say...🤡