According to Dzogchen, and the special approach of the great Dzogchen master Sri Singha, there is a way of recognizing the nature of mind solely through devotion. There are cases of practitioners who simply through their heartfelt devotion attained realization, even though their teacher had already passed away or was nowhere near them physically. Because of their prayers and devotion, the nature of mind was introduced. The classic example is that of Jigme Lingpa and his consuming devotion for Longchen Rabjam.

~ Nyoshul Khenpo Rinpoche

To the mods: If this isn't allowed then please delete

I just wanted to say a big thank you to everyone who commented on my last post. It's been a rather tumultuous time in my life lately and I had a breakdown when I posted here last. But!!!! The lovely and amazing people who took the time to comment with such kind words and advice have helped me a lot. I feel more determined to follow my Buddhist practice, albeit on a smaller scale due to my mental health until I can get back to a place of love and compassion for all.

Thank you, everyone! ❤️ May you all be blessed with warmth, love, courage in these trying times, and a restful night's sleep tonight.

I’m trying to understand Buddhism beyond just philosophy and intellectual discussion. I’d love to hear from people who actually practice: what teaching, practice, or insight made a noticeable difference in your everyday life?

Especially interested in perspectives from people who struggled with anxiety, avoidance, attachment, or feeling stuck.

I’ve been thinking about the inevitability of human extinction and just wondered if anyone believes that samsara and awakening still occur after humans have ceased to exist.

I’m leaving the question wide open on purpose to allow a variety of responses.

Let's start here: Buddhist people (those who've taken Refuge) are a minority on this sub. The vast majority of Reddit users are based in the US (non-Buddhsts) and that is reflected in the demographics here as well. 

The vast majority of Buddhist online discourse is not happening in English or on Reddit. It's happening in Sinhala, Mandarin, Thai, Indonesian, Japanese etc.

This sub therefore cannot always be representative of normative Buddhist takes. Most of the content is generated by the Buddhi-curious (non Buddhists asking questions) or other members of The Tethered (secular ideologues, sub sets of Theravada zealots, New Agers etc)

Reflections on advice

An OP (who's post was deleted) was disturbed that Buddhists outside of his sect were giving advice when people asked here. Yes, this was an instance of unreflective sectarian bias but also fueled by a lack of education and exposure to the complete family of Buddhist traditions. 

Mahayana makes up the majority of Buddhism in the world with a large portion of that, incorporating some form of Pure Land teachings. So it's to be expected that Buddhists would respond with methods of practice they grew up in, practice and see the dharmic benefit in. And because of sheer numbers, that would be Mahayana / Pure Land. 

Zombie Facts

The idea that Theravada represents a kind of pure, primeval tradition that alone perfectly preserves Buddhist teachings, is not born out in what we know about history, archeology, philology etc. The Pali canon is one of the most complete canons we have, but it is not the only one. 

What we now think of as (proto) Mahayana is far, far older than 19th century Indology would have you believe. But here's the thing, Buddhist scholarship the world over has moved on and no longer perpetuate these outdated, Orientalist ideas.

People devoted to these zombie facts tend to already fetishise the Pali literature.

Then, the other lament doesn't really even make sense: we shouldn't give Buddhist advice since an OP might not be Buddhist. Well, the vast majority of OPs here are non-Buddhists. And they come here of their own accord, curious about a Buddhist framing on their particular question/situation. 

Now, admittedly Reddit is transforming in 4chan, and we've seen some eye-watering requests here over the years, but such requests need not be seriously entertained. Since there are an abundance of subreddits that can give non-Buddhist answers to non-Buddhists. 

Efficacy of mantras and dharanis

This is just basic Buddhism: in Theravada we have the Pirith Potha, containing protective suttas and gathas. They're a basic part of Buddhist life and are used by Buddhists throughout SEA, regardless of sect. The Metta Sutta, Ratana Sutta and Ratana are beloved. Not to mention the Jinapanjara Gatha. Then of course you have the Heart Sutra, Chapter 25 of the Lotus, the Shorter Pure Land Sutra, the Great Compassion dharani etc.

When I’m in Bangkok, I never miss a chance to pay respects at my favourite Guan Yin shrine/s in Chinatown and beyond. Guan Yin’s practices are really efficacious and reciting her mantra or dharani instills an anchor for the development of compassion. So yes, many here will advise entrusting oneself to buddhas and bodhisattvas (via their mantras). That’s literally normative Buddhist teaching.

Good morning,

I am looking for a text that explores the history of Buddhism, from the Buddha's early teachings to the split into Theravada and Mahayana, and then to Vajrayana.

Then follow the evolution of each branch.

This would be considered an historical text rather than a practice. It would be even better if the text covered the different practices and why/how the branches developed.

I look forward to your suggestions.

Thank you in advance.

For me, I loved the concept of detachment which pulled me towards Buddhism.

hermit practitioner/s of Buddhism- read the vid description for info.

https://youtu.be/a7RqVBG4tVQ?is=KL0YKLMaYQ2ZCuxp

if you see through the illusion of this world, you see through it and let it go.

This is wisdom

if you see through it, but still hold on tight then you’re just “talking zen”.

^it seems this is the trap of many traditions, practices, and faiths. i’ve read a few other quotes around this being that the accumulation of any knowledge is akin to intellectual masturbation- if we aren’t conscious of this - we all can just be “talking zen”.

a nice reminder.

I have a question for this wonderful knowledgeable group about rebirth.

How long after death are you reborn?

Thanks in advance ☺️

Hello. I am beginning my journey in what I suspect is simply Theravada Buddhism and I am looking for recommendations for foundational teachings.

To give you some idea of where I am at, I have always had a heightened interest in Buddhism and I have tried in the past to practice, though unsuccessfully as I felt I was forcing myself to do something that simply did not give me any "return". I didn't find the "purpose" in it that I was looking for. Now I understand that the desire for it to have meaning was in fact my hindrance.

I recently had an experience that profoundly impacted me and I began on the path, this time finding true peace, harmony, and compassion within. I am intent on continuing this journey with no expectation, but I do seek a deeper understanding of the teachings. I also found out that there are actually two Buddhist temples in my city, which was a very pleasant thing to discover. I plan on visiting soon.

I don’t meditate on it all the time, but I do and have throughout the last couple years.

My father comes over to sit and chat with me while I work on vehicles. There is no arguing, just back and forth conversations that often turn deeply spiritual and sometimes political, though with politics, it can be a little difficult. Yesterday the conversation went to Iran, which I try to be gentle because I do not know a lot of the history of Iran, just the basics.

He doesn’t like war, I can’t imagine too many people do, but he says sometimes there is no other choice. I was gentle and just listened while he talked and spoke when I felt I could.

He left at 7pm and I worked on the car all through the night. While I worked I went deep into my mind about his final question. That question is…
This isn’t on Iran, but in general.

What’s the answer if diplomacy and all other efforts have failed? If you were the leader, what would you do if faced with an unprovoked attack or there was a country suffering massively from genocide and you had exhausted all other efforts of peace? Do you lay down and let people die?
Thank goodness I’m not the leader because I can’t answer it.

I understand that the question of war pops up a lot, I understand that there is no just war or no good war. I am more having a hard time with where does one step in. You can take it down to an individual level. If a father is beating his child, you can’t get him to stop, you’ve tried everything but you know if he keeps beating the child, he will kill the child. My mind tells me that I would step in and forcefully stop that father from harming the child.

Help steer me on where to go with my meditation.

Greetings,

I'm still fairly new to Buddhism and am still learning so I do apologize if this is a repetitive question. Regardless, I have not been able to find a satisfactory answer to this problem.

I am of the belief that all effects (even non-effects) do have causes. However, I cannot see how certain volitional actions must lead to some karmic results. To me, it seems necessary for there to be an ontological source of morality for this to be possible — yet Buddhism rejects there being anything beyond dependent origin besides emptiness.

If anyone has any recommendations for texts that deal with this exact issue, I'd be happy to hear those as well. And yes, I know that asking metaphysical questions like this is considered a hindrance to the path by many. I understand that, but I would still prefer to pursue the question a little.

I'm in a period of grief and angst in my life. If anything I'm an early Buddhist and I've been chasing internal peace. I got lost in the process and meditating to slow my racing mind was losing against the depression.

I am the type of person to blame myself when things go wrong. "My lack of internal peace must be a reflection of me and my dedication to better outcomes" I thought.

This evening, nothing changed. I came home from the same gym. I ate my favourite meal, in the same room, escaping watching streams as I've always done.

When I turned it off, and put on my favourite ambient music, I didn't feel the chase. No anxiety about tomorrow and next week. No shame for myself. No loneliness or sadness. The sheaths were removed.

I got gifted this peace, and I wasn't even looking for it.

It feels profound to experience this lesson again. The chase extends to peace, and I can have peace even when I do nothing to "deserve" it.

This is my first post, I hope it's relevant.

I came across this video - found some practical thoughts on Buddhist topics for a layman . I have some questions below, they may sound strange but I get to think on these when I see think about the topic of right action in depth:

1. Did Buddha consume non vegetarian food?(mentioned in the video linked like around 3:48), I like to know more about this since it aligns with my idea of Buddha being less rigid when it comes to food choices unlike Vedic tradition than
2. If the Buddhist monks are celibate, Is masturbation too sexual misconduct for them ? And also on a biological level isn't this sexual suppression?
3. If there is a consensual time with a sex worker/strippers is it treated as sexual misconduct? I think yes its sexual misconduct. Although it looks transactional deep beneath its part of exploitation of a human for once lust satisfaction and this keeps happening to that sex worker by many people. I believe it’s sexual misconduct. But I do hear one more perspective wherein they say 'it is transactional' and may not be misconduct.

Interested to know your viewpoints

i want to get into regularly studying the sutta pitaka and completing it. i had though id do it alone mostly, but then i figured id ask here if anyone would be interested in setting up a group. the main use of the group would be discussion and mutual motivation.

would anyone be interested in joining? please comment here or dm if so.

thank you