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Question 65: AS A BUDDHIST, WHAT SHOULD WE STRIVE TO DO THROUGHOUT OUR LIFE?
Answer: As Buddhists, we need to focus on cultivating morality and performing virtuous deeds. We’ve outlined various levels of meritorious deeds from basic to advanced. The most basic level involves helping others with their essential needs, such as food and clothing; the most advanced level involves supporting others in their… Read more ⇢
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Question 64: WHAT SHOULD WE DO AFTER TAKING REFUGE IN THE THREE NOBLE JEWELS?
Answer: Except for those with extraordinary spiritual capacity who can practice on their own and still attain enlightenment, known in Buddhism as Pratyekabuddhas (Self-enlightened Ones), everyone else must practice with fellow practitioners and follow a master closely over the long term. This helps us avoid laziness, complacency, and potential mistakes… Read more ⇢
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Question 63: AFTER TAKING REFUGE IN THE THREE NOBLE JEWELS IN BUDDHISM, DO WE NEED TO INFORM THE LEADERS OF OUR PREVIOUS RELIGION?
Answer: If we feel that these leaders are open-minded and cheerful, we may consider informing them about our decision. This can help strengthen the bond between the two religions, showing that we are not abandoning our previous religion, but rather adding Buddhism to our spiritual journey to promote greater love… Read more ⇢
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Question 62: WHAT IS THE PROCESS OF TAKING REFUGE IN BUDDHISM?
Answer: To take refuge and become a follower of Buddhism, you would follow these steps: From this moment on, you are officially a disciple of the Buddha, establishing a positive connection with the Buddha’s Dharma for countless lifetimes to come. Read more ⇢
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Question 61: IF SOMEONE FROM ANOTHER RELIGION NOW WANTS TO TAKE REFUGE AND BECOME A DISCIPLE OF BUDDHISM, IS THERE ANY OBSTACLE?
Answer: We can ask a similar question to followers of other religions: if a Buddhist wants to become a follower of your religion, would there be any obstacles? The answer would most likely be: “No, there is no obstacle.” The same goes for Buddhism – there is no obstacle for… Read more ⇢
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Question 60: CAN YOU PROVIDE AN OVERVIEW OF THE LIFE OF SAKIYA MUNI BUDDHA?
Answer: GAUTAMA BUDDHA (SAKIYA MUNI) Gautama Buddha, also known as Sakiya Muni, was born on the full moon day of April in 563 BCE when His mother, Queen Maya, was passing through the Lumbini Garden on her way from the capital Kapilavastu to Devadaha. He was a prince named Siddhartha,… Read more ⇢
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Question 59: ACCORDING TO THE MEDITATION PRACTICE SEQUENCE, AFTER A LONG PERIOD IN THE STAGE OF RIGHT ENDEAVOUR, MINDFULNESS EMERGES, AND THE PRACTITIONER ENTERS THE STAGE OF RIGHT MINDFULNESS, BUT IT IS NOT YET RIGHT ECSTASY. HOW CAN THIS BE EXPLAINED FURTHER?
Answer: Each stage of inner cultivation is an arduous process and not easy to accomplish. For example, transforming an unwholesome mind into one mixed with good intentions is extremely challenging because those with malevolent tendencies are often reluctant to give them up. Therefore, helping these people transform their minds is… Read more ⇢
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Question 58: MANY PEOPLE BELIEVE THAT A RESTLESS MIND BELONGS TO AN ORDINARY PERSON, SO WHEN THE MIND IS CALM, IT MUST BE THE MIND OF AN ENLIGHTENED SAINT. IS THAT CORRECT?
Answer: Let’s use the analogy of a house to understand this concept more clearly: Understanding this analogy helps us remember that we are still ordinary beings with many hidden faults, even when our minds occasionally become tranquil. We must not secretly declare ourselves enlightened, as this could lead to future… Read more ⇢
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Question 57: WHY SHOULD WE CONSTANTLY REMIND OURSELVES THAT DEEP WITHIN OUR MIND THERE IS STILL IGNORANCE AND SINS?
Answer: This reminder is meant for practitioners who have attained a relatively firm state of inner tranquility. When the mind reaches a state of tranquility, subtle thoughts of arrogance may unexpectedly arise with great force, strong enough to potentially lead the practitioner to hell in the future, undoing all the… Read more ⇢
ABOUT THE AUTHOR JANNA
JANNA is the pen name of a certain monk who does not wish to use his real name. He is likely mature enough to understand that fame, wealth, and glory are as fleeting as morning mist.
In Pali, “JANNA” means purity, so it’s unclear which country he’s from. However, he seems to have studied the Nikaya scriptures.
Although he writes about Buddhism, he appears to desire unity with other religions to contribute to the cause of world peace. He attempts to demonstrate how differences can complement one another…
BUDDHISM FOR BEGINNERS 