Special Retreat Germany September 2004 | Rosemary & Steve Knowledgebase

Old Students' Special Retreat Germany September 2004

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Teacher
Day
Index
Question
Steve
3
1
If one knows one is going to die how to prepare yourself? When death is really close, what type of meditation is best to use?
Ref: 2004.09.x.03.01
Written answer
Steve
3
2
Recently I met a person who wouldn't be alive anymore without a liver transplant 9 years ago. It made me aware of my indecisive attitude towards transplants. On one hand it could be an act of Compassion and Generosity, on the other hand some Buddhist traditions say that touching a body right after becoming brain-dead could have a negative effect on a possible rebirth. "If in doubt, don't," right?
Ref: 2004.09.x.03.02
Written answer
Steve
3
3
To me, the goal of enlightenment is a bit abstract. How can we use it in a practical way in our daily practice? And, are there any enlightened people in the world, do you know any?
Ref: 2004.09.x.03.03
Written answer
Steve
3
4
Can you please define the Parami of Morality in a positive way? By this I mean, I often see Morality as a list of things not to do, don't steal, don't lie. How do we look at Morality as a positive list, in other words, being truthful or being generous and so on?
Ref: 2004.09.x.03.04
Written answer
Steve
3
5
Are there doubts which are beneficial and support the reflective and investigative quality of the mind regarding one's habits, self images, etc.? And how to distinguish between them and self-doubt, which is harmful. When do I know which doubt I shall give my attention to and which not?
Ref: 2004.09.x.03.05
Written answer
Steve
3
6
Concerning doing Compassion/Lovingkindness before walking - the special mindfulness activity - could you please explain how to balance Compassion for the insects which might die when I walk in the need to walk, because sometimes as a response to the Compassion/ Lovingkindness comes the feeling that I shouldn't walk?
Ref: 2004.09.x.03.06
Written answer
Steve
4
1
Can we ever be free from physical Dukkha?
Ref: 2004.09.x.04.01
Written answer
- Doctors
- Physical Dukkha
Steve
4
2
Please, do explain why it is beneficial for the meditation practice not to have any alcohol?
Ref: 2004.09.x.04.02
Written answer
Steve
4
3
Can flowers, stones experience pain?
Ref: 2004.09.x.04.03
Written answer
Steve
4
4
Can animals somehow, some day escape from their Dukkha, get out of their conditions?
Ref: 2004.09.x.04.04
Written answer
Steve
4
5
Can you, please, describe the Four Levels of Enlightenment?
Ref: 2004.09.x.04.05
Written answer
Steve
4
6
How can we best help a dying relative?
Ref: 2004.09.x.04.06
Written answer
Steve
4
7
What benefits can died loved ones have from our doing Compassion/ Lovingkindness for them?
Ref: 2004.09.x.04.07
Written answer
Steve
4
8
What do you mean when you say we have to be aware of when a problem exists, and when it doesn't exist Dukkha doesn't exist?
Ref: 2004.09.x.04.08
Written answer
Steve
4
9
What do you mean by settling back? Is it the same as stepping back?
Ref: 2004.09.x.04.09
Written answer
Steve
4
10
Among scientists it is said that a good relationship between parents and child needs deep attachment, yet Buddhism teaches an attitude of non-attachment. How to combine this as a Buddhist parent in the relationship with one's child?
Ref: 2004.09.x.04.10
Written answer
Steve
4
11
Is the sequence of The Ten Paramis purely coincidental? Does strengthening the first automatically help in strengthening the second? In other words, how are they related?
Ref: 2004.09.x.04.11
Written answer
- Ten Paramis
- Generosity
Steve
4
12
How can we let go of the eight worldly dhammas in daily life?
Ref: 2004.09.x.04.12
Written answer
Steve
5
1
How can you teach children how to deal with aversion and desire?
Ref: 2004.09.x.05.01
Written answer
Steve
5
2
What would Buddhists say about marriage? What about adultery?
Ref: 2004.09.x.05.02
Written answer
Steve
5
3
What is reborn? Is it the ego, the mind, the consciousness or the personality?
Ref: 2004.09.x.05.03
Written answer
Steve
5
4
Are there any enlightened people in other religious ways?
Ref: 2004.09.x.05.04
Written answer
Steve
5
5
Can you, please, give an example of a Compassion/Lovingkindness wish to animals?
Ref: 2004.09.x.05.05
Written answer
- Animals
- Compassion/Lovingkindness
Steve
5
6
Is being gay based on wrong understanding?
Ref: 2004.09.x.05.06
Written answer
- Gay
- Homosexuality
Steve
5
7
When I face very uncomfortable feelings like mourning, I have a tendency to let myself fall into sloth and torpor. How can I try to prevent hiding myself from these feelings in a wise way?
Ref: 2004.09.x.05.07
Written answer
Steve
5
8
Can you please explain what the Jhanas are? Is it important to have them and to recognize them?
Ref: 2004.09.x.05.08
Written answer
Steve
5
9
In the very early days of Christianity, reincarnation was not rejected. Could it be that the reincarnation of a soul is in fact the same as reincarnation of Kamma?
Ref: 2004.09.x.05.09
Written answer
Steve
5
10
How does Buddhism define ego and where receives the ego its energy from?
Ref: 2004.09.x.05.10
Written answer
Steve
5
11
The Tibetan Buddhists call the Theravadin Buddhism the "Small Car" or the "Small Way," yet they consider physical exercises as most important. Do you know how it came to such a different view according to the scriptures?
Ref: 2004.09.x.05.11
Written answer
Steve
5
12
I wonder why there are quite a few lists of beneficial qualities, Paramis, 7 Factors of Enlightenment, Brahma Viharas, 5 Spiritual Powers. Do you know why the Buddha created these and whether he preferred one of these to the others?
Ref: 2004.09.x.05.12
Written answer
Rosemary
6
1
How do we practice Right Speech in giving directions or instructions to people relating to how much or how little to explain something? And how to respect the person's abilities while trying to impart necessary information?
Ref: 2004.09.x.06.01
Written answer
Rosemary
6
2
Do you think that having in front of us a Buddha image will be helpful for the bowing practice?
Ref: 2004.09.x.06.02
Written answer
- Bowing
- Buddha statue
Rosemary
6
3
In last night's talk you were speaking about wrong thought, and you mentioned a kind of mind which "claims." Would you, please, explain in more detail what is a "claiming mind"?
Ref: 2004.09.x.06.03
Written answer
Rosemary
6
4
Kamma is intention. Would you please explain this statement by the Buddha in a little bit more depth?
Ref: 2004.09.x.06.04
Written answer
Rosemary
6
5
How do you deal with mass media, newspapers, TV, computers, internet etc. in your daily life? What would you suggest?
Ref: 2004.09.x.06.05
Written answer
Rosemary
6
6
How can statistics be used in Meditation?
Ref: 2004.09.x.06.06
Written answer
- Compassion/Lovingkindness
- Statistics
Rosemary
7
1
What about research, medical, biological, that takes lives in order to save more lives in the future?
Ref: 2004.09.x.07.01
Written answer
- Medical research
Rosemary
7
2
Can you, please, describe right punishment?
Ref: 2004.09.x.07.02
Written answer
Rosemary
7
3
Do you recommend walking meditation in everyday life?
Ref: 2004.09.x.07.03
Written answer
- Walking meditation
- Walking meditation in everyday life
Rosemary
7
4
Impermanence is the primary reason for Dukkha. Could you please expand on it especially with regards to wanting pleasure, fame, gain and praise to be permanent?
Ref: 2004.09.x.07.04
Written answer
Rosemary
7
5
Often I feel your methods to develop Compassion and Lovingkindness are not appropriate, and instead of Compassion, I develop depression, aversion, fear and worry. What is that? What am I not able to?
Ref: 2004.09.x.07.05
Written answer
Rosemary
7
6
In the back of my mind is the idea that acceptance is an alibi not to act and that acting is the main purpose of life. So what is acceptance actually? How to find a balance between acceptance and the necessity to act?
Ref: 2004.09.x.07.06
Written answer
Rosemary
7
7
How can we help our children strengthen the Ten Paramis?
Ref: 2004.09.x.07.07
Written answer
- Ten Paramis
- Children
Rosemary
7
8
Can you please speak about the eight worldly dhammas and suggest methods to help lessen the attachments to them?
Ref: 2004.09.x.07.08
Written answer
Steve
8
1
In general, is it wise to share insights in a retreat, or with non-meditators?
Ref: 2004.09.x.08.01
Written answer
Steve
8
2
My eight year old child needs glasses and some of her girl friends take fun on this and say bad things about it. She got strong reactions. Could you, please, help me suggesting some wise reflections which will enable her to avoid some unwise reactions and heal her pain?
Ref: 2004.09.x.08.02
Written answer
Steve
8
3
Could you, please, explain the Five Precepts and what is their importance?
Ref: 2004.09.x.08.03
Written answer
Steve
8
4
Is it from a Buddhist point of view better to bury or to burn human corpses?
Ref: 2004.09.x.08.04
Written answer
- To bury or to burn
Steve
8
5
Reflecting on "How Fortunate I Am" very often turns into a "May I be able to enjoy all my fortunes." Often I find it difficult to take joy from them when I compare myself to most people in the world. The feeling of injustice arises accompanied by the desire to give up my practice. The thought arises, isn't it unkind - towards all the sufferings in the world, spending one's life seeking such a lofty state as happiness, liberation?
Ref: 2004.09.x.08.05
Written answer
Steve
8
6
When I think of the Buddha and that he perfected the Ten Paramis, I don't feel I have that same human potential. How to have more trust in my human potential?
Ref: 2004.09.x.08.06
Written answer
Steve
8
7
I have a friend who's had abortions in the past. The remorse that they feel helps them in reflecting of the dangers of unawareness and it renews their resolution to be mindful of their actions, thoughts and speech throughout the day. It also strengthens their confidence in the Buddha, the Dhamma and the Sangha. What else can they do?
Ref: 2004.09.x.08.07
Written answer
- Abortion
- Giving
Steve
8
8
The Tibetan book of death and life has a detailed description of what happens when one dies. Do you know if this is true and based on the scriptures? Does Theravada have a similar book or description of the process of dying?
Ref: 2004.09.x.08.08
Written answer
Steve
8
9
How does experiential understanding of reality and transcendental wisdom relate to each other?
Ref: 2004.09.x.08.09
Written answer
- Experiential understanding
- Wisdom
Steve
8
10
How can I balance using all the techniques?
Ref: 2004.09.x.08.10
Written answer
Steve
8
11
Can you explain determination?
Ref: 2004.09.x.08.11
Written answer
Steve
8
12
What is important to keep in mind when meeting other meditation teachers?
Ref: 2004.09.x.08.12
Written answer
Rosemary
9
1
Is it that Compassion is a fuel for all the other Paramis?
Ref: 2004.09.x.09.01
Written answer
Rosemary
9
2
How could a moment of pure awareness be objective? Isn't the way that we see, hear and feel always colored by our perspective?
Ref: 2004.09.x.09.02
Written answer
- Objective
- Perspective
Rosemary
9
3
What kind of questions would you ask a teacher?
Ref: 2004.09.x.09.03
Written answer
Rosemary
9
4
Could you please explain renunciation?
Ref: 2004.09.x.09.04
Written answer
- Letting go
- Renunciation
Rosemary
9
5
Has every animal the same value? Has every human being the same value? Is killing the parents worse than another person?
Ref: 2004.09.x.09.05
Written answer
Rosemary
9
6
How can we take blame, whether deserved or undeserved, and take it less personally?
Ref: 2004.09.x.09.06
Written answer
Rosemary
9
7
Is there anything about the meaning of dreams written in the scriptures?
Ref: 2004.09.x.09.07
Written answer
- Auspicious dreams
- Dreams
Rosemary
9
8
What are the benefits of memorizing Suttas?
Ref: 2004.09.x.09.08
Written answer
- Memorizing Suttas
- Suttas