Special Retreat Germany September 2009 | Rosemary & Steve Knowledgebase

Old Students' Special Retreat Germany September 2009

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Teacher
Day
Index
Question
Steve
3
1
You never talked about something like hell. In Buddhism do Buddhists believe in this kind of concept?
Ref: 2009.09.x.03.01
Written answer
Steve
3
2
How to deal with the selfish attitude of children/teenagers? They just want to do their own thing and dislike helping in the household.
Ref: 2009.09.x.03.02
Written answer
Steve
3
3
Is it beneficial for my practice at home to set goals when, how often and how long I should meditate? Sometimes it helps me and sometimes I feel bad when I could not fulfill my plan.
Ref: 2009.09.x.03.03
Written answer
Steve
3
4
What is the main difference between Theravadin Buddhism and Mahayana Buddhism?
Ref: 2009.09.x.03.04
Written answer
Steve
3
5
How to overcome fear of speaking in public?
Ref: 2009.09.x.03.05
Written answer
Steve
3
6
Should a Buddhist try to be vegan or vegetarian? What do you eat?
Ref: 2009.09.x.03.06
Written answer
Steve
3
7
I was in an Internet cafe recently, looking up examples for a Dukkha reflection and saw pictures of a partial birth abortion on the screen. My neighbor paused from his online football and beer drinking to peer over and ask me what I was doing. After I explained he was repelled and asked why I wanted to look at such things? How would you answer them assuming they seem genuinely interested, but with no Dhamma practice?
Ref: 2009.09.x.03.07
Written answer
Steve
4
1
If one farmer kills an animal for its meat and another farmer kills a mouse while ploughing, isn't there a difference in the intention? Shouldn't I buy vegetables then?
Ref: 2009.09.x.04.01
Written answer
- Intention
- Meat
Steve
4
2
Can you name the Paramis and explain what they mean.
Ref: 2009.09.x.04.02
Written answer
Steve
4
3
Concerning the Compassion/Lovingkindnesswish, is it true to say "you get what you give" or is this point of view too simple to explain the Law of Cause and Effect behind the Compassion/Lovingkindness quality.
Ref: 2009.09.x.04.03
Written answer
Steve
4
4
Many Western spiritual people believe that every one of us has an individual task for his life, an inner destination or master plan, which we will find when we live our full potential and serve other beings. Does Theravadin Buddhism share this common view or is there no master plan?
Ref: 2009.09.x.04.04
Written answer
- Master plan
Steve
4
5
Walking meditation would be easier for me without labeling. Why do you recommend labeling?
Ref: 2009.09.x.04.05
Written answer
Steve
4
6
Please can you explain the word "Sukkha" in more detail. Can we hold it or is it better to work on letting it go? Thanks.
Ref: 2009.09.x.04.06
Written answer
Steve
4
7
Why do we consider 4,000 abortions a day in the US to be very bad, but consider one billion slaughtered pigs, cows, chickens to be quite normal? Why is there made such a difference between beings?
Ref: 2009.09.x.04.07
Written answer
- Abortion
Steve
4
8
Is selfishness the root cause of depression?
Ref: 2009.09.x.04.08
Written answer
Steve
4
9
Yesterday Steve talked about abortion. What do you think about the claim of some women to have the right to be the boss over their own body, and that it is up to them to decide whether to abort or not. What about the Kammic consequences for the women who do abort and the doctor who does it?
Ref: 2009.09.x.04.09
Written answer
Steve
4
10
What do you personally think about psychology concerning treating with the aim of healing the soul and the mind?
Ref: 2009.09.x.04.10
Written answer
- Middle Way
- Psychology
Steve
4
11
Could you please speak about the way materialism affects the mind?
Ref: 2009.09.x.04.11
Written answer
- Materialism
- Mental noting
Steve
4
12
Did you hear of any care of Alzheimer's from nuns or monks? How would Buddhism care for people with Alzheimer's?
Ref: 2009.09.x.04.12
Written answer
- Alzheimer's
- Senility
Steve
4
13
If I understand rightly, consciousness is linked to sense experience. How then can you explain the stories of people who have experience of "near death"?
Ref: 2009.09.x.04.13
Written answer
- Consciousness
- Near death experiences
Steve
4
14
How do you get over shyness?
Ref: 2009.09.x.04.14
Written answer
Steve
5
1
Could you please say something about humility in the meditation practice and in everyday life. How to develop it?
Ref: 2009.09.x.05.01
Written answer
Steve
5
2
What would you say is the difference between practicing meditation as we try to do and practicing Theravadin Buddhism as, for example, Thai people do.
Ref: 2009.09.x.05.02
Written answer
Steve
5
3
I have had a lot of pain in my life and often felt others' pain very much. After working with myself and practicing meditation regularly, now I don't feel anything when hearing about terrible situations, don't even remember my own ones from the past. Is this normal? Of course I have compassion for others but I can't feel it like before.
Ref: 2009.09.x.05.03
Written answer
Steve
5
4
According to the Law of Kamma, good actions lead to a good rebirth. How can I do a lot of good Kamma and at the same time avoid getting reborn in the heaven realm, instead getting reborn human again?
Ref: 2009.09.x.05.04
Written answer
Steve
5
5
In the Satipattana Sutta the contemplation of the body comes two times. How should we contemplate the body as a part of the Five Aggregates? Is there a difference to the first contemplation at the beginning?
Ref: 2009.09.x.05.05
Written answer
Steve
5
6
Is there a teacher or other authority in Theravadin Buddhism you respect most. What do you think about the Dalai Lama?
Ref: 2009.09.x.05.06
Written answer
- Dalai Lama
- Teachers
Steve
5
7
Is it good to have an organ donor pass and to donate your organs if you are dying? How is the process of dying influenced?
Ref: 2009.09.x.05.07
Written answer
Steve
5
8
Would you recommend to read the scriptures in order to deepen the practice and to get a more full understanding of the Buddha's teachings? Or is this teaching on the wrong path of book and thinking knowledge.
Ref: 2009.09.x.05.08
Written answer
Steve
5
9
If a person is dying, say from cancer, and has a lot of pain, what are the Kammic results when the person takes Morphine? Would you recommend it?
Ref: 2009.09.x.05.09
Written answer
Steve
5
10
When exactly does sexual misconduct begin?
Ref: 2009.09.x.05.10
Written answer
Steve
5
11
Do you believe in a higher power that if found gives one strength in one's life?
Ref: 2009.09.x.05.11
Written answer
- Higher power
- Inner power
Steve
5
12
The Buddha said that confidence is the best wealth for a person in this world. Could you please explain more about this?
Ref: 2009.09.x.05.12
Written answer
Rosemary
6
1
Could you please explain about the negative self-image?
Ref: 2009.09.x.06.01
Written answer
Rosemary
6
2
How would you treat a drug-addicted friend?
Ref: 2009.09.x.06.02
Written answer
Rosemary
6
3
How did you come to deep confidence in the Dhamma? Were there certain moments that strengthened your confidence in a special way or did it simply grow gradually?
Ref: 2009.09.x.06.03
Written answer
Rosemary
6
4
Which kind of meditation would you recommend to get rid of grief?
Ref: 2009.09.x.06.04
Written answer
Rosemary
6
5
Rosemary once stated a phrase like this "most people are stuck in Vedana." Could you explain this?
Ref: 2009.09.x.06.05
Written answer
- Impermanence
- Vedana
Rosemary
6
6
How can I help people facing death and dying who have no belief system, who only think of themselves in a material way?
Ref: 2009.09.x.06.06
Written answer
- Death
- Dying
Rosemary
6
7
How important is courage to maintain the meditation practice? And in what way is it important?
Ref: 2009.09.x.06.07
Written answer
- Confidence-inspiring objects
- Courage
Rosemary
6
8
Yesterday in the talk about the Satipattana Sutta you said something like "to an unpleasant worldly feeling we cultivate an unpleasant spiritual feeling".
Ref: 2009.09.x.06.08
Written answer
Rosemary
7
1
What are the results of bad speech?
Ref: 2009.09.x.07.01
Written answer
- Bad speech
Rosemary
7
2
The Buddha was confronted with death when he was an adult. What does this mean concerning the growing up of a child? When should they confront this?
Ref: 2009.09.x.07.02
Written answer
Rosemary
7
3
Can you talk about feelings and not wanting to be attached too much to worldly things and persons? How can you promise someone to love someone and stay with him or her for the rest of your life?
Ref: 2009.09.x.07.03
Written answer
Rosemary
7
4
Can you explain what is done with dead bodies in the tradition of Theravadin Buddhism. What are the funerals in Thailand like?
Ref: 2009.09.x.07.04
Written answer
- Buddhist funerals
- Theravadin Buddhism
Rosemary
7
5
Monks seem to have a higher position, getting more respect then Nuns in Thailand. Are there only cultural reasons for this or is there anything written in the scriptures.
Ref: 2009.09.x.07.05
Written answer
Rosemary
7
6
Yesterday evening you talked about mindfulness of states of mind. What can help depressed people who have depressed states of mind for a very long period, maybe for months?
Ref: 2009.09.x.07.06
Written answer
Rosemary
7
7
Would you please explain what is wrong speech?
Ref: 2009.09.x.07.07
Written answer
Rosemary
7
8
Children at a certain age love to indulge in music. I as a meditator have more and more problems with music. Can you give some advice for parents as to how to deal with that?
Ref: 2009.09.x.07.08
Written answer
Rosemary
7
9
Reflection on Compassion/Lovingkindness wishes makes my practice so much easier and I have experienced a lot of benefit but sometimes I think it is too easy and I have to do some more mindfulness of breathing. What do you recommend as a certain time, my practice is 20 minutes?
Ref: 2009.09.x.07.09
Written answer
Rosemary
7
10
We investigate into meditation pain in order to become aware of our body and mind so that we will be strengthened when we have Dukkha in our life - pain. But how can these investigations help me with real pain? It usually doesn't go away the longer we are focusing on it. It is not of the same nature as real pain is it?
Ref: 2009.09.x.07.10
Written answer
- Meditation pain
- Pain
Steve
8
1
There are four Brahma Viharas but Compassion and Lovingkindness are always taught together, why? It doesn't make sense to me.
Ref: 2009.09.x.08.01
Written answer
Steve
8
2
When reflecting on the Ten Paramis, could it be helpful to make a distinction between how much they seem to be developed in different areas in life, like with family, at work, with friends?
Ref: 2009.09.x.08.02
Written answer
- Ten Paramis
Steve
8
3
How do conceit, pride and stubbornness relate to each other?
Ref: 2009.09.x.08.03
Written answer
Steve
8
4
Is it possible to teach children a simple form of food reflection? They seem quite absorbed by liking and even more by disliking.
Ref: 2009.09.x.08.04
Written answer
Steve
8
5
If doubt is very strong, what kind of meditation can you recommend as a first aid?
Ref: 2009.09.x.08.05
Written answer
Steve
8
6
What does it mean being half enlightened or being fully enlightened? At which point is it good to become a part of the noble Sangha?
Ref: 2009.09.x.08.06
Written answer
Steve
8
7
Do you know what kind of medicine system the Buddha used to cure physical problems. Ayurveda?
Ref: 2009.09.x.08.07
Written answer
- Buddha
- Medicine
Steve
8
8
Before I got here I saw photos of thousands of people, adults and children, starving to death in Guatemala. Although there is enough food, they just can't afford it. How can I feel equanamous about it? Doesn't this stop me from helping, like sending money there or becoming a development worker?
Ref: 2009.09.x.08.08
Written answer
Steve
8
9
Is enlightenment impermanent?
Ref: 2009.09.x.08.09
Written answer
- Enlightenment
Steve
8
10
If a couple wants to have children but it is not possible in a natural way and they use modern medicine and "invetro fertility", do they collect bad Kamma, because of being greedy, especially if the woman has a miscarriage?
Ref: 2009.09.x.08.10
Written answer
Steve
8
11
The Seven Factors of Enlightenment and the Ten Paramis are contained in the Noble Eightfold Path. Please could you explain this in more detail?
Ref: 2009.09.x.08.11
Written answer
Steve
8
12
What are the results of bad speech?
Ref: 2009.09.x.08.12
Written answer
Steve
8
13
Please can you talk a bit about the Book of Ones, and the relationships between wise reflection (Yonisomanasikara), a wise spiritual friend (Kalyanamitta), and heedfulness (Appamada)?
Ref: 2009.09.x.08.13
Written answer
Steve
8
14
In Buddhist countries there are actions you should do with the right hand, not with the left hand, for example giving someone a present or using a fork and spoon when eating. Is there any reason in the teachings? What about left handed people?
Ref: 2009.09.x.08.14
Written answer
- Right hand
Steve
8
15
You said sometimes it could be helpful listening to chants. How can you learn it?
Ref: 2009.09.x.08.15
Written answer
- Chanting
Steve
8
16
Could you please teach more techniques on how to develop more Equanimity in daily life?
Ref: 2009.09.x.08.16
Written answer
Steve
8
17
Do I understand right that there is a changing self, consisting of the Five Aggregates?
Ref: 2009.09.x.08.17
Written answer
- Five Aggregates
Rosemary
9
1
Would you explain Mara, please?
Ref: 2009.09.x.09.01
Written answer
- Ignorance
- Mara
Rosemary
9
2
A German Christian author who writes popular books about Christianity and beliefs says that Buddhists avoid love because they don't want to be hurt. What would you reply? I gave that book to my mother.
Ref: 2009.09.x.09.02
Written answer
Rosemary
9
3
Could you please explain what is Sila?
Ref: 2009.09.x.09.03
Written answer
- Morality
- Sila
Rosemary
9
4
Does it make sense, and would you recommend, separating the contemplation of compassion and lovingkindness?
Ref: 2009.09.x.09.04
Written answer
Rosemary
9
5
Can one say that conceit is like giving oneself fame?
Ref: 2009.09.x.09.05
Written answer
- Conceit
- Fame
Rosemary
9
6
I would tease a retreatant with the intention to help him to grow. Is it bad Kamma for me, and Dukkha for him? For example, when we queue up for breakfast I would take the food very slowly (I didn't do it yet).
Ref: 2009.09.x.09.06
Written answer
Rosemary
9
7
Even though humor is not one of the Paramis, it seems to be a very helpful and beneficial quality. How can it be developed and increased?
Ref: 2009.09.x.09.07
Written answer
- Cosmic humor
- Humor
Rosemary
9
8
How to let go of the fear of losing loved ones, the fear that they will die?
Ref: 2009.09.x.09.08
Written answer
Rosemary
9
9
Why do you want to make a movie about the Buddha?
Ref: 2009.09.x.09.09
Written answer
- Buddha movie
Rosemary
9
10
When does human life start from the Buddha's point of view? Right after the sperm and egg merged?
Ref: 2009.09.x.09.10
Written answer
- Abortion
Rosemary
9
11
I have a question about the 2nd Noble Truth. Ignorance is the cause. Ignorance of what?
Ref: 2009.09.x.09.11
Written answer
- Ignorance
Rosemary
9
12
Rosemary told us that the Buddha talked about faith, wisdom, morality and generosity to be very important for a partnership. Can you please explain more about these qualities, the difference between faith and morality and why these four?
Ref: 2009.09.x.09.12
Written answer