History of Theravada Buddhism: Very Old and Very New 

(If this doesn’t mean anything to you then just walk on by. It’s for geeks). 🤓

OK another even smaller one: in their recent online course on Pāli, Richard Gombrich and Alex Wynne (who I assume are on all fours about this, though it was said by Alex) claim that Pāli *was* the language of the Buddha. I believe this remains a controversial claim however.

Nice Video! The 'thera' refers specifically to the monks at the first council, who compiled the doctrine (vada), i.e. the Pali Canon.

Thanks pamokkha, I assume you’re talking about the citation in the video. Certainly makes sense that the usage would refer to the first council, though I was assuming it also referred to the elders who transmitted it from the first council down through the intervening years.

Just to add, here is a quote from the Dipavamsa: "By these and other saintly Theras who had fulfilled their duties, to the number of five hundred, was the collection of the Dhamma and of the Vinaya made; because it was collected by the Theras, it is called the doctrine of the Theras (theravada)".

Thanks again Osanda, glad to hear you're getting something out of these videos! 🙏

So true

You're very welcome Kjetil, there is so much to learn. 🙏

@@DougsDharma Yes so agree :) I seen my self as a buddhist for 20 years, and every day i wake up and find i am still a beginner in the understanding of every aspect of the teaching. Its a journy for life

Well said Kjetil. It is a life path.

Thank you for your practice

Very kind of you to say CCTV. 🙏

Me too

Yes chants can be very calming, thanks MIRCAT.

Thanks Paul. I think obesity would have been unlikely in the early sangha since they were only supposed to take a single meal per day and walk many miles on alms round. They probably would have had to do physical labor of some kind as well to build and maintain the structures that they lived in and shared. In that situation I suppose recommending exercise probably seemed unnecessary, but nowadays less so!

Paul, I think Buddha did emphasize exercise in terms of walking meditation. Obesity can be considered as a result of overindulging in some ways in cases that your metabolism is normal.

Thanks, very enlightening, hope I get to travel to these places one day.What's your opinion in regards to monks consuming meat dishes ,either Theravada or Mahayana ? I am perplexed as to why most buddhist monks eat such"sentient beings". I would have thought it to be an act of violence in the strictest term.

Actually monks living in rural areas are more buddhist than ones living in urban areas (in sri lanka)

There are so many variants of Theravadan Buddhism in Thailand. Next time, if you come to Thailand, look for Thai Forrest Traditional Buddist monastries led by venerable ajarn Mun. The website accesstoinsight provides English info for this school (if you may not know). This is probably the closest thing to the monastries in the ancient time when the Buddha still taugh people. Obesity or whatever health issue is from the Karma. If it should happen, it will happen. No matter what.

Yes, thanks hhh xngh, you're talking about the Buddhist councils. As I understand it the various traditions preserve different histories of how many councils there were, when they took place, and what happened in them. So it's tough to know precisely what to believe, and it's an open item of research as to the history of these councils.The first council is relatively uncontroversial however, though it likely did not take precisely the form as depicted in the Vinaya.

I think the mahayanas first went to the deccan and kashmir before leaving the subcontinent. It traveled to south east via coromandal and deccan and to china through kashmir and silk road

You're very welcome Roberto. It's a huge topic but I did my best.

Yes that’s quite right Charles, at least such is the story that comes down to us and so far as I know there is no reason to doubt its veracity. Thanks!

You are correct, Metta Metta . He is not a king he was an emperor who ruled the entire indian subcontinent etc.

There's inscription in amravathi region that 14 lakh or 1.4 million monks from nagarjunakonda region moved to srilanka they're said to be real thervada Buddhist that we know today. Infact sinhala language is developed because of them. We don't have any proof for mahindra and sangamitta it's only mentioned in 5th century mahavama of srilanka, and it obvious they're written with certain agenda. No Indian original sources regarding ashoka never mentioned any mahindra or sangamitra. So very much possible that story was made up for some nationalistic reasons or to show that their Buddhism is authentic.

@TinTin Mahindra and sangamitra is a lie no Indian Buddhist text mention them not even ashokavadhana not even ashoka own inscriptions. Probably srilankan text exaggerated their histroy books and worte false stories for sense of pride.

@TinTin yes its a mythical story we need to be serious when talking about history. Ramayana is epic. Indian Buddhist text like ashokvadhana are far older and authentic also ashoka inscriptions himself were discovered only after British so they're not just protected but also give us real info about mauryan empire. Many countries have such false claims that Buddha visited them, ashoka visited they're just exaggerations with no evidence not even mauryan inscriptional evidence so we can't take them as truth anymore.

Thanks Jer! Glad you found it useful. 🙏

My pleasure 😊

Glad to hear it mossbanksy, you’re very welcome!

My pleasure Sachi! 🙏

You're very welcome Rafael!

Thanks Sam, be well my friend. 🙏

You’re very welcome Tiffany. Glad you found it useful! 🙏

Thanks so much for the kind comment Aaron. I'm glad you're finding the videos worthwhile. 🙏

That’s very cool Jen, thanks for letting me know! I hope you enjoy your binge watching. 🙂

Me too.

Thanks for the suggestion, it's something I've done with a few topics in the past like mindfulness meditation.

You’re very welcome Phanasa Hansantiporn. Thank you for watching. 🙏

You’re very welcome Louis, thanks for watching and commenting!

As a Sri Lankan Buddhist, I would like to say that there is no Buddhist faith. We learn and we follow "buddha dharshnaya". It is a kind of philosophy. That will lead us to " nirvana" eventually. If you are interested in Buddhism I would like you to visit Sri Lanka.

Ah cool! 😄

Glad you enjoy it! 😄😄

Glad you enjoyed it!

Thanks for the comment!

Thank you Nadeeka! 🙏

🙏😊

Yes it is super interesting, but complicated! 🙂

Doug's Dharma yes absolutely, that’s why its great with some concise rundowns, saw the Mahayana, ready for the history of zen now :)

Thanks so much, I’m glad you’re finding the channel worthwhile! 🙏

You're very welcome! Thanks for watching.

You're very welcome Polimana! 🙏🙂

Thanks Peter! 🙏

No prob Doug! Would you recommend any books on Buddhist history?

Big topic Peter! You might want to start by checking out some of the books I suggested on early Buddhism, several include discussion of later material as well: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-UGNfiyRMkgw.html

😄 Glad you enjoyed!

🙏😊

Thanks Albert!

Great, glad to hear Teep009!

Thanks Tenzin! Glad you found it useful.

Yes, thanks Hendrick!

Thanks David! 🙏

Thanks Shifa!

You’re very welcome DeFyYing, I agree! If you want to learn more about the Buddha’s teachings take a look at the videos on my site. If you want a general intro to Buddhism you can also check out this playlist: ru-vid.com/group/PL0akoU_OszRjpRP1nwugCGAJF15oPbBLv 🙏

Try "Access to Insight"

I'm happy on your great choice of the Buddhism. It shows the correct path for all. Namo buddhaya.

tricycle.org/beginners/

😄Sorry JP, check out this video on the three major schools of Buddhism, it might clear up some confusions for you: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-FAazFDC8m6M.html

Thanks Chando.

You’re very welcome frank, thanks for watching. 🙏

My pleasure! 🙏

@@DougsDharma It's a pleasure to hear your voice and absorb your ideas, master. Life is very difficult for me, without a job, with a beautiful son to raise, I'm full of information in my head that Brazil doesn't know how to value, I'm broke, my family doesn't respect my philosophical skills... but still I'm firm and strong in the search for wisdom and love. Thank you very much, Doug. You help me maybe more than you imagine, although you can help me more than I imagine. (it seems to me that..., there is a difference between transforming and transcending. The transformation takes place through the lens of materialism: one thing ceases to be what it is to be something else. Transcendence is changing what it is, being something new, but keeping what it was before. Of course these are logically different things. The first happens because of objective Separation. The second because of the subjective Absolute. Even though we are enlightened by the path of Brahma, we will still be part of the Absolute, and we will not be separate. Illumination and light are the same thing: principle and attribute of the Absolute that makes itself exist in the Infinite for those who are still materialistic or have matter in form of being. Being enlightened is the Wisdom of feeling the pain to the point of not letting it become suffering due to ignorance, and not thinking that you will never feel pain again because you became enlightened. You are not separate, you are still absolute, only now for the release that takes place in understanding the Denial itself (of the egoistics objects in itself on subjective) and not of the Self.)

🙏🙂

You're very welcome Arya!

Thanks Riya So!

It's a good question Matthew. I'd like to know more about it as well, and if I can find anything particularly interesting and substantive I might make another video. It's a distinction that most recently is used in places like Thailand to distinguish between the forest dwellers (like Ajahn Chah) and the city based sangha. 🙂

You're very welcome Diogo! I'm happy to answer questions here on RU-vid ... 🙂

🙏🙂

Thanks Michael! 🙏

Hi Jacob, I did a video awhile back on Buddhists of other religions which deals with subjects such as the ones you raise: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-8wstShpo3Y8.html

Hello Maithri, and you’re very welcome! As to your points, the British monk was Ananda Metteyya (1872-1923). As to the Visuddhimagga, one difference between the presentation of dhamma there and in the suttas has to do with metta itself, which in the Visuddhimagga is directed towards oneself first and then towards certain specific people. In the suttas this is never done.

@@DougsDharma That is my bad!!! I'm sorry about that(about the ven thero) Anyway, with the second matter, In the visuddhimagga, it doesn't mean to direct metta towards one's self as part of metta exercise. It is done just as some sort of affirmation and proof. (something like warming up before the exercise) In the visuddhimagga itself, ven Buddhaghosha thero has written "Yes, it is true that there is no such metta meditation so as to direct metta towards one's self in suttas, but there is no conflict either by if someone is doing so. In the suttas, metta is described as a samadhi meditation. It is the exercise.It is one of the samatha meditation karmasthana to attain arpana samadhi(dyana). Here in visuddhimagga, directing metta towards one's self is not done to attain samadhi. Furthermore it is absolutely impossible to attain dyana by doing so. But the very reason to start with doing metta towards one's self is just as an affirmation and proof(I'm sorry I'm not 100% sure of the english term I'm using here, my english is not the best😐. But I think those words do the justice) of what we're doing" i.e directing metta towards others is coming wholeheartedly rather than just chanting the words on texts. In fact, doing metta to self is limited to maximum of 10-12 times before starting the exercise. Additionally, Lord Buddha has also taught that "There is no other being or other body for each individual who is pleasant and favourable than own selves" and hence it is imperative to direct loving kindness towards others just the way you do to yourself! You'll find some relevant suttas in "Sanyutta Nikaya, Kosala Sanyuttaya" Thank you!

It's called the Path of Purification. You should be able to find it pretty easily.

Yes it is a good book and very important in the Theravāda tradition.

Thanks G. Kapil for your message!

Well its bad fortune that some of Nayana Buddhist only read Buddha and his religion written by ambedker...... Ambedkar really never introduced practical Buddhism in that book , and for more misfortune he totally neglected meditation and other trance state phenomenon.. he miss translated rebirth..... I do not know why such great man done this ..may be Becoz of that time Indians are engaged in just philosophical debate about supernatural things... Its clear that ambedker never Belive in those things neither he has clear understanding of it ...any way new Buddhist must read suttapitika.. And its S N Goenka Becoz of his Buddhist practice start gating more attention in India I beleive one day Buddhism again flourish in India.....

@@mrunalmhatre9295 but we cannot ignore work done by ambedkar

he is pride...

@Contra Bodhi hi+

Indeed so CA. It can make a real difference.

I will be coming out with one soon on that topic! 🙏

If I could ask: how would you recommend someone starting with the Pali Canon/early texts? Would it better to amass them one by one? Or perhaps getting an anthology like the "In the Buddha's Words" series?@@DougsDharma

@@jmw5160 I'd recommend a book like that first, maybe I'll do a video on this eventually.

Yes, so far as I know traditional Theravāda follows the model of the early texts in this. The early texts do talk about all kinds of deities and supernatural creatures. However it is important to keep in mind that these are not considered central to the path. For more on this see my video on Buddhism and atheism: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-QOQiZbAPtW4.html . Also the notion of "chakras" in this context is a later addition, it is not found in the early texts.

Thank You. i am familiar with major deities and demi gods, but not the tree spirits or fairies.

Hi Benjamin, yes I've got a copy and have read around it. I'm familiar with Thanissaro's work. Thanks!

That's right Paul. I think also there are different levels at which we can teach. It's sort of like a fractal situation, when you look from 20,000 feet it looks one way, and it's perfectly fine to teach that way, but when you get down to ground level it looks quite different. Newtonian mechanics works at the ordinary level, but not at the level of the very small or very fast. When you get deeper then you see more nuances and realize that there's a lot we really don't know, but we make our best guesses at.

@Aish Ick Chowdhury I think Buddhism survived long after the end of Mauryas or Sungas. Guptas were very well known to promote buddhism through out India. I think Buddhist practices degenerated in India, particularly after Nagarjuna and couple that with revival of Hinduism and basic assimilation of Buddhist practices into Hinduism - especially extra importance given to non-violence and vegeterianism - buddhism as a separate religion became redundant and absorbed into Hinduism.

​@@DougsDharma It may also be a fetter of views to contemplate and debate history too much, as it could distract a person away from what is essential . . topics that are essential are said to all fall in the category of The Four Noble Truths. - The fact that there is stress. - The cause of stress. - The end of stress. - The path to end the cause of stress. I recently listened to an audio recorded about a Sutta titled "A Fetter of Views", and hope that this comment is beneficial.

Thanks Free Alter! Glad you found it useful.

I think this is a feature with all religions and belief systems: most people adopt them just because they are culturally expected to, and then they don't really follow them.

They do teach Theravada it just most of them can't obey the Theravada rules and don't know the purpose of it.

Thanks for your comment Ajit! 🙏

no buddha is not everywhere. Buddha is gone and thats what buddhism is all about. Ending the suffering once and for all; ceasing to exist. Ending thd sansara. Only one still there is the maithree bodhisattva ; the next one to become a buddha.

You’re very welcome Suresh! Yes I think there is a lot to learn, which is what keeps me making videos. 🙂

@@DougsDharma . Thank you so much for taking your valuable time to reply me. I don't mind even you don't reply to me, because maybe I'll comment to your videos regularly.

Suresh don’t worry, I’ll only comment if I have something to say! 🙂🙏

@@DougsDharma . That is good. I can understand.

That could be part of what went on, though historically my understanding is that "greater vehicle" was a designation intended to elevate the practice in a sectarian sense. That is, it was a description provided by the practitioners themselves as encompassing a greater vision of the practice.

Hi poikkiki, glad it was entertaining! It’s hard to choose books on Theravada without knowing your interests. I have one linked in the description box below the video. You may also want to check out these videos. Books on early Buddhism: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-UGNfiyRMkgw.html Key texts of Buddhism: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-dYNWDFOBtQg.html

Doug's Secular Dharma Thanks! Im very interested in books that complement my meditation practice (that are not centered around meditation in itself). I think Ill start with the suttas, in particular the recollection by Bhikkhu Bodhi :)

Great! Of course there are scores of books out by Theravāda monastics and laypeople on almost every topic, many are available for free on the web. 🙂

Search Ven Robina Courtin in you tube, her sermons are good, and I would recommend them. As a Buddhist of Sri Lankan origin we have a lot of material and am very great full for that, I only wish more and more English translations are done to reach and heal more people.

I recommend "Wings to Awakening: An Anthology of the Pali Canon"

I haven't heard that one Benjamin. The question would be what the evidence is. 🙂

They are a very modern variety of Buddhism, and at the moment I don't think I know enough to do a video though I might someday.

Hi o smyth07 and thanks for the questions. You certainly don’t need to belong to any particular school of Buddhism to practice, though it may make it easier and less confusing at least to start with one that resonates with you and work from there. I wouldn’t worry too much about ‘being a Buddhist’, instead focusing on practice. With information from the internet and some books you can practice well anywhere, though having a sangha can be a problem in many parts of the world. If you can’t find one nearby that you like, consider online options or look for local meditation/MBSR teachers who may run meditation classes informally.

I think the best method for learning Buddhism is from books.The most important book you must read is tipitaka. try in this site g.co/kgs/NZkb9a

Hi Cleo Mom and thanks for the questions. As to vegetarianism it's complicated. In general Mahāyāna Buddhists are vegetarians, although many Tibetan Buddhists are not vegetarian, although they are Mahāyāna Buddhists. In general Theravādins are not vegetarians although some are. I did a video on the early history of this here: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-r5oncPD7jKo.html . As to your second question, that's a big one too. Yes, in my opinion Buddhism is a way of life, a practice that we live by, rather than just a set of rituals. I've done videos on several of these topics before in case you are interested. One on the Buddha's views of prayer is here: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-HYfYXYbZE20.html . 🙂🙏

@@DougsDharma Reg. vegetarianism and Buddhism, your remarks reg. Theravada Buddhism, Tibetan Buddhism etc makes sense. I have heard that the reason that a large number vegetarians exist (or existed) in India is due to influence from King Ashoka who in turn was influenced by Buddhism. A story I have heard is after a particular war, Ashoka was hurting for the lives lost on both sides and turned to Buddhism. Since Buddha taught not to harm other living beings, King Ashoka extended that to animals as well. So when he funded the spread of Buddhism, part of the teaching was to not kill animals for food which may have influenced Mahayana Buddhism (as it came later). Just my conjecture..Again thank you for your excellent videos.

Yes thanks Cleo Mom. I have an earlier video on King Asoka if that interests you: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-V4894Ug8Y3c.html

@@DougsDharma And just when I was wondering who King Asoka was, you provided a link.. thank you Doug.

I haven't, though I did an earlier video on women in Buddhism: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-864ksDOZwXk.html

That's a great question Andie but a bit too big for me to get into here! 😀 I have an earlier video on women in Buddhism that will answer some of your questions: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-864ksDOZwXk.html . If you have any additional ones let me know!

@@DougsDharma Thank you so much! I will definitely check it out :)

Thanks for that Richard. I actually did another video about the difference between sudden and gradual enlightenment: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-p0tI1ZjiIQ4.html

Yes, and texts like Buddhaghosa’s Visuddhimagga, at least textually speaking. There are also a lot of other local practices.

@@DougsDharma dear Doug whatever the local practice which is not going with pali tripitaka and its commentaries not theravada

Thanks for your thoughts Charles. Mahāyāna schools also care about lineage and authenticity of dharma, although they do see them differently.

As I emphasized the lineage of ordination in Theravada, in my previous comment that it can be traced back to the "thera" or elders or the direct disciple of Buddha and finally Buddha himself. _Where does the Mahayana lineage of ordination can be traced back to? Most probably to the monk who created this schism in Buddhism during the second century_ There's a big question mark *(?) as to the authenticity of Mahayana sect of Buddhism. To begin with, the schism was started by the monks who were Brahmans. They wanted to change and incorporate their Hindu philosophy and doctrine into Pali Canon when the elders refused that's when the Mahayana sect started. Well this will be completely a different topic to debate on.

Thanks for your thoughts Charles. No doubt the sutras upon which much Mahāyāna dharma is based are apocryphal. That said, the claim they make that those late sutras give the correct interpretation of the Buddha dharma is subtle. Check out the video I just posted on the history of the Mahāyāna: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-wi_hqpIu-vk.html

After getting to know real Teravada Buddhism ,even born as a Teravada Buddhist in Sri Lanka, since lack or real Dhamma teachers in the whole country ,the pure True Dhamm ,what Our Great Lord Buddha has preached was not been taught. Found a true 1.5 years ago a Teacher who has learnt and unerstood the Tripitakaya and Attakatha which has 114 odd books written down in pali (dead language). Which has been brought down according to our Lord Buddhas instructions ,even with regards to the language that been used , pali since been a dead language ,it will not evolve with time so the real Dhamma will last untill people Believe and practice precepts etc. According to our (teachings of Lord Buddha ) Tipitakaya and Attakatha it is mentioned that the " True real teachings are contained (true Dhamma) , is only in "TERAVADA Buddhism " ,and also it means "High priests/monks " like monks who attained Arahath ! So all the others are not Real Buddhism or real Teachings of Lord Buddha . As mentioned emperor Ashok once he understood his position in Teravada Buddhism and his duties what was expected of him by our Maha Arahath Kashyapa Thero,While the emperor was trying to gather all the relics of our Lord Buddha to one place. He found the message that been kept centuries prior by the great Kashyapa Maha Arahath thero to the emperor Ashok ,in a gold canon which indicated that he will spread this Gauthama Buddha's , Universal Truth [the mechanism of Animal ,Awakasha ,Sanskara Worlds and how to stop this neverending cycle] .And when the emperor found he was delighted that he was been seen etc and was soo dissapointed that this presious true dhamma will dissappear in near future from region due to Adharmic invaders,rules and only survive until end of this Sasanaya in Sri Lanka.So he did what he had been expected to do by sending his son ,the great Maha Arahath Mihindu Thero and Sangamiththa Teraniya to Sri Lanka to establish Teravada Buddhism . Yes to deminish Greed Anger Ignoranc,to stop the cycle , one has to believe with life in Our great lord Buddha , and Dhamma ,Gangha .And have to practice to start at least with five precepts again with life !Then by further studying Tipitakaya(Dhamma ) and Attakatha (meaning of Dhamma ).And armsgiving to practice (let go possession )and finally by doing Vidarshana /Vipassana meditation only ,only one can deminish Greed Anger Ignorance from its root ,that the enlightenment can be achieved!!! No ,other Mahayana ,Zen,Thantrayana ,Vajirajaya etc can diminish Greed Anger Ignorance and attain enlightenment .They may do samatha meditation and attain super unnatural powers and dyana but not the Arahath (enlightenment ).

@@charleswey4895 This isn't actually true. For starters, the schism between the Mahasanghikas and Sthavira Nikaya was over innovations to the Vinaya; though the Theravada and Mahayana accounts differ on the precise details they both agree on this. It wasn't until later, with the debates over the fallibility of Arhats, that the disagreements moved in the direction of doctrine, but even this doesn't imply any Hindu influence on the monks. There's no evidence that the split was caused by Brahmins interpolating their previous beliefs into the canon. And as an aside, it's a bit ride to dismiss Mahayana as merely "Hindu with a Buddhist face" without authenticity. I suggest learning about Mahayana from Mahayana sources, and come at it knowing that the majority of Mahayana monks are sincere in their desire to teach Buddhism.

That’s a difficult one to answer. Check out this video for some thoughts on a similar question on early Buddhism: Differences Between Early Buddhism and Theravada: an Essay By Bhante Sujato ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-rQ832y7n1bc.html

@@DougsDharma Thank you so much!

@@DougsDharma the video you suggested is extremely helpful

You're very welcome Thilina, maybe someday!

That's totally up to you Doyle. Do whatever you feel is best for you now.

I have a video on Right Speech that would include truthfulness: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-YfxV12gryGA.html . The 10 perfections are actually a later teaching, they aren't part of early Buddhism. But I'll put it on the list for consideration. 🙂

@@DougsDharma Thanks! Are you sure? I mean I listen Thanissaro Bhikku, you probably know him, even he talks about and gives lectures about 10 Perfections, and he explicitly says that these Perfections didn't come with Mahayana and it was there in the Theravada at the beginning.

Yes, what Thānissaro is saying is that the Theravāda didn't get them from the Mahāyāna (where they are more prominent). They seem to stem from the late canonical period. They don't appear in the suttas or to my knowledge the Vinaya.

@@DougsDharma Thanks for clarifying. Do you think could a young lay man get Enlightened with following the Path and doing the work necessary, while also enjoying some worldly activities? Like having sex, having a gf, trying to earn money for his future? Thanks for advices Doug, they are helpful as always.

I wouldn't hazard a guess on that one. I can tell you what the Buddha said about that in the early texts: that is, that one basically has to be a monastic or live like a monastic to be fully awakened. But really, the most important thing is making progress along the path and finding how your life changes for the better along the way. Leave the future to itself. 🙂

You're very welcome Ricardina! The early texts don't really say for sure about this, but it's generally believed that laypeople can attain nibbāna, however if they do they basically will end up living a monastic lifestyle since they will have given up all attachments. So long as a layperson wants to remain "attached" to family, home, business, etc., they will not attain nibbāna.

Thank you! Yes, it makes sense. 🤗👍

The Nikāyas and their parallels in other languages are all we have of the Buddha. But not everything in the Nikāyas is authentic; telling the difference is a matter of scholarship and will always remain somewhat speculative and controversial, but it’s all we have. I wouldn’t worry yourself too much about unanswerable questions, what’s most important is your day to day practice.

@@DougsDharma Thank you for making it clear

Well that's not a quick or easy question to answer. Tibetan Buddhism is generally speaking a blend of Mahāyāna and Vajrayāna Buddhism. So if you see my videos on those two schools you will get some sense of it. My playlist on the history of Buddhism is here: ru-vid.com/group/PL0akoU_OszRjn4gXp46Q8cMPB0t9FAH0C it includes those videos. 🙂

India is soo happy with the Dalai Lama in India❤. Long live holiness Dalai Lama.

Yes they are an interesting sect. Had they not disappeared with the disappearance of Buddhism in India they might be around today. That said, distinguishing them from other forms of Buddhism gets deep into the weeds. I’m not sure I entirely understand it myself. If I can get round to understanding it and feeling like I can make it simple enough to do here I will. But probably not right away. 🙂

@@DougsDharma Maybe you know the links allready : www.ahandfulofleaves.org/documents/Pudgalavada%20Buddhism_Priestely.pdf www.iep.utm.edu/pudgalav/ I have just read the second, the article but not the book yet. English is not my first language, which makes ist even more difficult ; )

🙏🙂

Hi Kiley, the correct pronunciation is like terra-vada. There is no “th” sound in Pāli, which is where the word comes from.

Theyth-ra-Vadth เถรวาท in Thai Accent.

Yes Pure Land and Amitabha Buddha are Mahāyāna teachings. I may do a video on them eventually.

For my own views, see: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-yTxKgz8MeWg.html

You are welcome to use the ideas in the video, of course. Though if it's involved in a research project like you suggest then indeed, it's important to cite your source. 🙂

Thank you very much!! Its very informative and it will be a great addition to our study. Thanks again! :D

I don’t believe so. In fact as I understand it they lack several of the early texts in translation. (Also, be aware that “Hinayāna” is a pejorative and not the same as Theravāda).

@@DougsDharma really? I thought it just meant small vehicle or small basket! Why is it considered derogatory?

@@jupiterinaries6150 It's deregatory to equalize Theravada to Hinayana. But Hinayana is actually a Northern Buddhism whereas Theravada is Southern Buddhism.

@@2557carla yes so I've learned thank you and also the polemics associated with certain Mahayana Sutras towards the non-mahayana also reflects this. Thank you.

Indeed so Chando. This is one of the best practices, though sometimes it can be difficult!

most of sri lankan do