Western Buddhism this context is Buddhism practiced in the U.S. Which feels cold to me.
I think a lot of Atheists join because they hear Buddhism is non-theistic and they make this form of Buddhism more Mind training and lose the Devas spiritual presence and make them more mental.
I understand that Useful Skills applies to anyone who uses them and is different for some people however I swear I think they see the meditation and the mindfulness of Buddhism and don’t read or understand the more spiritual aspects. So it just feels cold to me.

I swear anything that becomes Westernised becomes cold in my opinion.

Do you have any opinions on this? Do you have background into why Western Buddhism is so cold?

Hi, I'm a transgender man from a non-Western country where queer identities are not well known, are viewed negatively and are criminalized. I want to start going to a Buddhist temple and specifically talk to a Lama about some challenges in my practice, but I don't know how to go about it.

I don't "pass" perfectly, and I worry I might have to explain my situation, which feels uncomfortable. I don't know what to do if they tell me my identity is a bad thing or a flaw I should work on. I know Lamas are not infallible, but receiving that kind of response would still be really wounding. Ultimately, I just want to practice without having to lie or mask, and to be treated like any other male practitioner.

Do you have any advice for me on how to approach this?

Hi everyone,

I have always regarded Buddhism as a discovery made by the Buddha Shakyamuni (Siddhartha Gautama). Much of my trust in his teachings came from the fact that this noble and earnest seeker discovered the truth about suffering and the end of suffering under the Bodhi Tree.

Recently, I became interested in Diamond Way Buddhism, or Vajrayana. However, I learned that the teachings transmitted in the Kagyu lineage originate with Tilopa, who is said to have received them from the Primordial Buddha (Adi-Buddha), known as Vajradhara.

So I find myself wondering: who exactly am I placing my trust in if I decide to take refuge in these teachings?

There is also talk of the power field of this lineage. So, what kind of power field am I entering? Is this still Buddhism?

Recently I have been finding that I keep on having these incredible experiences of crazy coincidental, serendipitous events happening, and it's been blowing my mind a bit.

Example: I go for a walk in nature and see a rare and unique animal and then the next day or the day after my guru gets given a plush toy version of this animal.

Or yesterday I share a Buddhist chant on another sub and then today someone mentions an extremely uncommon and esoteric movie titled with one of the Pali words used in that chant.

There's just been this wild feeling of synchronicity. Some might write it off and say there's nothing to it, but for me it's been quite a trip.

I'm about to turn 30 soon and I have to say I've never felt more sensitive and in tune and in harmony and interconnected with nature and the world and other beings, and it's such a beautiful feeling that I can't put words to which makes me want to both smile and cry just because of how beautiful and touching it is.

I just feel so incredibly deeply blessed!

My dear cat died of old age this week. She was big part of my life and would love for her to have a better rebirth. I am saying mantras and will be doing special prayers and good deeds/donations at weekly anniversary of her passing to benefit her and all beings. However it occurred to me that although she can’t be intentionally earning good karma (due to lack of critical thinking), unintentionally she has given me joy and love that made my life better. Would that count as good karma and help her with a better rebirth?

Pretty heavy, 25cm high. Cast/ hollow. bottom cutting marks.
Antique Store find. Avalokiteśvara or Shiva?

Auspicious blessings everyone!

I have a question regarding the many realms of Samsara and how they appear to us.

So,I understand Devas,Pretas,Demons and other lesser spirits inhabit our own worldspace but they are unseen to the untrained eye.

But are the other planes (e.g Naraka) actual physical places,that we just can't see because we weren't born in them?

I read somewhere that Devas for example can dwell in a specific house or tree in our realm,does this tree also exist in their own Deva realm?Like a mirror world?For example it overlaps with our own,but we can't actually see it.

Like if one develops Heavenly Eye,we see the Deva in our realm but it is actually in their actual heaven abode, that looks exactly like our own because Samsara overlaps.

I don't know if it's clear enough but this question about cosmology really made me think,thanks in advance!!

Bodhisattvas who can hear prayers are those at the eighth bhumi or higher; those at lower levels cannot hear the prayers of others unless they are nearby. For example, if a murderer is about to kill you and you call out for help through a mental prayer to a bodhisattva (at levels 1 through 7), they will not hear you unless they happen to be passing by.

Because if so and there was a way to eliminate all of existence and therefore suffering in an instant, would it not be the right thing to do?

Just out of curiosity, have anyone here had a chance encounter of unusual human beings with spiritual ability, in the context of Buddhism, in a big western cities, while say you were walking past the street, queuing, or taking the underground?

While it might be a common conception that those holy beings typically reside in isolated region, or in an monastery, I am willing to believe that some, if not many, also secretly reside in our daily society without making a fuse of their own existence, secreting practicing/protecting the Buddha Dharma.

There is a say in the Chinese mystical tradition -- both Taoism and Buddhism -- that the great hide-out is in the city, and the great practice is in the worldly matters. These are no mere analogy, as historically there was a culture of 'cloud travel' practice in these traditions.

I will greatly cherish the information if anyone here would share such an encountering!

im not a spiritual person, never have been, and dont even necessarily have any interest in becoming one. ive been having a rough time the last couple of months with my mental health and such, feeling disconnected from myself and not really knowing what to do about it. im slightly interested in the structure of buddhism as a way to regain control of my thoughts and emotions and to kind of guide my life the way i need it to go. i tried (what feels like) just jumping in the deep end by looking up the foundations of buddhism, but theres no clear starting point. does anyone have any advice?

edit and disclaimer: i am uninterested in the spirituality of the religion. i respect and will accept any advice regarding it, but just for clarity, it is highly unlikely that i will began believing in (particularly) nirvana, rebirth, etc. as truth. however i am purposely using tentative language as i think i am a very open minded person, so lay it on me anyway!

Namu Amida Butsu

“It is now the period of the decline of the Dharma, but not even one hundred years have elapsed. Our karmic unvirtues may be grave, yet we have not committed the five grave offenses. Amida Buddha will save the masses one hundred years after the period of the extinction of the Dharma; how much more benevolence will there be for us living today? Amida Buddha does not abandon the most vile of beings who have committed the five grave offenses. He most certainly would not abandon us. You, with the threefold devotional heart, should recite the name of Amida Buddha exclusively. Never doubt the essential vow, not even for a moment.
In spite of this, there may be some people who interpret this teaching in their own negative way, thinking, “If I cannot prevent wrongdoings, unwholesome acts can be as acceptable as I want. Further, if a single utterance of nembutsu suffices for the certain attainment of birth in the Pure Land, I need not repeat it many times.” Such misguided people appear and say, “A bad person is excusable and the recitation of nembutsu may be minimized.” This is grievous.
No teaching of Buddha Śākyamuni encourages committing wrongdoings “or putting an end to virtues. Master Shan-tao, therefore, admonished, “Do not entertain the worldly passions of greed and anger.”158 He taught, “Continue the recitation of nembutsu without cessation throughout your life.”159 And he encouraged, “Recite nembutsu fifty or sixty thousand times, up to one hundred thousand “times daily.”160
These statements urge us to believe that a single utterance and ten recitations of nembutsu are sufficient to achieve birth in the Pure Land because the recitation of nembutsu has the following merits: the great compassionate essential vow embraces all sentient beings; Amida Buddha saves even those who have committed the ten transgressions or the five grave offenses; and nembutsu surpasses all other practices for birth in the Pure Land”

The Promise of Amida Buddha

Is there like I don’t know a dating app for Sanghas?
Like I know it cool to have a community but is it required? I believe it is since my spirituality says so but if we can’t find the right people do just keeping looking and still lonely until we find the right people?
Who knows? But in all seriousness?

Where do I find a Sangha?

My parents man. They're constantly fighting. I remember this since I was a small kid. The fights aren't much physical apart from grabbing but verbal abuse and shouting amongst each other is rampant. Idk how but I'm drained. When I was small I used to cry and try to console them but I'm in my early twenties and figured out there's nothing really I can do. Both of them have the emotional understanding and maturity of a teen. Super big egos, no negotiation skills and always want other person to bend . It's eating me up. I haven't found peace. I am always anxious and jittery. I cannot connect with people and cannot maintain relationships. I'm insecure and always dependant on people's perception of mine and overthink on that a lot. I am self aware but that's literally IT. I can't fix my house or my issues. Please help me. I want to live a fulfilling and happy life. It's not that I'm sxidal or anything. I just want to live a stress free life where not only physically but also mentally I'm free from all this bs. Please help out a brother in pain 🙏🙏🙏 It's hurting so much

Hello, ive been practicing for a couple years and its changed my life. When I first studied, I would get obsessed with speculating it all, but I eventually learned how to relate to my overthinking through the practice. Its calmed down alot, but every now and then I do start to speculate consciousness, the convention of words and meaning, the emptyness of connotation and start to wonder and wonder. Then I can be left feeling groundless. But I remember the impermanace of these things, that theyre conditioned and therefore not mine. You all know the saying, "the Dhamma is like a boat, once you reach shore you dont need it", ofc practice still works after all the mental noise. But even then I can be left with "why?" does practice work? Even THEN I see a pointlessnes in asking why. Why can imply so many things, why to who, from what vantage point? This silly silly brain thinks its smart. Im tired of it... it will never be happy with these silly silly words. I still have the machinery in me, to want to know, as if it would matter. It could matter if I wished enough, but would it forever? does it reduce suffering? Whats your experience with overthinking? May all beings be free from suffering, Namo Buddhaya 🙏

Hey! My first post.

I'm interested in Buddhism, I went to a temple near me and meditated with a monk on a trip to Japan. I try to learn about it and do prayer/meditation.

Right now my (family) dog might be sick (throwing up) and I'm worried. I know that my attachment to him might cause me suffering when I worry.

Are there any Prayers I can do to calm my mind or to pray for good health for him?

Hello! I’m new to Buddhism and I was thinking about maybe buying a statue for my room if I can find one, but I was wondering if I do buy a statue, do I also need to make an altar for it/make offerings? And if so what kind and how often? I’m also that much new that I don’t really know who to get a statue of. I was thinking Budai if that’s allowed? Any help is greatly appreciated 🙏 Happy weekend! 🕺

I want people who are currently suffering on the inside to be free from that pain so they can fully focus on the present moment so that they don't die tragically in that very pain.

I know metta meditation could heal heartbreak but at the same time I dont know how to explain or show them that it can help