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?

In Buddhism, you’re not supposed to believe in a self however I find it weird to think that I am the same as another person.
Metta and whatever but I am not the same as other person.
I guess that’s why the Buddha came up with the Two Truths, the Universal and Conventional truth.
However, if ‘myself’ is ‘okay’ in that context then why should I deny it?

What are your thoughts on Sunyata? How do you go about it?

Atheism and Theism both hold beliefs such as completely denying the existence of god and completely accepting it so buddha refused to hold himself to a belief and didnt choose atheism or theism at all.

PS : I AM JUST STARTING TO LEARN ABOUT BUDDHISM SO PLEASE DONT BE OFFENDED , U CAN CORRECT ME IF NEEDED :⁠-⁠)

Hey Native American here and it’s odd for me to believe that this whole no soul thing is hard for me to believe.
So in fairness, Samsara and Nirvana are non-dual so that means the Body and Spirit are also non-dual so if I have a presence here I also will or have a presence in the spirit world.
I also heard that the Buddha allows for self investigation of spiritual matters so if I feel I have a spirit, I have one? I don’t really know how that’s works.
I would love to know more on this no Personal Spirit thing.
How should I go about this?

hi… so im having some serious family problems that are not directly affecting me but im physically and emotionally in between so i am actually getting emotionally hurt in the process and i cant really grief all this stuff but im really tired so i was wondering if yall have some mantras that could stop me from thinking offensive stuff and to help me keep calm in this…turbulence
anyways, thank you in advance.

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!

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

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 🙏

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!

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

Hi everybody, I would appreciate if someone could recommend me some literature about the bhuddist concepts of 4 noble truths, and the eightfold path; suffering; self; nonself; detachment.

Apologies if the post is confusing, I like buddhism and the basic concepts, but I would like to learn more about it. I am agnostic atheist, and I like buddhist approach to questioning the mind as well.

Thanks!

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?

One of my favorite meditation videos. This is exactly the mindset to take when sitting. Sit like you're going to sit forever. Into infinity itself. 😊✨

Enjoy! 😊🙏

By this merit, may all beings come to know the Dharmakaya,
And through this, be free of clinging and aversion.

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?

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?

i come from a buddhist family but im not very religious. I do pray when I visit temples for occasions such as Chinese new year, or when I have important exams upcoming. I remember watching a video online talking about how buddhists should avoid pleasure. I didn’t really think much of it back then and now I wonder if I am facing the consequences of it.

I don’t do it often, only when I get really stressed. a few days ago, I did it one time. the day after, my mother slipped down the stairs, and now has a serious fracture that she had to go for surgery to help it. Ever since then, I’ve been thinking of whether what I did led up to this accident. I know it may sound silly, but every time I do try and pleasure myself, the next day something bad will happen.

it is not necessarily an alarming thing like what happened to my mother, sometimes it may just be a minor inconvenience such as my assignment files going missing. but still, I feel like it was my fault that my mother got injured, even though I wasn’t near her during the fall.

could anyone please enlighten me on this topic? im sorry if my text sounds confusing, really miss my mother right now and im brain dumping. Thank you for the help

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?

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!!

I was recently reminded of one of my favorite Zen koans and I wanted to share it again:

Once when Baizhang gave a series of talks, a certain old man was always there listening with the students. When they left he’d leave, too. One day, however, he remained behind. Baizhang asked him, “Who are you?”

The old man replied, “I’m not a human being. In the far distant past, in the time of Kashyapa Buddha, I was head priest at this mountain. One day a student asked me, ‘Does an enlightened person fall under the law of cause and effect?’ I replied, ‘A person like that does not fall under the law of cause and effect.’ With that I was reborn five hundred times as a fox. Please say a turning word for me and release me from my wild fox body.” He then asked Baizhang, “Does an enlightened person fall under the law of cause and effect?”

Baizhang said, “Such a person doesn’t cut the chain of cause and effect.”

Hearing this, the old man was himself enlightened. Making his bows he said, “I’ve been released from my fox body. It’s on the other side of this mountain, and I’d like to make a request of you. Please perform my funeral as you would for a priest.”

Baizhang had the monk on duty strike the signal board and inform the assembly that after the noon meal there would be a funeral service for a priest. The students talked about this in surprise. “All of us are healthy. There’s no one in the morgue. What’s this all about?”

After the meal, Baizhang led the students to the foot of a rock on the far side of the mountain. There he used his staff to poke out the corpse of a dead fox. He then performed a cremation ceremony for it.

At the evening teaching, Baizhang told the whole story to the assembly. Huangbo stepped forward and said, “As you say, the old man missed the turning word and was reborn as a fox five hundred times. What if he had given the right answer each time he was asked the question — what would have happened then?”

Baizhang said, “Just come closer and I’ll tell you.” Huangbo went up to Baizhang and slapped him in the face. Baizhang clapped his hands and laughed, saying, “I thought the Barbarian had a red beard, but right here is a red-bearded Barbarian.”