Best Of
Re: what are the difference between mahayana and theravada?
what are the difference between mahayana and theravada?One is a Yana and the other is not.
Theraveda is a tradition/lineage much like Kagyu, and Zen are. Kagyu and Zen are a part of the Mahayana
and who were the bodhisattvas such as manjushri, avalokitesvara, vajrapani, and etc. where were they come from?"What" might be a more appropriate question. These Bodhisattvas may or may not be real beings, but in practical terms it may be better to view them as representative of qualities of "enlightened being".
yes, they are mentioned in various suttras as if they were real. And Lamas such as the Dalai Lama and Karmapa are said to be manifestations of Avalokiteshvara. But you have to consider what "real" means in the context of Mahayana teaching. And this:
were they unseeable by normal people?They'll say yes. Bodhisattvas, such as Avalokiteshvara, are said to be emanations in the Sambogakaya, which is unseen but beings such as ourselves.
If you're just getting started, I wouldn't worry about this stuff. There are more important things for you to study and practice right now.
Chaz
Re: what are the difference between mahayana and theravada?
Mahayana practitioners aren't all vegetarians. I am not.
I don't agree that you need to study theravada first. I started with mahayana and I did just fine.
Jeffrey
Re: My Dharma practice today
Due to circumstances/karma I am being given 27 seconds to edit my last post. Normally it is 4 hours (our beloved Moderators incl. @Linc trust me to be reasonably goodly in that allotted time)
However it is a trick bot (that thanks to @Linc I am aware of)
Just remember our postings here are paid for and moderated freely. This is Sangha. You lucky people...
"You need the Vanilla.Comments.Edit permission to do that" - Thank the Buddha I do not have that responsibility. Dharma could take a very strange turn in its grave... 
...and now back to today as Practice
lobster
Re: Meditation and mental health
If you are close to a forest or countryside it good to wander around there. Connecting with nature does wonders for one's mental health.
Shoshin1
Re: Meditation and mental health
@Tavs said:
And thanks Jeroen and Jeffrey for the advice about meditation. It never occurred to me that I might need to do less.
No problem. Too much meditation can cause a variety of issues that look like mental health problems, in those who are sensitive. You’ll find that at meditation retreats they often ask about a background of mental health problems in the family, and may refuse entry to the retreat if there are enough “red flags” in someone’s application. The reason for this is that some people can suffer a breakthrough with accompanying mental health issues, sometimes even psychosis, during a retreat.
As far as I’m concerned, meditation doesn’t have to be done in long sessions to get the benefits. Something like 10 or 20 minutes a day can be enough.
Jeroen
Re: Meditation and mental health
Hey Tavs,
Since I find so much benefit, I joke that I'm the sports guru and that if I did not exercise on a particular day I don't get to complain.
Pretty much every single mental health resource of any approach will advocate exercise. If you aren't already, go exercise!
In addition to anxiety and depression, it will improve literally 100 other things.
marcitko
Re: Meditation and mental health
I have mental health issues and I also adjust meditation durations when I am having symptoms. Shorter sessions. Also walking meditation can be good for depression because it gets the body going. Mindfulness during and between meditations can help you stay in the present and to "be with" difficult thoughts, feelings, and sensations. I like the RAIN exercise that psychologist and spiritualist Tara Brach talks about.
Jeffrey
Re: Meditation and mental health
I’d recommend keeping meditation sessions to not more than 20 minutes, or even to stop entirely for a while. Sometimes meditation can make things surface which are not ideal for normal living, and it’s best to take a cue from the normal mind, and just let things settle for a month or so.
I have some experience with mental health and meditation, and have worked as an expert-by-experience in the mental health field. It’s common for people with mental health difficulties to cut back on meditation when they’re not feeling well.
Jeroen
Re: Meditation and mental health
Do you have access to mental health care/help? I would strongly suggest that….i say that bec depression and anxiety usually can’t be addressed with just spirituality alone.
Vastmind
Re: Liberation for all sentient beings
Can you teach non-attachment to views if you are attached to views?
I don't know about that but I do think we can do virtuous things for each other. What is sangha for if that is not the case?
Jeffrey