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Few little questions.
In Buddhism do you need to remain celibate even if you are in a very serious relationship or you are engaged to be married.
Secondly are Buddhists , pacifists.
Finally do you have names of some good books that can give me a good insight into Buddhism.
Thank you.
Daniel Hall.
Secondly are Buddhists , pacifists.
Finally do you have names of some good books that can give me a good insight into Buddhism.
Thank you.
Daniel Hall.
0
Comments
You don't need to do anything. You make your own decisions. You learn to do so skillfully and mindfully through the Buddha's teachings. You'll find people here who choose to practice celibacy, some who do not.
Not necessarily. Buddhism promotes non-harm but things are not so black and white and you'll find many Buddhists with many opinions. Again, see my answer above.
Rather than specific books I would recommend a few authors: Ajahn Chah, Buddhadasa Bhikkhu, Ajahn Sumedho, Prayudh Payutto Bhikkhu... Many of their writings can be found online here: http://www.what-buddha-taught.net/
I can only speak from my own tradition:
In Tibetan Buddhism, celibacy is for monks and nuns. We are advised to refrain from sexual misconduct, but not from sex itself.
In Buddhism we are advised not to hurt other living beings ... I'm not sure how one can refrain from hurting other living beings and not be a pacifist! Perhaps this no more than interpretation or semantics.
My favorite beginning book is Good Life, Good Death by Gehlek Rimpoche (Tibetan Buddhism). This gives you the full taste of Buddhism, but not the "recipe" for Buddhism.
No,celibacy isn't necessary unless you've taken vows to be celibate.
Buddhists believe in kindness to others and non-harming.
I recommend the same authors as Valtiel. You might also like to read ''Anguttara Nikaya Anthology'' selected and translated from the Pali by Nyanaponika Thera and Bhikkhu Bodhi .
Kind regards,
Dazz
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The First precept is that we should do no harm to any living sentient being.
Intention is all, an accidental or unintentional harm is quite different. Also, Self-defence is not forbidden, nor frowned upon....
Lama Surya Das, the 'Awakening' trilogy, are good ones to start with. Also, The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying, by Sogyal Rinpoche.
Bhikku Buddhadasa
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No, of course not. Only the people who have taken a vow of celibacy (e.g., monks, nuns, etc.) are expected to remain celibate.
Yes and no. It depends on who you ask, but I'd say that the Buddha wouldn't be against non-combative positions in the military per se. However, the Buddha, much like the Jains, stressed the principle of ahimsa or harmlessness. The main purpose of warfare is to kill others, and the Buddha was clearly of the opinion that killing rarely benefits anyone, if ever.
Buddhists don't have to be pacifists, and many of the Buddha's lay-followers were kings who actively engaged in warfare, but pacifism is definitely inline with the first precept and the principle of ahimsa. I suggest checking out Thanissaro Bhikkhu's essay "Getting the Message" for one perspective.
Concerning online resources, I'd advise Access to Insight, especially their section for suggested entry points to their site entitled Beginnings. It also has a sizable library of books, essays and sutta translations.
Concerning books, I'd advise Bhikkhu Bodhi's The Middle Length Discourses of the Buddha: A Translation of the Majjhima Nikaya, Richard Gombrich's How Buddhism Began: The Conditioned Genesis of the Early Teachings, and the co-authored Buddhist Religions: A Historical Introduction.