e‑Buddhism.com
Answers

Buddhism FAQ

Honest, sourced answers to the questions people actually ask about Buddhism. Each one links to a fuller guide where every claim is traced to a named text, and — where the traditions differ — the difference is named rather than smoothed over.

Most-asked questions

These get a full, dedicated answer page of their own.

Do Buddhists believe in God?

Buddhism posits no eternal creator God, yet its cosmos is full of gods who are themselves unenlightened — and Mahāyāna adds devotional Buddha-figures.

Is the Buddha a god?

No — the Buddha was a human being who awakened, not a god or creator. Mahāyāna, though, understands his nature as far more than an ordinary man.

What happens after death in Buddhism?

Buddhism teaches rebirth, not annihilation: karma shapes the next life after death, unless one reaches nirvana. Traditions differ on the journey between lives.

Getting Started

14 guides · 74 questions

Best Buddhist Podcasts: Which Are Still Publishing

  • What is the best Buddhist podcast for a complete beginner?
  • Are Buddhist podcasts free?
  • Are there any Buddhist podcasts from Asia?
  • +3 more on the page

Buddhism for Beginners: A Clear, Honest Introduction

  • What is Buddhism in simple terms?
  • Should a beginner approach Buddhism as a religion or a philosophy?
  • Do Buddhists believe in God?
  • +3 more on the page

Buddhist Temple Etiquette: What to Do and Avoid

  • What should I wear to a Buddhist temple?
  • Do I have to take my shoes off in a Buddhist temple?
  • Why can't you point your feet at a Buddha statue?
  • +2 more on the page

Dharma Names: Meaning and How They Work

  • What is a Dharma name?
  • How do I get a Dharma name?
  • Can I choose my own Dharma name?
  • +2 more on the page

Do You Have to Be Buddhist to Practice Buddhism?

  • Do you have to be a Buddhist to practise Buddhism?
  • Can non-Buddhists meditate?
  • What's the difference between practising Buddhism and being a Buddhist?
  • +2 more on the page

How to Become a Buddhist: A Practical Starter Guide

  • How do you become a Buddhist?
  • Do you need a ceremony or a teacher to become a Buddhist?
  • Do you have to give up your current religion to become a Buddhist?
  • +2 more on the page

How to Find a Buddhist Teacher or Sangha

  • How do you find a Buddhist teacher or sangha?
  • Do you need a teacher to practise Buddhism?
  • What should you look for in a Buddhist teacher?
  • +2 more on the page

How to Set Up a Buddhist Altar at Home

  • What do you put on a Buddhist altar?
  • What do the offerings on a Buddhist altar mean?
  • Where should you place a Buddhist altar?
  • +3 more on the page

How to Take Refuge in the Three Jewels

  • What does it mean to take refuge in Buddhism?
  • How do you take refuge?
  • Can you take refuge on your own, without a ceremony?
  • +2 more on the page

Incense in Buddhism: Meaning and How to Use It

  • Why do Buddhists burn incense?
  • What does incense symbolise in Buddhism?
  • How many incense sticks should you offer?
  • +2 more on the page

Mala Beads: What They Are and How to Use Them

  • What are mala beads?
  • Why do malas have 108 beads?
  • How do you use mala beads, step by step?
  • +2 more on the page

Singing Bowls: How to Use Them for Meditation

  • How do you use a singing bowl for meditation?
  • How do you make a singing bowl 'sing'?
  • Are 'Tibetan singing bowls' actually Tibetan?
  • +2 more on the page

The Best Buddhist Apps and Online Resources

  • What is the best free Buddhist app?
  • Is Headspace or Calm Buddhist?
  • Where can I read the Pali Canon online for free?
  • +2 more on the page

The Best Buddhist Books: By Tradition and Level

  • What is the best Buddhist book for a complete beginner?
  • Which Dhammapada translation should I read?
  • Do I have to buy these books, and what do they cost?
  • +3 more on the page

Everyday questions: Can Buddhists…?

27 guides · 148 questions

Are Buddhists Vegetarian? Buddhism and Eating Meat

  • Are Buddhists vegetarian?
  • Did the Buddha eat meat?
  • Which Buddhist traditions allow eating meat?
  • +2 more on the page

Buddhism and Alcohol: What the Fifth Precept Means

  • Can Buddhists drink alcohol?
  • What exactly is the fifth precept?
  • Why does Buddhism discourage alcohol?
  • +4 more on the page

Buddhism and Animals: Compassion for All Beings

  • How does Buddhism view animals?
  • Does the Buddhist principle of non-harming (ahimsa) include animals?
  • What is Buddhist 'life release' (fangsheng)?
  • +2 more on the page

Buddhism and LGBTQ Identities

  • Is Buddhism LGBTQ-friendly?
  • What does Buddhism say about homosexuality?
  • Does the third precept forbid same-sex relationships?
  • +2 more on the page

Buddhism and the Environment

  • What does Buddhism say about the environment?
  • Did the Buddha teach environmentalism?
  • What is interbeing in Buddhism?
  • +2 more on the page

Buddhism and Violence: Is It Truly Pacifist?

  • Is Buddhism a pacifist religion?
  • Does Buddhism allow killing or war?
  • Have Buddhists ever committed violence?
  • +2 more on the page

Buddhist Ethics: How Buddhists Decide Right From Wrong

  • How does Buddhism decide what is right and wrong?
  • Does Buddhism have commandments?
  • What is the difference between 'sin' and Buddhist ethics?
  • +2 more on the page

Buddhist Sexual Ethics and the Third Precept

  • What does Buddhism say about sex?
  • What counts as sexual misconduct in Buddhism?
  • Does Buddhism require celibacy?
  • +2 more on the page

Can Buddhists Be Soldiers? What the Texts Say

  • Can a Buddhist join the army?
  • Did the Buddha say soldiers go to hell?
  • Is being a soldier wrong livelihood in Buddhism?
  • +3 more on the page

Can Buddhists Be Vegan?

  • Can Buddhists be vegan?
  • Didn't the Buddha consume dairy?
  • Is veganism required in Buddhism?
  • +2 more on the page

Can Buddhists Do Yoga? What the Rules Say

  • Is it a sin for a Buddhist to do yoga?
  • Can Buddhists chant Om in a yoga class?
  • Is yoga Hindu, and does that matter for a Buddhist?
  • +3 more on the page

Can Buddhists Donate Organs?

  • Can Buddhists donate organs?
  • Is organ donation against Buddhism?
  • What is the Tibetan concern about organ donation?
  • +3 more on the page

Can Buddhists Drink Coffee? (Caffeine & the Precepts)

  • Can Buddhists drink coffee?
  • Does the fifth precept ban caffeine?
  • Do Buddhist monks drink coffee?
  • +2 more on the page

Can Buddhists Eat Eggs?

  • Can Buddhists eat eggs?
  • What is the difference between fertilized and unfertilized eggs in Buddhism?
  • Why do some Buddhists avoid eggs entirely?
  • +3 more on the page

Can Buddhists Eat Meat? The Honest Answer

  • Can Buddhists eat meat?
  • Isn't eating meat against the first precept?
  • Why did the Buddha not require vegetarianism?
  • +3 more on the page

Can Buddhists Eat Onion and Garlic?

  • Can Buddhists eat onion and garlic?
  • What are the five pungent spices?
  • Why do some Buddhists avoid garlic and onion?
  • +1 more on the page

Can Buddhists Gamble? What the Texts Say

  • Is gambling against the five precepts?
  • Can a Buddhist buy a lottery ticket?
  • Can Buddhist monks gamble?
  • +3 more on the page

Can Buddhists Have Pets?

  • Can Buddhists have pets?
  • Does Buddhism see pets as fellow sentient beings?
  • Is being attached to a pet a problem in Buddhism?
  • +3 more on the page

Can Buddhists Have Tattoos? Sak Yant & Respect

  • Can Buddhists have tattoos?
  • What is Sak Yant?
  • Is a Buddha tattoo disrespectful?
  • +3 more on the page

Can Buddhists Kill Insects? (Mosquitoes & Pests)

  • Can Buddhists kill insects?
  • Does the first precept apply to insects?
  • Is accidentally killing a bug bad karma?
  • +3 more on the page

Can Buddhists Smoke? The Fifth Precept & Tobacco

  • Can Buddhists smoke?
  • Does smoking break the fifth precept?
  • Did the Buddha say anything about smoking?
  • +3 more on the page

Can Buddhists Swear? (Right Speech & Profanity)

  • Can Buddhists swear?
  • Is swearing against the precepts?
  • What is 'harsh speech' in Buddhism?
  • +2 more on the page

Dāna: The Buddhist Practice of Generosity

  • What is dāna in Buddhism?
  • Why is generosity the first thing the Buddha taught?
  • Does the amount you give matter in Buddhism?
  • +2 more on the page

The Eight Precepts: For Deeper Practice

  • What are the eight precepts in Buddhism?
  • Are the eight precepts permanent or temporary?
  • What is the difference between the eight precepts and the ten precepts?
  • +2 more on the page

The Vinaya: Rules of Buddhist Monastic Life

  • What is the Vinaya in Buddhism?
  • How many rules are in the Vinaya?
  • What are the four parajika offences?
  • +2 more on the page

What Are the Five Precepts? The Buddhist Code of Ethics

  • What are the five precepts in Buddhism?
  • Are the five precepts commandments?
  • Do you have to be Buddhist to follow the five precepts?
  • +3 more on the page

Why Do Buddhists Release Animals? (Fangsheng)

  • Why do Buddhists release animals?
  • Does releasing an animal still make merit if the animal dies?
  • Is Buddhist animal release bad for the environment?
  • +3 more on the page

Comparisons: Buddhism vs…

18 guides · 89 questions

Buddhism and Modern Psychology

  • How are Buddhism and psychology connected?
  • What are mindfulness-based therapies?
  • Is Buddhism a kind of therapy?
  • +2 more on the page

Buddhism and Science: Where They Meet

  • Is Buddhism compatible with science?
  • Is Buddhism a science?
  • What does science actually say about meditation?
  • +2 more on the page

Buddhism vs Atheism: Non-Theistic, Not Atheist

  • Is Buddhism atheistic?
  • Does Buddhism believe in God?
  • What is the difference between non-theism and atheism?
  • +1 more on the page

Buddhism vs Christianity: Differences & Overlap

  • What is the main difference between Buddhism and Christianity?
  • What do Buddhism and Christianity have in common?
  • Is the Buddha like Jesus?
  • +2 more on the page

Buddhism vs Confucianism: Differences & Overlap

  • What is the main difference between Buddhism and Confucianism?
  • Is Confucianism a religion or a philosophy?
  • How did Buddhism and Confucianism coexist in China?
  • +1 more on the page

Buddhism vs Hinduism: Differences & Shared Roots

  • What is the main difference between Buddhism and Hinduism?
  • Did Buddhism come from Hinduism?
  • Do Buddhism and Hinduism both believe in karma and reincarnation?
  • +4 more on the page

Buddhism vs Islam: Differences & Common Ground

  • What is the main difference between Buddhism and Islam?
  • Do Buddhism and Islam have anything in common?
  • Is the Buddha considered a prophet in Islam, or Muhammad a teacher in Buddhism?
  • +1 more on the page

Buddhism vs Jainism: Shared Roots, Deep Differences

  • What is the main difference between Buddhism and Jainism?
  • Are Buddhism and Jainism the same religion?
  • Were Mahavira and the Buddha the same person?
  • +1 more on the page

Buddhism vs Judaism: Differences & Common Ground

  • What is the main difference between Buddhism and Judaism?
  • Do Buddhism and Judaism have anything in common?
  • Is Judaism just the 'Old Testament'?
  • +1 more on the page

Buddhism vs Nietzsche: The Charge of Nihilism

  • What did Nietzsche think of Buddhism?
  • Did Nietzsche call Buddhism nihilistic?
  • How did Nietzsche know about Buddhism?
  • +1 more on the page

Buddhism vs Schopenhauer: The Closest Western Echo

  • Was Schopenhauer a Buddhist?
  • How is Schopenhauer's philosophy similar to Buddhism?
  • Did Schopenhauer get his ideas from Buddhism?
  • +1 more on the page

Buddhism vs Sikhism: Differences & Common Ground

  • What is the main difference between Buddhism and Sikhism?
  • Is Sikhism a mix of Hinduism and Buddhism?
  • Do Buddhism and Sikhism both believe in reincarnation?
  • +1 more on the page

Buddhism vs Stoicism: Two Paths to Inner Peace

  • What do Buddhism and Stoicism have in common?
  • What is the main difference between Buddhism and Stoicism?
  • Did Buddhism influence Stoicism, or vice versa?
  • +4 more on the page

Buddhism vs Taoism: Differences & Overlap

  • What is the main difference between Buddhism and Taoism?
  • Are Buddhism and Taoism related?
  • What is wu wei, and is it Buddhist?
  • +2 more on the page

Can You Be Both Christian and Buddhist?

  • Can you be both Christian and Buddhist?
  • Which teachers have bridged Buddhism and Christianity?
  • Where do Buddhism and Christianity actually conflict?
  • +3 more on the page

Common Misconceptions About Buddhism

  • What is the most common misconception about Buddhism?
  • Who is the 'Laughing Buddha' if he isn't the historical Buddha?
  • Does Buddhism teach that life is nothing but suffering?
  • +2 more on the page

Does Buddhism Believe in Free Will?

  • Does Buddhism believe in free will?
  • Is karma the same as determinism or fate?
  • If there is no self, who makes the choice?
  • +2 more on the page

Is Buddhism a Religion or a Philosophy?

  • Is Buddhism a religion or a philosophy?
  • Is Buddhism a religion without a God?
  • Did the Buddha say Buddhism was a religion or a philosophy?
  • +4 more on the page

The Buddha

16 guides · 82 questions

Devadatta: The Buddha's Rival and Cousin

  • Who was Devadatta?
  • How was Devadatta related to the Buddha?
  • Why did Devadatta turn against the Buddha?
  • +2 more on the page

Jataka Tales: The Buddha's Past Lives Explained

  • What are the Jataka tales?
  • How many Jataka tales are there?
  • Are the Jataka tales part of the Pali Canon?
  • +2 more on the page

Mara: The Buddhist Figure of Temptation and Death

  • Who is Mara in Buddhism?
  • Is Mara the Buddhist devil?
  • What are the armies of Mara?
  • +2 more on the page

The 32 Marks of a Great Man Explained

  • What are the 32 marks of a great man?
  • What are the two destinies of a great man?
  • What is the ushnisha and the urna?
  • +2 more on the page

The Buddha's 45-Year Teaching Career

  • How long did the Buddha teach?
  • Where did the Buddha teach?
  • How was the Sangha founded?
  • +2 more on the page

The Buddha's Ascetic Years and the Middle Way

  • What did the Buddha do during his ascetic years?
  • Who were the Buddha's teachers?
  • What austerities did the Buddha practise?
  • +2 more on the page

The Buddha's Chief Disciples and Their Stories

  • Who were the Buddha's two chief disciples?
  • Who was Ananda to the Buddha?
  • What role did Maha Kassapa play after the Buddha's death?
  • +2 more on the page

The Buddha's Enlightenment and Awakening

  • What was the Buddha's enlightenment?
  • What did the Buddha realize when he became enlightened?
  • Where did the Buddha attain enlightenment?
  • +2 more on the page

The Buddha's Family: Who They Were and What Happened

  • Who was in the Buddha's family?
  • Did the Buddha have a wife and a son?
  • What was the name of the Buddha's wife?
  • +3 more on the page

The Death of the Buddha (Parinirvana) & Last Words

  • How did the Buddha die?
  • What were the Buddha's final instructions before he died?
  • What is parinirvana?
  • +2 more on the page

The First Sermon: Turning the Wheel of Dharma

  • What was the Buddha's first sermon?
  • Where did the Buddha give his first sermon?
  • Who did the Buddha teach first?
  • +2 more on the page

The Four Sights of the Buddha Explained

  • What are the Four Sights in Buddhism?
  • What do the Four Sights mean?
  • Are the Four Sights historically true?
  • +2 more on the page

The Great Renunciation: Why the Buddha Left His Palace

  • What was the Great Renunciation?
  • Why did the Buddha leave his palace?
  • How old was the Buddha when he left home?
  • +2 more on the page

The Historical Buddha vs the Legendary Buddha

  • Did the historical Buddha really exist?
  • When did the Buddha live?
  • What is the difference between the historical and the legendary Buddha?
  • +2 more on the page

Where Was the Buddha Born? The Birth at Lumbini

  • Where was the Buddha born?
  • When was the Buddha born?
  • Who were the Buddha's parents?
  • +2 more on the page

Who Was the Buddha? The Life Story of Siddhartha Gautama

  • Was the Buddha a real person?
  • Is the Buddha a god?
  • How old was the Buddha when he left home, awakened, and died?
  • +3 more on the page

Core Teachings

40 guides · 218 questions

Anatta: The Buddhist Teaching of Non-Self

  • What does anatta (non-self) mean?
  • Does Buddhism believe in a soul?
  • Does anatta mean I don't exist?
  • +3 more on the page

Anicca: The Truth of Impermanence

  • What is anicca (impermanence) in Buddhism?
  • Why is impermanence called the Buddha's last teaching?
  • Is impermanence a good thing or a bad thing?
  • +2 more on the page

Arahant vs Buddha vs Bodhisattva: The Three Goals

  • What is the difference between an arahant and a Buddha?
  • What is the difference between an arahant and a bodhisattva?
  • Is the arahant ideal selfish?
  • +1 more on the page

Buddha-Nature: The Potential for Awakening in All Beings

  • What is buddha-nature?
  • Does every being have buddha-nature?
  • Is buddha-nature the same as a soul or a self?
  • +2 more on the page

Cessation of Suffering: The Third Noble Truth

  • What is the Third Noble Truth?
  • What does nirodha mean?
  • Is the cessation of suffering the same as nirvana?
  • +2 more on the page

Craving: The Cause of Suffering (Second Noble Truth)

  • What is the cause of suffering in Buddhism?
  • What is the Second Noble Truth?
  • What is taṇhā?
  • +3 more on the page

Dependent Origination: The Twelve Links of Causation

  • What is dependent origination?
  • What are the twelve links of dependent origination?
  • How does dependent origination relate to the end of suffering?
  • +2 more on the page

Dukkha: The First Noble Truth Explained

  • What is dukkha?
  • What does the First Noble Truth actually say?
  • Does Buddhism say that life is suffering?
  • +2 more on the page

Emptiness (Sunyata): The Heart of Mahayana Philosophy

  • What is emptiness (sunyata) in Buddhism?
  • Does emptiness mean that nothing exists?
  • What does 'form is emptiness' mean?
  • +2 more on the page

Good and Bad Karma: What Creates Each

  • What is the difference between good and bad karma?
  • Is it the action or the intention that makes karma good or bad?
  • How do you create good karma?
  • +2 more on the page

Karma vs Fate: Are You Destined or Free?

  • Is karma the same as fate?
  • Did the Buddha believe in fate or destiny?
  • If karma isn't fate, why do bad things happen to me?
  • +2 more on the page

Merit in Buddhism: What Puñña Is and How It Works

  • What does merit mean in Buddhism?
  • How do you make merit in Buddhism?
  • Can you transfer merit to someone else?
  • +2 more on the page

Rebirth vs reincarnation: what's the difference?

  • What is the difference between rebirth and reincarnation?
  • Does Buddhism believe in reincarnation?
  • If there is no soul, what gets reborn?
  • +4 more on the page

Right Action: Ethical Conduct in Daily Life

  • What is right action in Buddhism?
  • What are the three aspects of right action?
  • What is the principle behind right action?
  • +2 more on the page

Right Effort, Mindfulness and Concentration

  • What are the three meditation factors of the Eightfold Path?
  • What is right effort in Buddhism?
  • How do right effort, mindfulness, and concentration work together?
  • +2 more on the page

Right Intention: Training the Mind's Direction

  • What is right intention in Buddhism?
  • What are the three right intentions?
  • What is the difference between right view and right intention?
  • +2 more on the page

Right Livelihood: Earning a Living the Buddhist Way

  • What is right livelihood in Buddhism?
  • What jobs or trades should Buddhists avoid?
  • Does 'business in meat' mean Buddhists can't eat meat?
  • +2 more on the page

Right Speech: The Buddhist Guide to Wise Words

  • What is right speech in Buddhism?
  • What are the four types of wrong speech?
  • What makes speech 'right' or well-spoken?
  • +2 more on the page

Right View: Seeing Reality Clearly

  • What is right view in Buddhism?
  • What are the two kinds of right view?
  • Why is right view first on the Eightfold Path?
  • +2 more on the page

Samsara: The Endless Cycle of Existence

  • What is samsara in Buddhism?
  • What causes samsara, or keeps it turning?
  • Is samsara the same as reincarnation?
  • +2 more on the page

Stream-Entry (Sotāpanna): The First Stage of Awakening

  • What is stream-entry in Buddhism?
  • What are the four factors for stream-entry?
  • How many lives does a stream-enterer have left?
  • +3 more on the page

The Core Teachings of Buddhism Explained

  • What are the core teachings of Buddhism?
  • What do Buddhists actually believe?
  • Is a creator God one of the core teachings of Buddhism?
  • +3 more on the page

The Five Aggregates (Skandhas) That Make Up a Person

  • What are the five aggregates (skandhas)?
  • What is the purpose of the five aggregates teaching?
  • What is the difference between feeling and perception?
  • +2 more on the page

The Four Foundations of Mindfulness (Satipaṭṭhāna)

  • What are the four foundations of mindfulness?
  • What is the fourth foundation, dhamma?
  • What does mindfulness of feelings (vedana) mean?
  • +3 more on the page

The Four Noble Truths Explained (With Modern Examples)

  • What are the Four Noble Truths?
  • Where did the Buddha first teach the Four Noble Truths?
  • Does the first noble truth mean life is only suffering?
  • +5 more on the page

The Four Stages of Enlightenment in Buddhism

  • What are the four stages of enlightenment?
  • Why is it sometimes called eight persons?
  • What is the difference between the four stages?
  • +3 more on the page

The Middle Way: Avoiding Extremes

  • What is the Middle Way in Buddhism?
  • What two extremes does the Middle Way avoid?
  • Is the Middle Way the same as the Eightfold Path?
  • +2 more on the page

The Noble Eightfold Path: All Eight Factors Explained

  • What is the Noble Eightfold Path?
  • What are the eight factors of the Noble Eightfold Path?
  • Does 'right' mean there's a single correct way and everything else is wrong?
  • +4 more on the page

The Seven Factors of Enlightenment (Bojjhaṅga)

  • What are the seven factors of enlightenment?
  • What does dhamma-vicaya, investigation of phenomena, mean?
  • Do you have to develop the seven factors in order?
  • +3 more on the page

The Six Perfections (Pāramitā) of the Bodhisattva

  • What are the six perfections in Buddhism?
  • Is it six perfections or ten?
  • Are the Mahayana perfections the same as the Theravada ten paramis?
  • +3 more on the page

The Six Realms of Existence Explained

  • What are the six realms of existence?
  • Are the six realms real places or states of mind?
  • Which of the six realms is the best to be born in?
  • +2 more on the page

The Ten Bhūmis: The Bodhisattva Grounds

  • What are the ten bhumis?
  • What are the names of the ten bhumis in order?
  • How do the ten bhumis relate to the six perfections?
  • +2 more on the page

The Ten Fetters (Saṃyojana) That Bind Us to Rebirth

  • What are the ten fetters in Buddhism?
  • What are the five lower fetters?
  • What are the five higher fetters?
  • +3 more on the page

The Three Jewels: Buddha, Dharma and Sangha

  • What are the Three Jewels of Buddhism?
  • Why are the Three Jewels also called the Three Refuges?
  • Does taking refuge in the Three Jewels make you a Buddhist?
  • +2 more on the page

The Three Marks of Existence: Anicca, Dukkha, Anatta

  • What are the three marks of existence?
  • What is the difference between the three marks and the Four Noble Truths?
  • Does 'not-self' (anattā) mean I don't exist?
  • +2 more on the page

The Three Poisons: Greed, Hatred and Delusion

  • What are the three poisons in Buddhism?
  • Why are they called poisons or fires?
  • What is the difference between greed, hatred and delusion?
  • +2 more on the page

The Three Trainings: Ethics, Meditation, Wisdom

  • What are the three trainings in Buddhism?
  • How do the three trainings relate to the Eightfold Path?
  • Why are the three trainings in the order ethics, meditation, wisdom?
  • +3 more on the page

What Is Enlightenment in Buddhism? (Bodhi / Awakening)

  • What is enlightenment in Buddhism?
  • Is it 'enlightenment' or 'awakening'?
  • Is enlightenment the same as nirvana?
  • +1 more on the page

What Is Karma in Buddhism? Meaning, Intention and Results

  • What is karma in Buddhism in simple terms?
  • Does karma mean fate in Buddhism?
  • When do the results of karma appear?
  • +4 more on the page

What Is Nirvana? Meaning in Buddhism, Explained Plainly

  • Is nirvana the same as heaven?
  • Does nirvana mean you stop existing?
  • Can you reach nirvana in this life?
  • +3 more on the page

Traditions & Schools

29 guides · 142 questions

Buddhism Around the World: A Country Guide

  • How many Buddhists are there in the world?
  • Which countries are majority Buddhist?
  • Which country has the most Buddhists?
  • +2 more on the page

Buddhism in China: History and Schools

  • When did Buddhism arrive in China?
  • What are the main schools of Chinese Buddhism?
  • Who was Kumarajiva?
  • +2 more on the page

Buddhism in Japan: Schools and History

  • When did Buddhism arrive in Japan?
  • What are the main schools of Japanese Buddhism?
  • Who founded Zen Buddhism in Japan?
  • +2 more on the page

Buddhism in Korea: Seon, the Tripitaka and Temple Stay

  • What kind of Buddhism is practised in Korea?
  • What is the Tripitaka Koreana?
  • What percentage of South Korea is Buddhist?
  • +1 more on the page

Buddhism in Myanmar (Burma): A Theravada Nation

  • What percentage of Myanmar is Buddhist?
  • What is Bagan?
  • Why is Myanmar important for vipassana meditation?
  • +1 more on the page

Buddhism in Nepal: Lumbini, Newar and Tibetan Paths

  • Was the Buddha born in Nepal?
  • Is Nepal a Buddhist country?
  • What is Newar Buddhism?
  • +1 more on the page

Buddhism in Singapore: Temples, Traditions & Numbers

  • What percentage of Singapore is Buddhist?
  • Is Buddhism declining in Singapore?
  • What Buddhist traditions are practised in Singapore?
  • +3 more on the page

Buddhism in Sri Lanka: The Theravada Heartland

  • What percentage of Sri Lanka is Buddhist?
  • How did Buddhism come to Sri Lanka?
  • Where was the Pali Canon written down?
  • +1 more on the page

Buddhism in Thailand and the Theravada Heartland

  • What percentage of Thailand is Buddhist?
  • Do all Thai men become monks?
  • What is a wat?
  • +2 more on the page

Buddhism in the West: How It Took Root

  • How did Buddhism come to the West?
  • Who first brought Buddhism to America?
  • What is the difference between convert and heritage Buddhism?
  • +3 more on the page

Buddhism in Tibet: History & the Four Schools

  • How did Buddhism come to Tibet?
  • Who brought Buddhism to Tibet?
  • Where did the four schools of Tibetan Buddhism come from?
  • +2 more on the page

Buddhism in Vietnam: Zen, Pure Land and Three Teachings

  • What kind of Buddhism is practised in Vietnam?
  • How many Buddhists are there in Vietnam?
  • What is Thiền Buddhism?
  • +1 more on the page

Chan, Sŏn and Thiền: Zen's Sister Traditions

  • Is Chan the same as Zen?
  • Who founded Chan Buddhism?
  • What is the difference between Chan, Sŏn, Thiền and Zen?
  • +2 more on the page

Engaged Buddhism: Putting Compassion Into Action

  • What is engaged Buddhism?
  • Who started engaged Buddhism?
  • How is engaged Buddhism different from traditional Buddhism?
  • +2 more on the page

Mahayana Buddhism: The Great Vehicle

  • What is Mahayana Buddhism?
  • What does Mahayana mean?
  • What is the bodhisattva ideal?
  • +2 more on the page

Nichiren Buddhism: The Lotus Sutra and the Daimoku

Om Mani Padme Hum: What the Mantra Means

  • What does om mani padme hum mean in English?
  • Is 'the jewel in the lotus' a correct translation?
  • Where does om mani padme hum come from?
  • +3 more on the page

Pure Land Buddhism and the Practice of Amitabha

  • What is Pure Land Buddhism?
  • What role does the nembutsu play in Pure Land Buddhism?
  • What is Amitabha's Pure Land?
  • +2 more on the page

Secular Buddhism: Practice Without Belief

  • What is secular Buddhism?
  • What does secular Buddhism leave out?
  • Is secular Buddhism really Buddhism?
  • +2 more on the page

The Dalai Lama: Role, Lineage, and the Institution

  • Who is the Dalai Lama?
  • What does 'Dalai Lama' mean?
  • Is the Dalai Lama reincarnated?
  • +2 more on the page

The Four Schools of Tibetan Buddhism

  • What are the four schools of Tibetan Buddhism?
  • Which is the oldest school of Tibetan Buddhism?
  • What is the difference between the Nyingma, Kagyu, Sakya, and Gelug schools?
  • +2 more on the page

The Thai Forest Tradition

  • What is the Thai Forest Tradition?
  • What does 'Kammatthana' mean?
  • Which monasteries are at the heart of the Thai Forest Tradition?
  • +2 more on the page

Theravada Buddhism: The Teaching of the Elders

  • What is Theravada Buddhism?
  • What does the word Theravada mean?
  • Where is Theravada Buddhism practised?
  • +2 more on the page

Theravada vs Mahayana: A Side-by-Side Comparison

  • What is the main difference between Theravada and Mahayana?
  • Which came first, Theravada or Mahayana?
  • What is the difference between the arahant and the bodhisattva?
  • +2 more on the page

Theravada vs Zen: Two Different Buddhist Paths

  • What is the difference between Theravada and Zen Buddhism?
  • Is Zen a form of Theravada Buddhism?
  • Does Theravada Buddhism teach buddha-nature?
  • +1 more on the page

Tibetan (Vajrayana) Buddhism Explained

  • What is Tibetan Buddhism?
  • What does Vajrayana mean?
  • What are the main practices of Tibetan Buddhism?
  • +3 more on the page

Types of Buddhism: The Branches and Major Schools Explained

  • What are the main types of Buddhism?
  • What is the difference between Theravāda and Mahāyāna Buddhism?
  • Is Zen a separate religion from Buddhism?
  • +2 more on the page

Zen Buddhism: A Complete Introduction

  • What is Zen Buddhism?
  • What does the word 'Zen' mean?
  • What is the goal of Zen?
  • +2 more on the page

Zen vs Tibetan Buddhism: Two Mahayana Paths

  • What is the main difference between Zen and Tibetan Buddhism?
  • Are Zen and Tibetan Buddhism both Mahayana?
  • Is the Dalai Lama a Zen master?
  • +1 more on the page

Meditation & Practice

24 guides · 124 questions

Anapanasati: Mindfulness of Breathing in 16 Steps

  • What is anapanasati?
  • What are the sixteen steps and four tetrads of anapanasati?
  • Is anapanasati samatha or vipassana?
  • +2 more on the page

Buddhist Chanting: Purpose, Benefits & How

  • Why do Buddhists chant?
  • What do Buddhists chant?
  • Is Buddhist chanting the same as prayer?
  • +2 more on the page

Buddhist Meditation Posture: How to Sit

  • What is the correct posture for Buddhist meditation?
  • Do you have to sit in the lotus position to meditate?
  • Should I close my eyes or keep them open during meditation?
  • +2 more on the page

Buddhist Meditation Retreats: What to Expect

  • What happens on a Buddhist meditation retreat?
  • How long does a Buddhist retreat last?
  • What is noble silence on a retreat?
  • +2 more on the page

Buddhist Meditation: Types, Stages, and How to Begin

  • What is the difference between samatha and vipassana meditation?
  • Do you have to be a Buddhist to meditate?
  • Which Buddhist meditation should a beginner start with?
  • +2 more on the page

Common Meditation Problems and How to Fix Them

  • Why does my mind wander so much when I meditate?
  • How do I stop falling asleep during meditation?
  • What should I do if I feel too restless to sit?
  • +2 more on the page

Do Buddhists Pray? Understanding Buddhist 'Prayer'

  • Do Buddhists pray to God?
  • If there is no God, what are Buddhists doing when they chant and bow?
  • Is loving-kindness meditation a kind of prayer?
  • +2 more on the page

How Long and How Often Should You Meditate?

  • How long should you meditate as a beginner?
  • How often should you meditate?
  • Is it better to meditate longer or more often?
  • +2 more on the page

How to Meditate: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners

  • How do I meditate as a complete beginner?
  • What should I focus on when meditating?
  • Is it normal for my mind to wander constantly?
  • +5 more on the page

Jhana Meditation: The Jhānas and States of Deep Absorption

  • What are the jhānas?
  • What are the five factors of the first jhāna?
  • Do you have to reach jhāna to become enlightened?
  • +3 more on the page

Loving-Kindness Meditation: How to Practise Metta

  • What is loving-kindness (metta) meditation?
  • What are the loving-kindness phrases?
  • Why do you start metta with yourself?
  • +2 more on the page

Mantra Meditation and the Power of Sacred Sound

  • What is mantra meditation in Buddhism?
  • How do you practise mantra meditation step by step?
  • Which mantra should a beginner start with?
  • +2 more on the page

Mindfulness vs Concentration: Sati and Samadhi

  • What is the difference between mindfulness and concentration?
  • What is samādhi?
  • Is mindfulness the same as focus or concentration?
  • +2 more on the page

Samatha Meditation: The Buddhist Practice of Calm

  • What is samatha meditation?
  • What is the difference between samatha and samadhi?
  • What are the forty meditation subjects?
  • +2 more on the page

Samatha vs Vipassana: Which Should You Practise?

  • Should I practise samatha or vipassana?
  • Which comes first, samatha or vipassana?
  • Can you practise vipassana without samatha?
  • +2 more on the page

The Five Hindrances and How to Overcome Them

  • What are the five hindrances in Buddhism?
  • Why are the five hindrances called hindrances?
  • How do you overcome the five hindrances?
  • +2 more on the page

The Four Brahmavihāras: The Sublime States

  • What are the four brahmaviharas?
  • What is the difference between metta, karuna, mudita, and upekkha?
  • What are the 'near enemies' and 'far enemies' of the brahmaviharas?
  • +2 more on the page

Tonglen Meditation: The Practice of Giving and Receiving

  • What is tonglen meditation?
  • How do you do tonglen step by step?
  • Which way does the breath go in tonglen — in or out?
  • +2 more on the page

Vipassana Meditation: Insight Explained

  • What is vipassana meditation?
  • What does vipassana reveal — the three characteristics?
  • What is the difference between vipassana and samatha?
  • +2 more on the page

Visualization Meditation in Tibetan Buddhism

  • What is visualization meditation in Buddhism?
  • What is deity yoga?
  • Are Tibetan Buddhist deities gods to be worshipped?
  • +2 more on the page

Walking Meditation (Kinhin): A Step-by-Step Guide

  • What is walking meditation?
  • How do you do walking meditation?
  • What are the benefits of walking meditation?
  • +2 more on the page

Why Do Buddhists Bow? (Respect, Not Worship)

  • Why do Buddhists bow?
  • Are Buddhists worshipping an idol when they bow?
  • What are the three prostrations?
  • +2 more on the page

Why Do Buddhists Meditate? The Purposes, by Tradition

  • Why do Buddhists meditate?
  • What is the goal of Buddhist meditation?
  • Do Buddhists meditate to become kinder?
  • +2 more on the page

Zazen: How to Practise Zen Sitting Meditation

Mindfulness

10 guides · 51 questions

Is Secular Mindfulness Really Buddhist?

  • Is secular mindfulness Buddhist?
  • What is the 'McMindfulness' critique?
  • What does secular mindfulness leave out of Buddhism?
  • +2 more on the page

Mindful Eating: A Practical Guide

  • What is mindful eating?
  • What is the raisin exercise?
  • How do I start eating more mindfully?
  • +2 more on the page

Mindfulness at Work: A Practical Guide

  • What is mindfulness at work?
  • Does mindfulness actually help at work, or is it hype?
  • How do I practise mindfulness during a busy workday?
  • +2 more on the page

Mindfulness vs Meditation: What's the Difference?

  • Are mindfulness and meditation the same thing?
  • Is mindfulness a type of meditation?
  • Can you practise mindfulness without meditating?
  • +2 more on the page

Simple Mindfulness Exercises for Beginners

  • What is a simple mindfulness exercise to start with?
  • How long should mindfulness exercises take?
  • Can I do mindfulness exercises without meditating?
  • +2 more on the page

The Benefits of Mindfulness: What the Science Says

  • What are the proven benefits of mindfulness?
  • Is mindfulness scientifically proven to reduce stress and anxiety?
  • Can mindfulness help with depression?
  • +2 more on the page

The Body Scan Meditation: A Practical Guide

  • What is a body scan meditation?
  • How long should a body scan take?
  • Is the body scan supposed to relax you?
  • +2 more on the page

What Is MBCT (Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy)?

  • What is MBCT in simple terms?
  • What is the difference between MBCT and MBSR?
  • Does MBCT actually work for depression?
  • +2 more on the page

What Is MBSR (Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction)?

What Is Mindfulness? Meaning, Roots and Practice

  • What is mindfulness in simple terms?
  • What is the difference between mindfulness and meditation?
  • Where does mindfulness come from?
  • +3 more on the page

Everyday Life & Wellbeing

41 guides · 209 questions

A Buddhist Morning Routine for a Calmer Day

  • Is there an official Buddhist morning routine?
  • How long should a Buddhist morning routine take?
  • What should I do first thing in the morning as a Buddhist?
  • +2 more on the page

Buddhism and Addiction: Craving and Recovery

  • What does Buddhism say about addiction?
  • Can Buddhist practice cure addiction?
  • What is urge surfing?
  • +2 more on the page

Buddhism and Aging: Growing Old Without Fear

  • What does Buddhism teach about aging?
  • What are the Five Remembrances?
  • Did the Buddha say anything about growing old?
  • +2 more on the page

Buddhism and Anger: How to Work With a Burning Mind

  • What does Buddhism say about anger?
  • Does Buddhism say anger is always wrong?
  • What is the story of the Buddha and the insult?
  • +2 more on the page

Buddhism and Anxiety: Working With a Worried Mind

  • What does Buddhism say about anxiety?
  • What is the 'second arrow' in Buddhism?
  • Can Buddhist meditation cure anxiety?
  • +2 more on the page

Buddhism and Burnout: Effort, Rest, the Middle Way

  • Does Buddhism have anything to say about burnout?
  • What is the lute-string simile?
  • Is rest allowed in Buddhism, or is that laziness?
  • +2 more on the page

Buddhism and Depression: An Honest Look

  • Can Buddhism cure depression?
  • Isn't depression just attachment or a lack of letting go?
  • Can mindfulness meditation help with depression?
  • +2 more on the page

Buddhism and Fear: Overcoming Fear With Wisdom

  • What does Buddhism teach about fear?
  • How did the Buddha overcome fear?
  • How do you overcome fear in Buddhism?
  • +2 more on the page

Buddhism and Forgiveness: How to Let Resentment Go

  • What does Buddhism say about forgiveness?
  • Is forgiveness the same as condoning what happened?
  • Did the Buddha say 'holding onto anger is like grasping a hot coal'?
  • +2 more on the page

Buddhism and Gratitude: Kataññutā, the Grateful Heart

  • What does Buddhism teach about gratitude?
  • What is kataññutā?
  • Did the Buddha teach gratitude toward parents?
  • +2 more on the page

Buddhism and Grief: Meeting Loss Without Denial

  • What does Buddhism teach about grief?
  • Does Buddhism say I shouldn't cry or mourn?
  • What does the Kisa Gotami mustard seed story teach about grief?
  • +2 more on the page

Buddhism and Happiness: Where Contentment Comes From

  • What is the Buddhist view of happiness?
  • What is sukha in Buddhism?
  • Does Buddhism say desire is bad?
  • +2 more on the page

Buddhism and Heartbreak: Healing a Breakup

  • What does Buddhism say about heartbreak after a breakup?
  • Is it 'attachment' to be heartbroken? Should I just let go?
  • What is the 'second arrow' and how does it apply to a breakup?
  • +2 more on the page

Buddhism and Illness: A Well Mind in a Sick Body

  • What does Buddhism teach about being sick?
  • What are the 'two arrows' in Buddhism?
  • Does Buddhism say meditation can cure illness?
  • +2 more on the page

Buddhism and Jealousy: Working With Envy

  • What does Buddhism say about jealousy and envy?
  • What is the Buddhist antidote to jealousy?
  • Is jealousy a sin in Buddhism?
  • +2 more on the page

Buddhism and Loneliness: Being Alone Without Suffering

  • What does Buddhism say about loneliness?
  • What's the difference between loneliness and solitude?
  • How do you deal with loneliness in Buddhism?
  • +2 more on the page

Buddhism and Money: Wealth Without Clinging

  • Is money evil in Buddhism?
  • What does Buddhism say about being rich?
  • What are the four kinds of happiness for a householder?
  • +2 more on the page

Buddhism and Overthinking: How to Quiet a Busy Mind

  • What does Buddhism say about overthinking?
  • What are the Buddha's five ways to stop unwanted thoughts?
  • How do I stop the 2am thought spiral, the Buddhist way?
  • +2 more on the page

Buddhism and Patience: Cultivating Khanti

  • What is khanti in Buddhism?
  • Is patience considered weakness in Buddhism?
  • Does Buddhist patience mean being a doormat?
  • +2 more on the page

Buddhism and Stress: Easing the Pressure of Daily Life

  • What does Buddhism teach about stress?
  • Is 'stress' really the same as the Buddhist word dukkha?
  • How does the 'second arrow' apply to stress?
  • +2 more on the page

Buddhism and Work: Turning the Job Into Practice

  • What does Buddhism say about work?
  • What does right livelihood mean for your job?
  • Does Buddhism think ambition or hard work is bad?
  • +2 more on the page

Buddhism in Everyday Life: How to Live It, Not Just Read It

  • How do I practise Buddhism in everyday life?
  • Can you practise Buddhism without being a monk or joining a temple?
  • Do you have to believe in rebirth or be religious to practise Buddhism?
  • +2 more on the page

Can Buddhists Celebrate Birthdays? What They Do

  • Can Buddhists celebrate birthdays?
  • What do Thai Buddhists do on their birthday?
  • Do Buddhist monks celebrate birthdays?
  • +3 more on the page

Can Buddhists Celebrate Christmas?

  • Can Buddhists celebrate Christmas?
  • Isn't Christmas a Christian holiday?
  • How do Buddhists relate to Christmas values?
  • +3 more on the page

Can Buddhists Get Divorced?

  • Can Buddhists get divorced?
  • Is divorce a sin in Buddhism?
  • What does Buddhism say about staying married?
  • +2 more on the page

Can Buddhists Get Married? Marriage in Buddhism

  • Can Buddhists get married?
  • Does Buddhism have a wedding ceremony?
  • What happens at a Buddhist wedding?
  • +2 more on the page

Caring for the Dying: A Buddhist Guide

  • How does Buddhism say we should care for a dying person?
  • Does the state of mind at death matter in Buddhism?
  • How is the Tibetan Book of the Dead used when caring for the dying?
  • +2 more on the page

Embracing Impermanence: Using Anicca Daily

  • What does it mean to embrace impermanence?
  • Isn't impermanence depressing?
  • How do I practise impermanence in daily life?
  • +2 more on the page

How to Deal With Difficult People, Buddhist-Style

  • What is the Buddhist way to deal with difficult people?
  • Does Buddhism mean I have to let difficult or toxic people walk all over me?
  • Why does Buddhism call a difficult person a 'teacher'?
  • +2 more on the page

How to Tame the Ego in Buddhism

  • What does 'ego' mean in Buddhism?
  • Does Buddhism say the self doesn't exist?
  • How do you tame the ego in Buddhism?
  • +2 more on the page

Losing a Pet: Buddhist Comfort for Animal Grief

  • Is it okay to grieve a pet deeply in Buddhism?
  • Do animals get reborn in Buddhism?
  • Can I make merit for a pet who has died?
  • +2 more on the page

Love vs Attachment in Buddhism: The Real Difference

  • What is the difference between love and attachment in Buddhism?
  • Does Buddhism say love is bad or that I shouldn't love anyone?
  • Isn't all love a kind of attachment?
  • +2 more on the page

Making Decisions With Buddhist Wisdom

  • How does Buddhism approach making decisions?
  • Why does Buddhism put so much weight on intention in a decision?
  • What does the Kalama Sutta say about how to decide?
  • +2 more on the page

Mindfulness in Daily Life: How to Be More Mindful Every Day

  • What is the difference between mindfulness in daily life and meditation?
  • What is the STOP practice?
  • What are 'bells of mindfulness'?
  • +2 more on the page

Radical Acceptance: The Buddhist Practice

  • What does acceptance mean in Buddhism?
  • Is 'radical acceptance' an ancient Buddhist term?
  • Isn't acceptance just passive resignation or giving up?
  • +2 more on the page

Self-Love and Non-Self: Resolving the Tension

  • Does Buddhism support self-love?
  • How can Buddhism teach both non-self and self-love?
  • What is the difference between self-compassion and self-cherishing in Buddhism?
  • +2 more on the page

The Art of Letting Go in Buddhism (Without Going Numb)

  • What does 'letting go' actually mean in Buddhism?
  • Isn't letting go the same as detachment or not caring?
  • What is the raft simile?
  • +3 more on the page

The Five Remembrances: The Buddha's Daily Reflection

  • What are the Five Remembrances in Buddhism?
  • Where do the Five Remembrances come from?
  • Are the Five Remembrances morbid?
  • +3 more on the page

What Buddhism Says About Love and Relationships

  • Does Buddhism say love is bad or that you shouldn't get attached to people?
  • What is the Sigalovada Sutta and what does it say about relationships?
  • Does non-attachment mean being cold or distant with the people you love?
  • +2 more on the page

What Buddhism Teaches About Death and Dying

  • What does Buddhism teach about death?
  • Is Buddhism afraid of death?
  • What is maranasati (mindfulness of death)?
  • +2 more on the page

Why Do We Suffer? The Buddhist Answer, in Layers

  • Why do we suffer, according to Buddhism?
  • Does Buddhism say suffering is punishment or fate?
  • Is Buddhism saying my suffering is my own fault?
  • +2 more on the page

Texts & Scriptures

35 guides · 171 questions

Buddhist Scriptures: A Guide to the Sacred Texts

  • Does Buddhism have a holy book like the Bible?
  • What is the oldest Buddhist scripture?
  • What are the three baskets of the Tipitaka?
  • +2 more on the page

Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta (SN 56.11), Passage by Passage

  • What does the name Dhammacakkappavattana mean?
  • What are the three phases and twelve aspects in SN 56.11?
  • What did Kondanna understand?
  • +2 more on the page

Famous Zen Koans and What They Mean

  • What is a Zen koan?
  • What does 'Mu' mean in Zen?
  • What is the sound of one hand clapping?
  • +2 more on the page

Mahaparinibbana Sutta: The Buddha's Last Days

  • What is the Mahaparinibbana Sutta?
  • How long is the Mahaparinibbana Sutta?
  • Does the Mahaparinibbana Sutta record the Buddha's last words?
  • +2 more on the page

Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta (MN 10): Text, Structure and Meaning

  • What is the Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta?
  • How does the Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta present the four foundations of mindfulness?
  • What does the Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta teach?
  • +2 more on the page

The Abhidharma: Buddhism's Third Basket

  • What is the Abhidharma?
  • How many books are in the Abhidhamma?
  • Did the Buddha write the Abhidharma?
  • +1 more on the page

The Amitabha Sutra: The Pure Land in Brief

  • What is the Amitabha Sutra?
  • Is the Amitabha Sutra the same as the Infinite Life Sutra?
  • Does the Amitabha Sutra tell you to recite Amitabha's name?
  • +2 more on the page

The Anapanasati Sutta: Mindfulness of Breathing

  • What is the Anapanasati Sutta?
  • What are the four tetrads of the Anapanasati Sutta?
  • When did the Buddha give the Anapanasati Sutta?
  • +3 more on the page

The Anattalakkhana Sutta: The Not-Self Discourse

  • What is the Anattalakkhana Sutta?
  • Was the Anattalakkhana Sutta the Buddha's second discourse?
  • Does the Anattalakkhana Sutta say there is no self?
  • +2 more on the page

The Avatamsaka Sutra: Indra's Net and Sudhana

  • What is the Avatamsaka Sutra?
  • Is Indra's net in the Avatamsaka Sutra?
  • What is the Gandavyuha Sutra?
  • +2 more on the page

The Bhaddekaratta Sutta: This Present Moment

  • What is the Bhaddekaratta Sutta?
  • What does bhaddekaratta mean?
  • Does the Bhaddekaratta Sutta teach living in the present moment?
  • +3 more on the page

The Buddhist Councils: How the Texts Survived

  • What were the Buddhist councils?
  • How many Buddhist councils were there?
  • What happened at the First Buddhist Council?
  • +2 more on the page

The Dhammapada: Buddhism's Most Beloved Text

  • What is the Dhammapada?
  • What does the word 'Dhammapada' mean?
  • Where does the Dhammapada come from?
  • +2 more on the page

The Diamond Sutra and the Wisdom of Non-Attachment

  • What is the Diamond Sutra?
  • What does the Diamond Sutra teach?
  • What is the famous verse at the end of the Diamond Sutra?
  • +2 more on the page

The Fire Sermon: Everything Is Burning

  • What is the Fire Sermon in Buddhism?
  • What is burning in the Fire Sermon, and burning with what?
  • Who did the Buddha give the Fire Sermon to?
  • +2 more on the page

The Girimananda Sutta: Ten Perceptions for the Sick

  • What is the Girimananda Sutta?
  • What are the ten perceptions in the Girimananda Sutta?
  • Did the Girimananda Sutta cure Girimananda?
  • +3 more on the page

The Heart Sutra Explained (Line by Line)

  • What is the Heart Sutra?
  • What does 'form is emptiness, emptiness is form' mean?
  • Why does the Heart Sutra say 'no suffering, no path, no attainment'?
  • +2 more on the page

The Kālāma Sutta: The Buddha's Charter of Free Inquiry

  • What is the Kālāma Sutta?
  • What does the Kālāma Sutta say?
  • Does the Kālāma Sutta say 'believe nothing'?
  • +3 more on the page

The Lankavatara Sutra: Mind-Only and Zen

  • What is the Lankavatara Sutra?
  • What does the Lankavatara Sutra teach?
  • Why is the Lankavatara Sutra important in Zen?
  • +1 more on the page

The Lotus Sutra: The Mahāyāna Masterwork

  • What is the Lotus Sutra?
  • What does the Lotus Sutra teach?
  • How does the Lotus Sutra use the parable of the burning house?
  • +2 more on the page

The Mangala Sutta: The Highest Blessings

  • What is the Mangala Sutta?
  • Is the Mangala Sutta at Snp 2.4 the same text as Khp 5?
  • Does mangala mean blessing or protection?
  • +2 more on the page

The Metta Sutta: Discourse on Loving-Kindness

  • What is the Metta Sutta?
  • What does the Metta Sutta teach?
  • What is the mother-and-only-child simile in the Metta Sutta?
  • +2 more on the page

The Milindapanha: The Questions of King Milinda

  • What is the Milindapanha?
  • Is the Milindapanha part of the Pali Canon?
  • Who was King Milinda?
  • +1 more on the page

The Pali Canon Explained: The Theravada Scriptures

  • What is the Pali Canon?
  • How is the Pali Canon organised?
  • What does Tipitaka or Tripitaka mean?
  • +2 more on the page

The Platform Sutra of the Sixth Patriarch (Huineng)

  • What is the Platform Sutra?
  • Why is the Platform Sutra unusual?
  • How does the Platform Sutra describe Huineng?
  • +1 more on the page

The Ratana Sutta: The Discourse on the Jewels

  • What is the Ratana Sutta?
  • Was the Ratana Sutta taught at Vesali during a plague?
  • Is the Ratana Sutta at Snp 2.1 the same text as Khp 6?
  • +3 more on the page

The Sigalovada Sutta: The Layperson's Code

  • What is the Sigalovada Sutta?
  • What are the six directions in the Sigalovada Sutta?
  • Is the Sigalovada Sutta the same as the Singalaka Sutta?
  • +3 more on the page

The Surangama Sutra: A Contested Chan Classic

  • What is the Surangama Sutra about?
  • Is the Surangama Sutra authentic?
  • Is the Surangama Sutra the same as the Surangama Samadhi Sutra?
  • +2 more on the page

The Sutta Nipata: One of Buddhism's Oldest Texts

  • What is the Sutta Nipata?
  • Why is the Sutta Nipata considered so old?
  • What famous suttas are in the Sutta Nipata?
  • +1 more on the page

The Tibetan Book of the Dead (Bardo Thödol)

  • What is the Tibetan Book of the Dead?
  • What are the three bardos?
  • Who wrote the Tibetan Book of the Dead?
  • +2 more on the page

The Tripitaka: Buddhism's Three Baskets of Scripture

  • What is the Tripitaka?
  • What are the three baskets of the Tripitaka?
  • Is the Tripitaka the same as the Pali Canon?
  • +1 more on the page

The Udana: The Buddha's Inspired Utterances

  • What is the Udana?
  • What does 'udana' mean?
  • Is the blind men and the elephant parable in the Udana?
  • +1 more on the page

The Vimalakirti Sutra: A Layman's Wisdom

  • What is the Vimalakirti Sutra?
  • Who was Vimalakirti?
  • What is Vimalakirti's 'thunderous silence'?
  • +1 more on the page

The Visuddhimagga: The Path of Purification

  • What is the Visuddhimagga?
  • Who wrote the Visuddhimagga?
  • Is the Visuddhimagga part of the Pali Canon?
  • +1 more on the page

The Way of the Bodhisattva (Bodhicaryavatara)

  • What is the Way of the Bodhisattva?
  • Who wrote the Bodhicaryavatara?
  • Is the Way of the Bodhisattva a sutra?
  • +1 more on the page

Buddhas & Bodhisattvas

9 guides · 39 questions

Amitabha: The Buddha of Infinite Light

  • Who is Amitabha Buddha?
  • How did Amitabha create his Pure Land of Sukhavati?
  • How do you reach Amitabha's Pure Land?
  • +1 more on the page

Avalokiteshvara: The Bodhisattva of Compassion

  • Who is Avalokiteshvara?
  • What does the name Avalokiteshvara mean?
  • Is Avalokiteshvara the same as Guanyin and Chenrezig?
  • +1 more on the page

Buddhas & Bodhisattvas: The Sacred Figures

  • What is the difference between a buddha and a bodhisattva?
  • Are buddhas and bodhisattvas gods?
  • Who are the most important bodhisattvas?
  • +1 more on the page

Guanyin (Kuan Yin): The Goddess of Mercy

  • Who is Guanyin?
  • Is Guanyin male or female?
  • What does the name Guanyin mean?
  • +1 more on the page

Kshitigarbha (Jizo): The Earth-Store Bodhisattva

  • Who is Kshitigarbha (Jizo)?
  • What is Kshitigarbha's vow?
  • Why is Jizo associated with children in Japan?
  • +1 more on the page

Maitreya: The Future Buddha

  • Who is Maitreya?
  • When will Maitreya appear?
  • Is Maitreya accepted in all forms of Buddhism?
  • +2 more on the page

Manjushri: The Bodhisattva of Wisdom

  • Who is Manjushri?
  • What does Manjushri's sword mean?
  • What does the name Manjushri mean?
  • +3 more on the page

Tara: The Female Buddha of Compassion

  • Who is Tara in Buddhism?
  • Where did Tara come from?
  • What is the difference between Green Tara and White Tara?
  • +1 more on the page

The Medicine Buddha (Bhaishajyaguru)

  • Who is the Medicine Buddha?
  • What does the Medicine Buddha hold?
  • Can the Medicine Buddha actually heal illness?
  • +1 more on the page

Cosmology

12 guides · 52 questions

Are the Buddhist Realms Literal or Psychological?

  • Are the Buddhist realms real places or states of mind?
  • Why do some teachers say the realms are states of mind?
  • Does it matter which reading is correct?
  • +1 more on the page

Asuras: The Jealous Demigods of Buddhism

  • What are asuras in Buddhism?
  • What is the difference between asuras and devas?
  • What karma leads to rebirth as an asura?
  • +1 more on the page

Buddhist Cosmology: The Realms of Existence

  • What is Buddhist cosmology?
  • What are the three realms in Buddhism?
  • Does Buddhist cosmology describe the realms as literal places?
  • +1 more on the page

Can Buddhists Believe in Ghosts?

  • Can Buddhists believe in ghosts?
  • What is a hungry ghost (peta)?
  • Do Buddhists honour the dead?
  • +3 more on the page

Devas: The Gods of Buddhism

  • What are devas in Buddhism?
  • Does Buddhism believe in gods?
  • Why isn't the god realm the goal of Buddhism?
  • +1 more on the page

Do Buddhists Believe in Heaven and Hell?

  • Do Buddhists believe in heaven and hell?
  • Are the Buddhist hells eternal?
  • How long does a Buddhist heaven last?
  • +3 more on the page

Hungry Ghosts (Pretas) in Buddhism

  • What is a hungry ghost in Buddhism?
  • What do hungry ghosts look like?
  • What karma leads to rebirth as a hungry ghost?
  • +1 more on the page

Kalpa: Buddhist Cosmic Time and Aeons

  • What is a kalpa in Buddhism?
  • How long is a kalpa?
  • What happens during a kalpa?
  • +1 more on the page

Mount Meru: The Center of the Buddhist Universe

  • What is Mount Meru in Buddhism?
  • Is Mount Meru a real mountain?
  • What is Jambudvipa?
  • +1 more on the page

Nagas: The Serpent Beings of Buddhism

The 31 Planes of Existence in Buddhism

  • What are the 31 planes of existence?
  • What are the three realms the planes are grouped into?
  • What are the four formless planes?
  • +1 more on the page

The Wheel of Life (Bhavachakra) Explained

  • What is the Wheel of Life (Bhavachakra)?
  • What is in the center of the Wheel of Life?
  • What do the spokes and rim of the wheel show?
  • +1 more on the page

Stories & Parables

11 guides · 52 questions

Angulimala: The Murderer Who Became a Monk

  • Who was Angulimala?
  • What did the Buddha say to Angulimala?
  • Did Angulimala escape the consequences of his crimes?
  • +1 more on the page

Buddhist Stories & Parables: Teaching in Story

  • What are the most famous Buddhist parables?
  • Why did the Buddha teach in stories and parables?
  • Are Buddhist parables found in scripture?
  • +1 more on the page

Empty Your Cup: The Zen Story of Nan-in's Tea

  • What is the meaning of 'empty your cup'?
  • Where does the 'empty your cup' story come from?
  • Is 'empty your cup' a real Buddhist teaching?
  • +1 more on the page

Kisa Gotami and the Mustard Seed

  • What is the story of Kisa Gotami and the mustard seed?
  • What does the mustard seed story teach?
  • Did the Buddha bring Kisa Gotami's child back to life?
  • +1 more on the page

The Blind Men and the Elephant (Buddhism)

  • What is the Buddhist parable of the blind men and the elephant?
  • What is the real meaning of the blind men and the elephant?
  • Does the parable mean all religions are equally true?
  • +3 more on the page

The Buddhist Prodigal Son (Lotus Sutra Parable)

  • What is the Buddhist parable of the prodigal son?
  • What does the poor son parable mean?
  • How is the Lotus Sutra's poor son parable different from the Bible's prodigal son?
  • +1 more on the page

The Empty Boat: Zhuangzi's Parable on Anger

  • What is the parable of the empty boat?
  • What does the empty boat teach?
  • Is the empty boat a Buddhist story?
  • +1 more on the page

The Parable of the Burning House (Lotus Sutra)

  • What is the parable of the burning house?
  • What does the burning house represent?
  • Was the father lying to his children?
  • +1 more on the page

The Parable of the Poisoned Arrow (MN 63)

  • What is the parable of the poisoned arrow?
  • Why didn't the Buddha answer the metaphysical questions?
  • What are the questions the Buddha left undeclared?
  • +3 more on the page

The Parable of the Raft: Let Go of the Teaching

  • What is the parable of the raft in Buddhism?
  • What does the raft represent?
  • Does the raft parable mean you should abandon the teachings?
  • +3 more on the page

The Second Arrow: The Buddha's Teaching on Pain

  • What is the parable of the second arrow?
  • What does 'pain is inevitable, suffering is optional' mean?
  • Does the second arrow mean I shouldn't feel my emotions?
  • +3 more on the page

People & Teachers

35 guides · 180 questions

Ajahn Brahm: From Cambridge Physics to Forest Monk

  • Who is Ajahn Brahm?
  • Why was Ajahn Brahm expelled from his lineage?
  • Did the elders say the same thing about why it happened?
  • +3 more on the page

Ajahn Chah: Life, Teachings & the Forest Tradition

  • Who was Ajahn Chah?
  • What did Ajahn Chah teach?
  • What was Ajahn Chah's role in the Thai Forest Tradition?
  • +2 more on the page

Alan Watts: What He Was, and What He Was Not

  • Was Alan Watts a Buddhist?
  • Was Alan Watts a Zen master?
  • Was Alan Watts really an ordained priest?
  • +3 more on the page

Ananda: The Buddha's Devoted Attendant

  • Who was Ananda in Buddhism?
  • Why is Ananda important?
  • Was Ananda enlightened?
  • +1 more on the page

Atisha: The Indian Master Who Revived Tibetan Buddhism

  • Who was Atisha?
  • What did Atisha do for Tibetan Buddhism?
  • What is 'A Lamp for the Path to Enlightenment'?
  • +1 more on the page

Bhikkhu Bodhi: Translating the Buddha's Words

  • Who is Bhikkhu Bodhi?
  • Which Pali texts did Bhikkhu Bodhi translate?
  • Which Bhikkhu Bodhi book should I read first?
  • +3 more on the page

Bodhidharma: The Founder of Zen

  • Who was Bodhidharma?
  • Did Bodhidharma found Zen?
  • What did Bodhidharma say to the emperor?
  • +2 more on the page

Buddhaghosa: The Great Theravada Commentator

  • Who was Buddhaghosa?
  • What did Buddhaghosa write?
  • When and where did Buddhaghosa live?
  • +1 more on the page

Chögyam Trungpa: The Founder and the Allegations

  • Who was Chögyam Trungpa?
  • Was Chögyam Trungpa a monk?
  • How did Chögyam Trungpa die?
  • +3 more on the page

Dōgen: Founder of Sōtō Zen and 'Just Sitting'

Famous Buddhist Teachers: The Most Influential in History

  • Who are the most important Buddhist teachers in history?
  • Is there one leader of all Buddhism, like a pope?
  • Who was the most important Buddhist philosopher?
  • +2 more on the page

Famous People Who Are (or Were) Buddhist

  • Who are some famous Buddhists?
  • Was Steve Jobs a Buddhist?
  • What religion did Tina Turner practice?
  • +2 more on the page

Huineng: The Sixth Patriarch of Zen

Jack Kornfield: Bringing Insight Meditation West

  • Who is Jack Kornfield?
  • What does Jack Kornfield teach?
  • What are Jack Kornfield's most famous books?
  • +3 more on the page

Jon Kabat-Zinn: The Founder of MBSR Mindfulness

  • Who is Jon Kabat-Zinn?
  • What is MBSR (Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction)?
  • Is Jon Kabat-Zinn a Buddhist?
  • +5 more on the page

Joseph Goldstein: A Founder of Insight Meditation

  • Who is Joseph Goldstein?
  • What does Joseph Goldstein teach?
  • What is Joseph Goldstein's 'one dharma'?
  • +3 more on the page

Maha Kassapa: The Ascetic Who Saved the Dharma

  • Who was Maha Kassapa?
  • Why is Maha Kassapa important?
  • What is the Flower Sermon?
  • +1 more on the page

Maha Moggallana: The Disciple of Psychic Power

  • Who was Maha Moggallana?
  • What were Moggallana's psychic powers?
  • How did Moggallana die?
  • +1 more on the page

Mahasi Sayadaw: The Noting Method Explained

  • Who was Mahasi Sayadaw?
  • What is the Mahasi noting method?
  • Do you need jhana before insight in the Mahasi method?
  • +3 more on the page

Milarepa: Tibet's Great Yogi and Poet

  • Who was Milarepa?
  • What did Milarepa do before he became a Buddhist?
  • Who was Milarepa's teacher?
  • +2 more on the page

Mingyur Rinpoche: Life, Teaching and the Brain Studies

  • Is Mingyur Rinpoche a monk?
  • Which tradition does Mingyur Rinpoche belong to?
  • Did meditation make Mingyur Rinpoche's brain younger?
  • +3 more on the page

Nagarjuna and the Philosophy of Emptiness

  • Who was Nagarjuna?
  • What did Nagarjuna teach?
  • What is the Madhyamaka school?
  • +2 more on the page

Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche): Who Brought Buddhism to Tibet

  • Who was Padmasambhava?
  • What did Padmasambhava do for Tibet?
  • Why is Padmasambhava called Guru Rinpoche?
  • +2 more on the page

Pema Chödrön: Teachings for Difficult Times

  • Who is Pema Chödrön?
  • What does Pema Chödrön teach?
  • What is Pema Chödrön's most famous book?
  • +2 more on the page

S. N. Goenka and the 10-Day Vipassana Course

  • Who was S. N. Goenka?
  • What happens on a Goenka 10-day Vipassana course?
  • Is Goenka Vipassana Buddhist?
  • +3 more on the page

Sariputta: The Disciple Foremost in Wisdom

  • Who was Sariputta?
  • Why is Sariputta called foremost in wisdom?
  • How did Sariputta become a disciple?
  • +1 more on the page

Shantideva: Author of The Way of the Bodhisattva

  • Who was Shantideva?
  • What is the Bodhicaryāvatāra (The Way of the Bodhisattva)?
  • What is the famous story about Shantideva?
  • +2 more on the page

Sharon Salzberg: The Teacher of Lovingkindness

  • Who is Sharon Salzberg?
  • What does Sharon Salzberg teach?
  • What are Sharon Salzberg's most famous books?
  • +3 more on the page

Shunryu Suzuki: Beginner's Mind & American Zen

  • Who was Shunryu Suzuki?
  • What did Shunryu Suzuki mean by 'beginner's mind'?
  • What is 'Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind'?
  • +2 more on the page

Tara Brach: Radical Acceptance & the RAIN Practice

  • Who is Tara Brach?
  • What is the RAIN practice?
  • What does the N in RAIN stand for?
  • +3 more on the page

Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu: Who He Is and How He Translates

  • Who is Thanissaro Bhikkhu?
  • Why does Thanissaro Bhikkhu translate dukkha as stress?
  • What does Unbinding mean in his translations?
  • +3 more on the page

Thich Nhat Hanh: Life and Teachings

  • Who was Thich Nhat Hanh?
  • What is Thich Nhat Hanh known for?
  • What did Thich Nhat Hanh mean by 'interbeing'?
  • +2 more on the page

Tsongkhapa: Founder of the Gelug School

  • Who was Tsongkhapa?
  • What is Tsongkhapa famous for?
  • Did Tsongkhapa found the Dalai Lama lineage?
  • +1 more on the page

Upali: The Barber Who Mastered the Vinaya

  • Who was Upali in Buddhism?
  • Why was Upali important?
  • Was Upali really a barber?
  • +1 more on the page

Xuanzang: The Monk Who Journeyed to India

  • Who was Xuanzang?
  • Why did Xuanzang travel to India?
  • What did Xuanzang bring back from India?
  • +1 more on the page

Women in Buddhism

14 guides · 74 questions

Ambapali: The Courtesan Who Became a Buddhist Nun

  • Who was Ambapali?
  • What did Ambapali give the Buddha?
  • Did Ambapali become a nun?
  • +2 more on the page

Ayya Khema: From Berlin Refugee to Buddhist Nun

  • Who was Ayya Khema?
  • Is Ayya Khema the same person as Khema in the Pali Canon?
  • Was Ayya Khema the first Western woman to become a Theravada nun?
  • +3 more on the page

Bhikkhuni Ordination: The Lost Lineage & Its Revival

  • What is a bhikkhuni?
  • Why did bhikkhuni ordination die out?
  • Can women be fully ordained as nuns today?
  • +1 more on the page

Can a Woman Become a Buddha? An Honest Answer

  • Can a woman become enlightened in Buddhism?
  • So why do some say a woman cannot be a Buddha?
  • Are there female Buddhas?
  • +1 more on the page

Dipa Ma: The Housewife Who Mastered Meditation

Khema & Dhammadinna: The Buddha's Foremost Women Disciples

  • Who were Khema and Dhammadinna?
  • Why is Khema called foremost in wisdom?
  • What is the Culavedalla Sutta?
  • +3 more on the page

Machig Labdrön: The Woman Who Founded Chöd

  • Who was Machig Labdrön?
  • What is Chöd?
  • Did Chöd really travel from Tibet back to India?
  • +3 more on the page

Mahapajapati Gotami: The Buddha's Foster-Mother & First Nun

  • Who was Mahapajapati Gotami?
  • Why did the Buddha hesitate to ordain women?
  • What are the eight garudhammas?
  • +1 more on the page

Patacara: Grief, a Lamp, and a Teacher of Nuns

  • Who was Patacara?
  • What happened to Patacara?
  • Are Patacara and Kisa Gotami the same person?
  • +3 more on the page

Tenzin Palmo: 12 Years in a Cave & a Fight for Nuns

  • Who is Tenzin Palmo?
  • How long did Tenzin Palmo live in a cave?
  • What is Dongyu Gatsal Ling?
  • +3 more on the page

The Therigatha: Poems of the First Awakened Nuns

  • What is the Therigatha?
  • How old is the Therigatha?
  • Who are some of the women in the Therigatha?
  • +4 more on the page

Uppalavanna: The Nun Foremost in Psychic Power

  • Who was Uppalavanna?
  • What was Uppalavanna foremost in?
  • Who were the Buddha's two chief women disciples?
  • +3 more on the page

Women in Buddhism: Figures, History & the Debate

  • What is the role of women in Buddhism?
  • Can women become enlightened in Buddhism?
  • Why can't women be ordained as nuns in some countries?
  • +1 more on the page

Yeshe Tsogyal: The Mother of Tibetan Buddhism

  • Who was Yeshe Tsogyal?
  • Was Yeshe Tsogyal a real person?
  • Why is she important?
  • +1 more on the page

History, Art & Culture

53 guides · 264 questions

A Day in a Buddhist Monastery: The Daily Rhythm

  • What does a typical day in a Buddhist monastery look like?
  • Why don't Buddhist monks eat after noon?
  • What is the rains retreat (vassa)?
  • +1 more on the page

Āsāḷha Pūjā (Dhamma Day): The Buddha's First Sermon

  • What is Āsāḷha Pūjā (Dhamma Day)?
  • What does Dhamma Day commemorate?
  • When is Āsāḷha Pūjā?
  • +2 more on the page

Bodhi Day: The Buddha's Enlightenment Festival

Borobudur: The World's Largest Buddhist Temple

  • What is Borobudur?
  • How old is Borobudur and who built it?
  • How many statues and relief panels does Borobudur have?
  • +2 more on the page

Buddha Statue Meaning: Mudras and Poses Explained

  • How do you read the meaning of a Buddha statue?
  • What do the Buddha's hand gestures (mudras) mean?
  • What does a reclining Buddha statue mean?
  • +2 more on the page

Buddhist Documentaries and Films: Who Made Them

  • What is the best Buddhist documentary to start with?
  • Are there Buddhist films actually made by Buddhist practitioners?
  • What is the best Buddhist film, as opposed to documentary?
  • +3 more on the page

Buddhist Festivals Around the World

  • What are the main Buddhist festivals?
  • Why do Buddhist festival dates change every year?
  • What is the most important Buddhist festival?
  • +2 more on the page

Buddhist Funerals and Death Rituals by Tradition

  • Is there one standard Buddhist funeral?
  • Why is cremation so common in Buddhism?
  • What is the 49-day period in Tibetan Buddhism?
  • +2 more on the page

Buddhist Mandalas: Meaning, Types and Symbolism

  • What is a Buddhist mandala?
  • What do the parts of a mandala mean?
  • How is a mandala used in meditation?
  • +2 more on the page

Buddhist Monuments: 31 of the World's Greatest

  • What is the largest Buddhist monument in the world?
  • Is Angkor Wat a Buddhist temple?
  • What is the oldest Buddhist monument?
  • +3 more on the page

Buddhist Symbols and Their Meanings

  • What are the main Buddhist symbols?
  • Why is the Dharma wheel the most important Buddhist symbol?
  • What does the lotus flower mean in Buddhism?
  • +2 more on the page

Buddhist Temples: Architecture & What's Inside

  • What is the main building inside a Buddhist temple?
  • What is the tower or mound in a Buddhist temple called?
  • Is a torii gate Buddhist?
  • +2 more on the page

Butter Lamps: The Tibetan Buddhist Light Offering

  • What are Tibetan butter lamps?
  • What do butter lamps symbolize?
  • When are butter lamps offered?
  • +1 more on the page

Emperor Ashoka and the Rise of Buddhism

  • Who was Emperor Ashoka?
  • Why did Ashoka convert to Buddhism?
  • What was Ashoka's 'dhamma'?
  • +2 more on the page

Famous Buddhist Mantras and Their Meanings

  • What is a mantra in Buddhism?
  • What does Om mani padme hum mean?
  • What does 'gate gate paragate parasamgate' mean?
  • +2 more on the page

How Buddhism Spread Across the World

  • How did Buddhism spread?
  • Who was Ashoka and why does he matter to Buddhism?
  • When and how did Buddhism reach China?
  • +2 more on the page

How Many Buddhists Are There in the World?

  • How many Buddhists are there in the world?
  • Which country has the most Buddhists?
  • Is the number of Buddhists growing or shrinking?
  • +2 more on the page

How to Become a Buddhist Monk: The Two Ordinations

  • How do you become a Buddhist monk?
  • How old do you have to be to become a monk?
  • Do you have to be a monk for life?
  • +1 more on the page

How to Prostrate in Buddhism (Bowing Explained)

  • How do you prostrate in Buddhism?
  • What does prostration mean in Buddhism?
  • What is the difference between Theravada and Tibetan prostration?
  • +3 more on the page

Kathina: The Robe-Offering Ceremony

Life of a Buddhist Nun: Bhikkhunis, Rules, Revival

  • What is a Buddhist nun called?
  • Who was the first Buddhist nun?
  • Do Buddhist nuns follow more rules than monks?
  • +1 more on the page

Losar: The Tibetan New Year

Māgha Pūjā (Sangha Day): The Fourfold Assembly

  • What is Māgha Pūjā (Sangha Day)?
  • What does Māgha Pūjā commemorate?
  • What are the four factors of the Fourfold Assembly?
  • +3 more on the page

Making Offerings at a Buddhist Altar

  • What offerings do Buddhists make?
  • Why do Buddhists make offerings — are they worshipping the Buddha?
  • What do the offerings symbolise?
  • +2 more on the page

Mudras: Buddhist Hand Gestures & Meanings

  • What is a mudra in Buddhism?
  • What are the main Buddhist mudras?
  • What is the bhumisparsha mudra?
  • +1 more on the page

Obon: The Japanese Buddhist Festival of Ancestors

Parinirvana Day: The Buddha's Passing (Nirvana Day)

  • What is Parinirvana Day?
  • When is Parinirvana Day?
  • What does parinirvana mean?
  • +1 more on the page

Prayer Flags: Colours, Meaning and How They Work

  • What do Tibetan prayer flags mean?
  • What do the colours of prayer flags mean?
  • How does a Buddhist prayer wheel work?
  • +2 more on the page

Prayer Wheels: The Tibetan Buddhist Mani Wheel

  • What is a Buddhist prayer wheel?
  • Why are prayer wheels turned clockwise?
  • What is written inside a prayer wheel?
  • +1 more on the page

Stupas and Pagodas: Meaning and Differences

  • What is a stupa?
  • What is the difference between a stupa and a pagoda?
  • What is inside a stupa?
  • +2 more on the page

The Alms Round: How Buddhist Monks Receive Food

  • What is the Buddhist alms round?
  • Is the Buddhist alms round the same as begging?
  • Why do monks accept whatever food they are given?
  • +1 more on the page

The Buddhist Calendar and Its Festivals

  • What is the Buddhist calendar?
  • Why do Buddhist festival dates change every year?
  • Is Vesak on the same day in every country?
  • +3 more on the page

The Dharma Wheel (Dharmachakra) Explained

  • What does the Dharma wheel symbolize?
  • What do the eight spokes of the Dharma wheel mean?
  • Why is the Buddha's first teaching called 'turning the wheel'?
  • +2 more on the page

The Eight Auspicious Symbols of Buddhism (Ashtamangala)

  • What are the Eight Auspicious Symbols?
  • Are the Eight Auspicious Symbols only Buddhist?
  • What does each of the eight auspicious symbols mean?
  • +1 more on the page

The Endless Knot: Meaning of the Buddhist Symbol

  • What does the endless knot symbolize in Buddhism?
  • Is the endless knot the same as the infinity symbol?
  • Is the endless knot only a Buddhist symbol?
  • +2 more on the page

The Four Great Buddhist Pilgrimage Sites

  • What are the four great Buddhist pilgrimage sites?
  • Why are these four sites special?
  • What are the Eight Great Places of Buddhism?
  • +2 more on the page

The History of Buddhism: From the Buddha to Today

  • Who founded Buddhism and when?
  • How did Buddhism spread from India across Asia?
  • What happened to Buddhism in its Indian homeland?
  • +2 more on the page

The Khata: Tibet's White Ceremonial Scarf

  • What is a khata?
  • What does a white khata symbolize?
  • How do you offer a khata?
  • +1 more on the page

The Life of a Buddhist Monk

  • What does a Buddhist monk do all day?
  • What are the two stages of ordination for a Buddhist monk?
  • What are the vows of a Buddhist monk?
  • +2 more on the page

The Lotus Flower in Buddhism: Meaning and Symbolism

  • What does the lotus flower symbolize in Buddhism?
  • Why is the lotus so important in Buddhism?
  • What do the different colours of the lotus mean?
  • +2 more on the page

The Seven Offering Bowls (Tibetan Water Bowls)

  • What are the seven offering bowls?
  • Are the seven offering bowls a general Buddhist practice?
  • Why are the bowls usually filled with water?
  • +3 more on the page

The Vajra and Bell in Tibetan Buddhism

  • What are the vajra and bell?
  • What does the vajra symbolise?
  • Which hand holds the vajra and which holds the bell?
  • +3 more on the page

Ullambana: The Buddhist Ghost Festival

  • What is Ullambana?
  • What is the story behind the Ghost Festival?
  • Is Ullambana the same as Obon?
  • +1 more on the page

Uposatha: Buddhist Observance Days & the Eight Precepts

Vassa: The Buddhist Rains Retreat (Buddhist Lent)

Vesak: The Most Important Buddhist Holiday

What Is the Sangha? Buddhism's Monastic Community

  • What does Sangha mean in Buddhism?
  • What is the difference between the monastic Sangha and the noble Sangha?
  • Is the Sangha one of the Three Jewels?
  • +1 more on the page

Why Are Buddhist Robes Orange?

  • Why are Buddhist robes orange?
  • Are all Buddhist robes orange?
  • What were the first Buddhist robes made of?
  • +3 more on the page

Why Buddhism Declined in India

  • Why did Buddhism decline in India?
  • When did Buddhism disappear from India?
  • Did Muslim invasions destroy Buddhism in India?
  • +2 more on the page

Why Do Buddhists Become Monks? (And for How Long)

  • Do Buddhist monks stay monks for life?
  • Do people really become monks for their parents?
  • Can Buddhist monks marry?
  • +3 more on the page

Why Do Buddhists Ring Bells? (Four Real Reasons)

  • Why is a Buddhist bell rung 108 times?
  • Can a visitor ring a temple bell?
  • Do you need a bell to meditate?
  • +3 more on the page

Why Do Buddhists Shave Their Heads?

  • Why do Buddhists shave their heads?
  • Do all Buddhists shave their heads?
  • What does the shaved head symbolise?
  • +3 more on the page

Why Is the Laughing Buddha Fat? (It's Not the Buddha)

  • Why is the Laughing Buddha fat?
  • Is the Laughing Buddha the real Buddha?
  • Who was Budai?
  • +3 more on the page

Zen & Eastern Wisdom

13 guides · 65 questions

Breathwork vs Buddhist Breathing (Anapanasati)

  • Is breathwork the same as Buddhist meditation?
  • Is anapanasati a form of breathwork?
  • Does anapanasati mean controlling your breath?
  • +2 more on the page

Buddhism and Yoga: How They Relate

  • Is yoga Buddhist?
  • What is the difference between Buddhism and yoga?
  • Did Buddhism come from yoga, or yoga from Buddhism?
  • +2 more on the page

Buddhist Minimalism and Simple Living

  • Is minimalism a Buddhist idea?
  • What does Buddhism say about owning things?
  • What is the Buddhist idea of contentment?
  • +2 more on the page

Eastern Wisdom Around Buddhism

  • Is 'Eastern wisdom' the same thing as Buddhism?
  • Is wabi-sabi a Buddhist teaching?
  • Why isn't ikigai counted as Zen or Buddhist 'Eastern wisdom'?
  • +2 more on the page

Ikigai: The Japanese Reason for Being

  • What is ikigai?
  • Is ikigai a Buddhist concept?
  • Is the four-circle ikigai Venn diagram authentic?
  • +2 more on the page

Kaizen: The Power of Small Improvements

  • What does kaizen mean?
  • Is kaizen a Buddhist teaching?
  • Where did kaizen come from?
  • +2 more on the page

Kintsugi: The Art of Golden Repair

  • What is kintsugi?
  • What does kintsugi mean?
  • Is kintsugi a Buddhist teaching?
  • +2 more on the page

Mono no Aware: The Pathos of Things

  • What does mono no aware mean?
  • Is mono no aware a Buddhist concept?
  • Who coined the term mono no aware?
  • +2 more on the page

Shinrin-Yoku: The Practice of Forest Bathing

  • What is shinrin-yoku?
  • Is forest bathing a Buddhist practice?
  • Where does the word 'shinrin-yoku' come from?
  • +2 more on the page

Shoshin: The Zen Beginner's Mind

  • What does shoshin mean?
  • Is shoshin actually Buddhist?
  • Which teacher made beginner's mind famous in the West?
  • +2 more on the page

The Japanese Tea Ceremony and Zen

  • Is the Japanese tea ceremony a Buddhist ritual?
  • What is chanoyu?
  • How is the tea ceremony connected to Zen?
  • +2 more on the page

Wabi-Sabi: Beauty in Imperfection

  • What does wabi-sabi mean?
  • Is wabi-sabi Buddhist?
  • Where does wabi-sabi come from?
  • +2 more on the page

Zen in Everyday Life: Living Zen Off the Cushion

  • What is Zen in everyday life?
  • Is 'Zen living' actually Buddhist?
  • What does 'chop wood, carry water' mean?
  • +2 more on the page

Quotes

49 guides · 173 questions

“A Lotus on the Rubbish Heap” (Dhammapada 58–59)

  • What do Dhammapada 58 and 59 mean together?
  • Why a rubbish heap and not a clean pond?
  • Where does 'a lotus on the rubbish heap' come from?

“A Tamed Mind Brings Happiness” (Dhammapada 35)

  • What does Dhammapada 35 mean?
  • How do you 'tame' the mind in Buddhism?
  • Where does 'a tamed mind brings happiness' come from?

“All Conditioned Things Are Impermanent” (Dhp 277–279)

  • What are the three marks of existence in Dhammapada 277–279?
  • Why does the third verse say 'all things,' not 'all conditioned things'?
  • Where does 'all conditioned things are impermanent' come from?

“All Joy Comes Through Wishing Others Happy” — Shantideva

  • What does Shantideva's verse mean?
  • Is 'all the joy the world contains' a Buddha quote?
  • How is it practised?

“Avoid Evil, Do Good, Purify the Mind” (Dhammapada 183)

  • What is 'the teaching of all the Buddhas'?
  • Why purify the mind if you already avoid evil and do good?
  • Where is the verse from, and why is it linked to Māgha Pūjā?

“Breathing In, I Calm My Body”: a Gāthā by Thich Nhat Hanh

  • What is the full Thich Nhat Hanh breathing gāthā?
  • How do you use it?
  • What is a gāthā?

“Contentment Is the Greatest Wealth” (Dhammapada 204)

  • What does 'contentment is the greatest wealth' mean?
  • What is the exact verse?
  • Where does 'contentment is the greatest wealth' come from?

“Cover Your Own Feet”: Shantideva on Guarding the Mind

  • What does Shantideva's leather-shoes verse mean?
  • How does it apply to daily life?
  • Where does Shantideva's 'cover the earth with leather' verse come from?

“Don't Go by Tradition”: The Buddha's Words to the Kālāmas

  • What is the famous Kālāma Sutta quote?
  • Did the Buddha say 'believe nothing, no matter where you read it'?
  • What is the Kālāma Sutta about?
  • +1 more on the page

“Even as a Mother Protects Her Only Child” (Mettā Sutta)

  • What does the Mettā Sutta say about a mother?
  • Where does 'even as a mother protects her only child' come from?
  • Is a mother's love really the model for Buddhist compassion?

“Hatred Is Never Appeased by Hatred”: Meaning (Dhammapada 5)

  • What does 'hatred is never appeased by hatred' mean?
  • Where is this quote from?
  • Did Martin Luther King Jr. quote 'hatred is never appeased by hatred'?
  • +2 more on the page

“He Who Conquers Himself”: Meaning (Dhammapada 103)

  • What does 'conquer yourself' mean in Buddhism?
  • Where does 'he who conquers himself is the noblest victor' come from?
  • Is it the same as 'the greatest victory is the victory over oneself'?

“If There's a Remedy, Why Be Unhappy?” — Shantideva 6.10

  • Did the Buddha say 'if a problem can be solved, why worry'?
  • What does 'if there's a remedy, why be unhappy?' mean?
  • What is the popular 'If a problem can be solved…' version?

“If You Cannot Help, At Least Do No Harm” — Dalai Lama

  • What is the real Dalai Lama 'do no harm' quote?
  • What does 'if you can't help them, at least don't hurt them' mean?
  • Where does the Dalai Lama's 'at least do no harm' quote come from?

“If You Want to Be Happy, Practise Compassion” — Dalai Lama

  • Did the Dalai Lama really say this?
  • What does 'if you want to be happy, practise compassion' mean?
  • Is the spelling 'practise' correct?

“Ignorance Destroyed, Light Arose”: the Awakening (MN 4)

  • What do these words describe?
  • What is the 'ignorance' that was destroyed?
  • Where does 'ignorance was destroyed, knowledge arose' come from?

“In the Beginner's Mind, Many Possibilities” — Suzuki

  • What is the exact Suzuki quote?
  • What does 'beginner's mind' mean?
  • Who said 'in the beginner's mind there are many possibilities'?

“In the Seen, Only the Seen”: the Bāhiya Sutta (Ud 1.10)

  • What is the Bāhiya teaching?
  • What does 'only the seen' mean in practice?
  • Who was Bāhiya?

“Intention Is Kamma”: What the Buddha Meant (AN 6.63)

  • What did the Buddha say karma is?
  • Why does intention matter more than the action itself?
  • Where does 'intention, I tell you, is kamma' come from?

“May I Be a Bridge”: Shantideva's Bodhisattva Vow

  • What is this quote about?
  • Is 'may I be a boat, a raft, a bridge' a Buddha quote?
  • What does it mean to be 'a bridge' for others?

“Mind Precedes All Mental States”: Meaning (Dhammapada 1)

  • What does 'mind precedes all mental states' mean?
  • Is this the same as 'we are what we think'?
  • Where does 'mind precedes all mental states' come from?

“My Religion Is Kindness” — the Dalai Lama

  • Did the Dalai Lama really say 'my religion is kindness'?
  • What does he mean by it?
  • Is he dismissing temples and philosophy?

“No One Can Purify Another” (Dhammapada 165)

  • What does Dhammapada 165 teach?
  • Does this mean Buddhism has no place for teachers or help?
  • How is this different from being saved by a god?

“Overcome the Angry by Non-Anger”: Dhammapada 223

  • What does Dhammapada 223 mean?
  • Does Dhammapada 223 say 'conquer anger with love'?
  • How is this different from 'hatred is never appeased by hatred' (Dhammapada 5)?

“Peace Is Present Right Here and Now” — Thich Nhat Hanh

  • What does 'peace is present right here and now' mean?
  • How can there be peace 'right now' when life is hard?
  • Where does 'peace is present right here and now' come from?

“Radiating Kindness Over the Entire World” (Mettā Sutta)

  • What does this line from the Mettā Sutta mean?
  • Is it really possible to love the 'entire world'?
  • Where does 'radiating kindness over the entire world' come from?

“The Faults of Others Are Easily Seen” (Dhammapada 252)

  • What does Dhammapada 252 mean?
  • Is this about not judging others?
  • Where does 'the faults of others are easily seen' come from?

“The Letting Go of Craving”: Third Noble Truth (SN 56.11)

  • Is 'the letting go of that very craving' the Third Noble Truth?
  • What does 'remainderless' mean?
  • Where does 'the letting go of that very craving' come from?

“The Middle Way”: the Buddha's First Teaching (SN 56.11)

  • What is the Middle Way?
  • What does 'Unbinding' mean?
  • Where does the Buddha's Middle Way quote come from?

“The Most Precious Gift Is Our Presence” — Thich Nhat Hanh

  • What does 'the most precious gift we can offer others is our presence' mean?
  • What's the full, correct wording?
  • Where does 'the most precious gift we can offer others is our presence' come from?

“The Present Moment Is Filled With Joy” — Thich Nhat Hanh

  • What does this Thich Nhat Hanh quote mean?
  • Is it really true that the present moment is joyful?
  • Who said it and where?

“The Wise Control Themselves” (Dhammapada 80)

  • What does Dhammapada 80 mean?
  • Why compare the mind to wood or water?
  • Where does 'the wise control themselves' come from?

“To Study the Self Is to Forget the Self” — Dōgen

  • What does 'to study the self is to forget the self' mean?
  • Where does 'to study the self is to forget the self' come from?
  • Why does it say 'actualized by myriad things' and not 'enlightened'?

“Unshaken Like a Rock”: Praise & Blame (Dhammapada 81)

  • What does Dhammapada 81 mean?
  • What are the 'eight worldly winds'?
  • Does staying 'unshaken' mean not caring what anyone thinks?

“Walk As If You Are Kissing the Earth”: Thich Nhat Hanh

  • Who said 'walk as if you are kissing the earth with your feet'?
  • What does 'walk as if you are kissing the earth with your feet' mean?
  • Is it a Buddhist teaching?

“You Are Perfect As You Are” — Shunryu Suzuki

  • What does 'you are perfect the way you are, and you can use a little improvement' mean?
  • Is this quote really from Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind?
  • Which Zen teacher said 'you are perfect the way you are, and you can use a little improvement'?

“You Are Your Own Protector” (Dhammapada 160)

  • What does Dhammapada 160 mean?
  • Doesn't this contradict taking refuge in the Buddha?
  • Where does 'you are your own protector' come from?

Buddha Quotes on Anger: 20 Real Lines, Every One Sourced

  • Is 'holding onto anger is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die' a real Buddha quote?
  • What did the Buddha actually say about anger?
  • Which Buddhist text has the most quotes about anger?
  • +3 more on the page

Buddha Quotes on Death: 19 Lines, Every One Sourced

  • What did the Buddha say about death?
  • What is the most famous Buddha quote about death?
  • Did the Buddha say 'the trouble is, you think you have time'?
  • +2 more on the page

Buddha Quotes on Happiness: 19 Sourced Passages

  • What did the Buddha actually say about happiness?
  • Which chapter of the Dhammapada is about happiness?
  • What is the difference between sukha and pleasure in Buddhism?
  • +3 more on the page

Buddha Quotes on Impermanence and Change (Sourced)

  • What did the Buddha say about impermanence?
  • Did the Buddha say 'this too shall pass'?
  • Is the dream, bubble and dewdrop verse a real Buddha quote?
  • +2 more on the page

Buddha Quotes on Karma: 20 Real, Sourced Lines

  • What did the Buddha actually say about karma?
  • What is the most famous Buddha quote about karma?
  • Did the Buddha say 'what goes around comes around'?
  • +3 more on the page

Buddha Quotes on Love: 17 Real Lines, With Sources

  • What did the Buddha say about love?
  • Did the Buddha say that love causes suffering?
  • What is the difference between metta and pema?
  • +2 more on the page

Buddha Quotes on Mindfulness: 18 Sourced Lines

  • What did the Buddha actually say about mindfulness?
  • What is the most famous Buddha quote on mindfulness?
  • Did the Buddha say 'do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment'?
  • +3 more on the page

Buddha Quotes on Peace (Every Line Sourced)

  • What did the Buddha actually say about peace?
  • Is 'Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without' a real Buddha quote?
  • What is the Buddhist word for peace?
  • +2 more on the page

Buddhist Quotes: Genuine, Sourced Words of the Buddha

  • Are most 'Buddha quotes' online real?
  • How do you check whether a Buddhist quote is genuine?
  • What is the most famous quote of the Buddha?

Quotes the Buddha Never Said — 16 Lines, Traced

  • Is 'holding on to anger is like drinking poison' a real Buddha quote?
  • Did the Buddha say 'the trouble is, you think you have time'?
  • How can you prove the Buddha never said something?
  • +3 more on the page

The Buddha's Last Words: “Strive with Earnestness” (DN 16)

  • What were the Buddha's last words?
  • What do they mean?
  • Where are they recorded?

The Buddha's Lotus: “Unsmeared by the Water” (AN 4.36)

  • Why did the Buddha compare himself to a lotus?
  • Where is this lotus quote from?
  • What does 'buddha' mean here?

2244 questions answered so far, with more added as the site grows. Looking for a term instead? Try the A–Z glossary.