Common Questions, Great Answers Quotes

“In contrast again, with King Pasenadi, the Buddha does not condemn violence in defense of the realm but places it within the larger context of impermanence and death to encourage reflection.”
― Tushar Gundev, Common Questions, Great Answers: In Buddha's Words

“Actually, nirvana simply means cessation. It is the cessation of passion, aggression and ignorance; the cessation of the struggle to prove our existence to the world, to survive. We don't have to struggle to survive after all. We have already survived. We”
― Tushar Gundev, Common Questions, Great Answers: In Buddha's Words

“Right concentration, or absorption is the eighth point of the path. Usually we are absorbed in absentmindedness. Our minds are completely captivated by all sorts of entertainment and speculations. Right absorption means that we are completely absorbed in nowness, in things as they are. This can only happen if we have some sort of discipline, such as sitting meditation. We might even say that without the discipline of sitting meditation, we can't walk the eightfold path at all. Sitting meditation cuts through our absentmindedness. It provides a space or gap in our preoccupation with ourselves.”
― Tushar Gundev, Common Questions, Great Answers: In Buddha's Words

“Right mindfulness, the seventh step, involves precision and clarity. We are mindful of the tiniest details of our experience. We are mindful of the way we talk, the way we perform our jobs, our posture, our attitude toward our friends and family, every detail.”
― Tushar Gundev, Common Questions, Great Answers: In Buddha's Words

“The sixth aspect of the path is right effort. Wrong effort is struggle. We often approach a spiritual discipline as though we need to conquer our evil side and promote our good side. We are locked in combat with ourselves and try to obliterate the tiniest negative tendency. Right effort doesn't involve struggle at all. When we see things as they are, we can work with them, gently and without any kind of aggression whatsoever.”
― Tushar Gundev, Common Questions, Great Answers: In Buddha's Words

“Right livelihood is the fifth step on the path. It is only natural and right that we should earn our living. Often, many of us don't particularly enjoy our jobs. We can't wait to get home from work and begrudge the amount of time that our job takes away from our enjoyment of the good life. Perhaps, we might wish we had a more glamorous job. We don't feel that our job in a factory or office is in keeping with the image we want to project. The truth is, that we should be glad of our job, whatever it is. We should form a simple relationship with it. We need to perform it properly, with attention to detail.”
― Tushar Gundev, Common Questions, Great Answers: In Buddha's Words

“The fourth point on the path, right discipline, involves a kind of renunciation. We need to give up our tendency to complicate issues. We practice simplicity. We have a simple straight-forward relationship with our dinner, our job, our house and our family. We give up all the unnecessary and frivolous complications that we usually try to cloud our relationships with.”
― Tushar Gundev, Common Questions, Great Answers: In Buddha's Words

“The third aspect of the path is right speech. Once our intentions are pure, we no longer have to be embarrassed about our speech. Since we aren't trying to manipulate people, we don't have to be hesitant about what we say, nor do we need to try bluff our way through a conversation with any sort of phoney confidence. We say what needs to be said, very simply in a genuine way.”
― Tushar Gundev, Common Questions, Great Answers: In Buddha's Words

“The second point of the path is called right intention. It proceeds from right view. If we are able to abandon our expectations, our hopes and fears, we no longer need to be manipulative. We don't have to try to con situations into our preconceived notions of how they should be. We work with what is. Our intentions are pure.”
― Tushar Gundev, Common Questions, Great Answers: In Buddha's Words

“The first point is called right view -- the right way to view the world. Wrong view occurs when we impose our expectations onto things; expectations about how we hope things will be, or about how we are afraid things might be. Right view occurs when we see things simply, as they are. It is an open and accommodating attitude. We abandon hope and fear and take joy in a simple straight-forward approach to life.”
― Tushar Gundev, Common Questions, Great Answers: In Buddha's Words

“This is known as the hungry ghost realm where we have made an occupation out of craving. We can never find satisfaction; it is like drinking salt water to quench our thirst.”
― Tushar Gundev, Common Questions, Great Answers: In Buddha's Words

“The third noble truth is that the cause of suffering can be ended. Our struggle to survive, our effort to prove ourselves and solidify our relationships is unnecessary. We, and the world, can get along quite comfortably without all our unnecessary posturing. We could just be a simple, direct and straight-forward person. We could form a simple relationship with our world, our coffee, spouse and friend. We do this by abandoning our expectations about how we think things should be.”
― Tushar Gundev, Common Questions, Great Answers: In Buddha's Words

“pain, impermanence and egolessness are known as the three marks of existence.”
― Tushar Gundev, Common Questions, Great Answers: In Buddha's Words

“We might posit an eternal consciousness principle, or higher self, but if we examine our consciousness closely we see that it is made up of temporary mental processes and events. We see that our "higher self" is speculative at best and imaginary to begin with. We have invented the idea to secure ourselves, to cement our relationship, once again. Because of this we feel uneasy and anxious, even at the best of times. It is only when we completely abandon clinging that we feel any relief from our queasiness.”
― Tushar Gundev, Common Questions, Great Answers: In Buddha's Words

“If we look at our life, very simply, in a straightforward way, we see that it is marked with frustration and pain. This is because we attempt to secure our relationship with the "world out there", by solidifying our experiences in some concrete way. For”
― Tushar Gundev, Common Questions, Great Answers: In Buddha's Words

“Now, having abandoned these five hindrances, and quite detached from sense-objects, detached from unwholesome states of mind, he enters upon and dwells in all four Jhanas, and in turn he is accompanied by applied and sustained thought, filled with bliss and happiness, born of seclusion.”
― Tushar Gundev, Common Questions, Great Answers: In Buddha's Words

“When a man with trusting heart takes upon himself the precepts—abstention from destroying life; abstention from taking what has not been given; abstention from evil conduct in respect of lusts; abstention from lying words; abstention from strong, intoxicating, maddening drinks, the root of carelessness—that is a sacrifice better”
― Tushar Gundev, Common Questions, Great Answers: In Buddha's Words

“The Buddha replied, "Disciples of the Buddha, if you wish to repay your parents' kindness, repent transgressions and offenses on their behalf. For the sake of your parents, make offerings to the Bhikshus. For the sake of your parents, hold the precept of pure eating. For the sake of your parents, practice giving and cultivate blessings. If you are able to do these things, you are being a filial child. If you do not do these things, you are a person destined for the hells.”
― Tushar Gundev, Common Questions, Great Answers: In Buddha's Words

“their souls still cling to this attachment and are”
― Tushar Gundev, Common Questions, Great Answers: In Buddha's Words

“Abandoning covetousness with regard to the world, he dwells with an awareness devoid of covetousness. He cleanses his mind of covetousness. Abandoning ill will and anger, he dwells with an awareness devoid of ill will, sympathetic with the welfare of all living beings. He cleanses his mind of ill will and anger. Abandoning sloth and drowsiness, he dwells with an awareness devoid of sloth and drowsiness, mindful, alert, percipient of light. He cleanses his mind of sloth and drowsiness. Abandoning restlessness and anxiety, he dwells undisturbed, his mind inwardly stilled. He cleanses his mind of restlessness and anxiety. Abandoning uncertainty, he dwells having crossed over uncertainty, with no perplexity with regard to skillful mental qualities. He cleanses his mind of uncertainty.”
― Tushar Gundev, Common Questions, Great Answers: In Buddha's Words

“Mindfulness & Alertness "And how is a monk possessed of mindfulness and alertness? When going forward and returning, he acts with alertness. When looking toward and looking away... when bending and extending his limbs... when carrying his outer cloak, his upper robe, and his bowl... when eating, drinking, chewing, and tasting... when urinating and defecating... when walking, standing, sitting, falling asleep, waking up, talking, and remaining silent, he acts with alertness. This is how a monk is possessed of mindfulness and alertness.”
― Tushar Gundev, Common Questions, Great Answers: In Buddha's Words

“accounting, counting, calculation, composing poetry, or teaching hedonistic arts and doctrines [lokāyata] — he abstains from wrong livelihood, from "animal" arts such as these.”
― Tushar Gundev, Common Questions, Great Answers: In Buddha's Words

“Whereas some monks and contemplatives, living off food given in faith, engage in scheming, persuading, hinting, belittling, and pursuing gain with gain, he abstains from forms of scheming and persuading [improper ways of trying to gain material support from donors] such as these. This, too, is part of his virtue.”
― Tushar Gundev, Common Questions, Great Answers: In Buddha's Words

“Go here, go there, take this there, fetch that here' — he abstains from running messages and errands for people such as these. This, too, is part of his virtue.”
― Tushar Gundev, Common Questions, Great Answers: In Buddha's Words

“Whereas some monks and contemplatives, living off food given in faith, are addicted to debates such as these — 'You understand this doctrine and discipline? I'm the one who understands this doctrine and discipline. How could you understand this doctrine and discipline? You're practicing wrongly. I'm practicing rightly. I'm being consistent. You're not. What should be said first you said last. What should be said last you said first. What you took so long to think out has been refuted. Your doctrine has been overthrown. You're defeated. Go and try to salvage your doctrine; extricate yourself if you can!' — he abstains from debates such as these. This, too, is part of his virtue.”
― Tushar Gundev, Common Questions, Great Answers: In Buddha's Words

“he abstains from consuming stored-up goods such as these. This, too, is part of his virtue.”
― Tushar Gundev, Common Questions, Great Answers: In Buddha's Words

“he abstains from damaging seed and plant life such as these. This, too, is part of his virtue.”
― Tushar Gundev, Common Questions, Great Answers: In Buddha's Words

“He abstains from dancing, singing, instrumental music, and from watching shows. "He abstains from wearing garlands and from beautifying himself with scents and cosmetics. "He abstains from high and luxurious beds and seats. "He abstains from accepting gold and money. "He abstains from accepting uncooked grain... raw meat... women and girls... male and female slaves... goats and sheep... fowl and pigs... elephants, cattle, steeds, and mares... fields and property. "He abstains from running messages... from buying and selling... from dealing with false scales, false metals, and false measures... from bribery, deception, and fraud. "He abstains from mutilating, executing, imprisoning, highway robbery, plunder, and violence.”
― Tushar Gundev, Common Questions, Great Answers: In Buddha's Words

“He abstains from dancing, singing, instrumental music, and from watching shows. "He abstains from wearing garlands and from beautifying himself with scents and cosmetics. "He abstains from high and luxurious beds and seats. "He abstains from accepting gold and money.”
― Tushar Gundev, Common Questions, Great Answers: In Buddha's Words

“He eats only once a day, refraining from the evening meal and from food at the wrong time of day.”
― Tushar Gundev, Common Questions, Great Answers: In Buddha's Words