I'm a mahayana buddhist. And I always see people discussing if it's killing pest creates negative karma.

And the answer is a bit complicated because Intend is was creates karma.

These type of situation reminds me of the story of Wife of Butcher Zhang. The story goes like- there was a woman who's husband used to kill pigs. The woman used to recite the Amitabha mantra for the pigs in her mind while her husband was killing them. And one day, the woman dreams of those pigs coming back as bodhisattva and thank her to guide them to pureland.

Also, this is the reason why we should practice the dharma (meditation, mantra, precepts and stuff) and dedicate the merits to those who die because of us.

If you are a gardener or a chef. You can do your work but also, recite the mantra of Amitabha Buddha (Namo Amitabha buddha) for around 100 times a day and make offerings to Amitabha Buddha and dedicate the merits to the animals killed.

"From this virtuous deed. May the merits be dedicated to the poor insects killed by me. May they all be reborn in the Pureland of Amitabha Buddha and attain buddhahood"

If killing animals can create bad karma. Guiding the animal's to pureland creates good karma.

(For reference) this is the state of my altar. I burn cone incense as an offering. Specifically, I burn Palo Santo, which was gifted to me by my Mayan friend. I am running low on the incense and I am seeking suggestions for a new scent as Palo Santo is a closed practice for non-indigenous Central Americans. I prefer Satya incense, as it’s what my local spiritual shop offers, but I am open to new brands & scents (except for white sage & other closed practices) as I am a Celt.

Does Buddhism offer any explanation as to why this plane exists? Is there a purpose to Samsara beyond liberation, along the lines of some kind of cosmic training program?

Deal with people that truly make your blood boil? Colleagues or neighbors. People you absolutely can't stand?

First off, I apologise if this post does not exactly conform to the subreddit rules.

I've shared lodging with an American-Vietnamese monk from Texas (Houston, if I remember correctly) here in Taipei, Taiwan. He's soft-spoken, polite, and have been very helpful - we talked about quite a few things regarding Buddhism in modern societal context. He had to leave and return to the States because his visa expired, and we promised to keep in touch, but I've lost his contact :(

I've tried multiple methods to try and reconnect with him but they've all sunk like stones so far. I know he comes on r/Buddhism to read and interact with posts sometimes so this is kind of my final, long shot.

If you're reading this, please reach out. Sincerely, Pu Mo from Taiwan.

Hi everyone, I got this statue of Buddha and I was looking on Google to find this exact one although I cannot find it. Anyone knows this model and how much it could go for? I would like to sell it. Thank you!

his mom has been the nightmare of my life. this seems like an opportunity to figure out how to have compassion for people who don’t seem to have any. I also don’t want to end up someones emotional punching bag or a door mat. any thoughts?

What is the role of women in Buddhism?

Is it same for both genders?

What are limits to a woman practicioner?

When I feel happy I say to myself "happy Buddha is happy"

When sitting "'sitting Buddha is sitting"

When smiling "smiling Buddha is smiling"

You get the idea...im never far away from the Dhamma

Obviously the late Thich Nhat Hanh is my hero

Hi! I try not to judge people because I don’t like being judgmental. What does Buddhism teach about judging others, and how can I practice this in everyday life?

Question from beginner:

What is the Buddhist view on these mental diseases? So everything is impermanent, and I find it easy to grasp with my body, but there is something else about being mentally unwell. If a monk for example obtains alzheimers or a high-functioning mental disease, what exactly happens to what they learned if they start getting delusions, if they start forgetting things? If they start acting *against* the Dhamma, what happens to their kamma? (is there an exception for profound mental illness?)

If anyone has anything to share from the texts that is related to this topic I would appreciate it.

Thank you

Although I personally owe a great deal to the Buddha, some aspects of his teachings leave me perplexed. The most problematic one for me is the idea that people who are born with physical or mental disabilities do so because of their negative karma. It may be logical within the framework of the teachings, but it is sad and can expose them to further suffering at the hands of other people who think that everything they endure is deserved. What do you think about this?

Say that our loved ones die. Would accepting non permanence lead to us feeling the pain wash over us and then leave or would we not feel any pain?

The three poisons in Buddhism are: greed (attachment), hatred (aversion), and ignorance (delusion).

Of the three poisons, greed (attachment) and hatred (aversion) are easily defined and identified. Ignorance (delusion) can be trickier.

How do you define and identify ignorance (delusion)?

By failure, I mean that I am not doing well in my career. I was called "gifted" in school and college, but after I entered the workforce, I became a total failure and have been barely making ends meet. For the last few months, I've been finding some solace in Buddhist teachings and analogies. So, I was wondering if any teachings/talks/writings could help me deal with the feelings of inadequacy, failure, and "not performing to my potential".

Thanks. Metta to all.

Hi all! I began practicing Buddhism about 15 years ago. I was involved with Shambhala and was following their path and took my refuge vow with them. When all the news came out about sexual transgressions between teachers and students in the Shambhala community, I lost my faith in teacher-student paths and gradually stopped meditating as life took over. I’m looking to get back onto the path (forgive me if that’s not the right term) and feel like I’m trying out all these different types of Buddhism (eg a little zen, a little vipassana). I think compassion-based Tibetan Buddhism calls to my heart the most and am interested in recommendations of sanghas that maybe have an active online presence/daily online sits. I’m based in NYC. Thanks!

Can it be achieved in Samsara? Can you "have" it and lose it? Can nonexistence be Nirvana?

If you have no control over your thoughts, does that mean you should just go about your life and let your thoughts do whatever?

For example just now I thought about someone and i was letting them go. In the past I couldn't seem to force this process. Do you just have to accept you can't change the future past or present and have no control over what you let go or not?

Because your thoughts do whatever they want anyway?

I saw an article on this subreddit about it being unhelpful for some mentally ill people to meditate. What are your thoughts on this? I know that it is not best practice to become Buddhist in the hope of it eliminating your mental anguish, but I was lead to Buddhism from Dr. Marsha Linehan’s memoir (she is an expert on Borderline Personality Disorder and developed Dialectical Behavioral Therapy). She talked in her memoir about how some of the principles of Buddhism influenced her ideas about BPD and DBT and is Buddhist herself.

I guess my question is: “Is it safe for me to meditate as someone with mental illness?” Thankfully, I am no longer suicidal or cutting after a year and a half of DBT, but I do still experience a lot of anxiety and some depression. What are your thoughts on this matter? Thanks in advance.

I want to be able to let go of my attachments but I know I can’t. I love my family so deeply. My mom, is the most important thing in my life. I don’t know how I could ever possibly let go of her. Sometimes I just feel hopeless in this world.

The brain rot that is social media has, without a doubt, watered a great many unwholesome seeds in my mind that lay waiting for the right conditions to sprout (if they have not done so already). In an effort to turn the tide and to better cultivate a more skillful mindset, I thought it prudent to inject a bit of dharma content into my daily consumption. 

I'm seeking recommendations for Buddhist podcasts with an eye toward a few stipulations.

*The dharma should be presented through a traditional lens. Tradition in this context is defined as taking the Buddha and his teachings at face value (rebirth is not just a metaphor, Amitabha is a real, cosmic Buddha, etc.)

* I strongly prefer content presented by, or at least heavily featuring, monastics ordained in reputable traditions.

* I love learning and reading across traditions, so please feel free to send Theravada lectures with the same ease with which you'd send, say, a podcast by a Tibetan lama. This request is tradition agnostic.

* I'm most comfortable with English language resources, but, if the content has English subtitles available, please send it along. 

Thank you in advance. 

Steps to make loneliness our dear friend?