Showing posts with label five precepts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label five precepts. Show all posts

Wednesday, July 1, 2026

Sex and Suffering in Buddhism

"Sex positive" Buddhists?
How can Wisdom Quarterly publish this? - How? It's a sex positive site. - O, makes sense
"If people start thinking freely about sex...they [might] start thinking freely about everything!"
.
SlutWalk, Washington DC, USA 2012
The sex-positive movement is a social and philosophical movement that seeks to change cultural attitudes and norms around sexuality, promoting the recognition of sexuality (in the countless forms of expression) as a natural and healthy part of the human experience and emphasizing the importance of personal sovereignty, safer sex practices, and consensual sex (and sex work free of violence or coercion).

I'm straight. Don't want sex? Become a monk.
It is based on the idea that "sexuality is an important part of the human experience and it deserves respect" [1]. Although the definition of the term greatly varies among those involved in the movement, its central notion is "openness to a variety of sexual orientations, interests (or lack thereof), identities and expressions" [2].

I regret all that science and math. I really wanted to be a Hedonist with Jeffrey Epstein & Co!
    .
    The sex-positive movement also advocates for comprehensive sex education and safe sex as part of its campaign.[3] The movement generally makes no moral distinctions among types of sexual activities, regarding these choices as matters of personal preference [4]. More
     
    Rich, beautiful celebrities still have to date?

    Suffering Sandpapery Sex? Three Secrets to Juicier Lovemaking

    What makes someone sexually attractive?
    (AARP) We’ve all been there before: We’re about to get it on and — *album scratch* — our girl isn’t giving what she’s supposed to. Knowhatimsayin? Like that filthy/racy Cardi B song featuring Megan Thee Stallion. What’s up with my natural lube being a no-show? Why is this happening?

    Will my customers still like me when I'm old?
    Vaginal dryness is more common during perimenopause and after menopause. “As the reproductive portion of a woman’s life starts to come to a close, estrogen [female hormone] levels drop because it’s not necessary for you to make eggs anymore,” says Dr. Nicole E. Williams, M.D., founder of the Gynecology Institute of Chicago and author of This is How You Vagina: All About Your Vajayjay and Why You Probably Shouldn't Call It That.


    This is How You Vagina (Dr. Williams, MD)
    Estrogen helps keep the vagina well lubricated and aids in sexual intercourse, she says. So declining estrogen levels can mean vaginal dryness that causes rough discomfort or sandy pain during sex. Some women also experience a chafed or burning feeling during day-to-day activities.

    Menopause isn’t the only reason for vaginal dryness. Some other causes are medications, including antidepressants, antihistamines, and hormonal birth control pills; childbirth or breastfeeding; vaginal infections; stress. Whatever the circumstances, we’re not stuck with sandpaper-like sex. Here’s how to add more slip and slide to the ride. More: sisters.aarp.org

    Saturday, June 27, 2026

    Alcohol was ruining my life. How I quit


    Why alcohol is ruining our lives (Jordan Peterson, Andrew Huberman, Mike Tyson)
    (Sober Leon) Today's video shares some motivation to end alcoholism from some of the most influential people in the world. If quitting alcohol makes me a quitters, then I quit! I'd rather be clear, detoxed, and sober. If anyone is trying to get sober and needs some motivation, this video is a must watch. #alcoholfree #sober #stopdrinking
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    • MEN ONLY: First Principles Thinking to control alcohol: soberclear.com #sober #stopdrinking #alcoholfree
    • TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 - The truth about alcohol 02:15 - Andrew Huberman & James Hetfield 02:37 - David Harbour 1 02:53 - Bill Burr 03:14 - Nikki Glaser 03:41 - Ben Affleck 1 04:09 - Joe Rogan & Malcolm Gladwell 04:47 - David Nutt 05:29 - Jordan Peterson & Theo Von 05:50 - Joe Rogan & Malcolm Gladwell 2 06:22 - Daniel Radcliffe 06:52 - Ben Affleck 2 07:12 - Daniel Radcliffe 2 07:25 - Jordan Peterson 2 08:22 - Robert Lowe 08:48 - Brad Pitt 09:28 - James Hethfield 2 10:13 - Mike Tyson 10:48 - Janey Lee Grace 11:48 - Scott Strode 12:38 - Jordan Peterson 3 13:15 - Andrew Huberman 2 13:54 - Paul Churchill 15:06 - Anthony Hopkins 16:02 - Bradley Cooper 16:28 - Patrick Bet David 17:02 - David Harbour 2 17:45 - Ian McShane 18:06 - Ben Affleck 2
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    • Sober Leon, May 10, 2023; Seth Auberon, Pfc. Sandoval, CC Liu (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

    Alcoholic? Shut up! Drinking is fine

    (Oldfangled Film) The Alcoholism Film (Rod Serling, 1974)

    Liquid ignorance in a bottle
    In Buddhism, the fifth precept is to abstain from intoxicants like alcohol (beer and liquor), drugs, and other [12, 13] things that occasion heedlessness. Early Buddhist Texts nearly always condemn alcohol, and so do Chinese Buddhist post-canonical texts. Smoking that leads to craving is sometimes also included here.

    Right action is an important start on the Path
    In modern times, traditional Buddhist countries have seen revival movements to promote the basic Five Precepts the Buddha pointed out as longstanding sources of grievous suffering (karma or deeds producing unwelcome results). As for the West, these precepts play a major role in Buddhist organizations. They have also been integrated into mindfulness training programs, though many new mindfulness specialists do not support this because of the precepts' religious import. Lastly, many conflict prevention programs make use of the precepts. Five Precepts
    Drunk and high at the same time

    "I can quit anytime I want!"

    "Sober"
    Why won't they stop, Mom?
    LYRICS: There's a shadow just behind me/ Shrouding every step I take/ Making every promise empty/ Pointing every finger at me/ Waiting like a stalking butler/ Who upon the finger rests/ Murder now the pattern, must we/ Just because the son has come/ Jesus, won't you f*cking whistle/ Something but the past and done?/ Jesus, won't you f*cking whistle/ Something but the past and done?// [CHORUS] Why can't we not be sober?/ I just want to start this over/ Why can't we drink forever?/ I just want to start this over// I am just a worthless liar/ I am just an imbecile/ I will only complicate you/ Trust in me and fall as well/ I will find a center in you/ I will chew it up and leave/ I will work to elevate you/ Just enough to bring you down/ Mother Mary, won't you whisper/ Something but the past and done?/ Mother Mary, won't you whisper/ Something but the past and done?// [CHORUS]// Trust me, trust me, trust me, trust me, trust me// [CHORUS]// Why can't we not be sober?/ I just want to start things over/ Why can't we sleep forever?/ I just want to start this over/ I want what I want/ I want what I want/ I want what I want/ I want what I want

    Friday, May 29, 2026

    Tibetan Buddhism: real meaning of 'refuge'

    (Tsem Rinpoche) The real meaning of Buddhist "refuge"

    The Buddhist Catechism (Amazon)
    [The Pali/Sanskrit word sarana actually means "Going for GUIDANCE," NOT "going for refuge," which is a bad English translation. Early Buddhist reformer Col. Henry Steel Olcott tried to straighten out this misunderstanding more than a century ago in The Buddhist Catechism (sacred-texts.com).

    But people still misunderstand and scholar mindlessly repeat the mistake without ever taking a closer look at the word and the potential confusion they are causing.

    There is only one real "refuge" in the phenomenal universe, and the historical Buddha called that nirvana. Nirvana is the further shore, the real place of safety beyond rebirth. Everything in samsara is beset by disappointments and dangers on all sides.

    Aside from nirvana, the Buddha, the Dharma, and the [Enlightened] Sangha are precious jewels we can resort to for GUIDANCE on the path, for encouragement, inspiration, and clarification.

    We ourselves must make the effort. No one saves us but ourselves. No one can, and no one may. Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha merely POINT the way.]

    Going for Guidance?

    Saranam or "guidance," Col. Olcott explains: "This word has been hitherto very inappropriately and erroneously rendered 'refuge' by European Pali scholars and thoughtlessly so accepted by native Pali scholars," Wijesinha Mudaliyar writes to him to point out.

    Neither Pali etymology nor Buddhist philosophy justifies the translation. "Refuge," in the sense of a fleeing back or a place of shelter, is quite foreign to true Buddhism, which insists on every person working out one's own emancipation [liberation, salvation, enlightenment].

    The root Sṛ in Sanskrit (sara in Pali) means to move, to go, so that saranam would denote a moving, or one or that which goes before or with another—a Guide or Helper.

    I construe the passage thus: Gacchāmi, "I go," Buddham, "to the Buddha," Sâranam, "as my Guide."

    The translation of the Ti-saraṇa as the "Three Refuges" has given rise to much misapprehension and has been made by anti-Buddhists a fertile pretext for taunting Buddhists with the absurdity of taking refuge in non-entities and believing in unrealities.

    The term "refuge" is more applicable to Nirvaṇa, of which saranam is a synonym.

    The [Abbot] Sumangala also calls my attention to the fact that the Pali root sara has the secondary meaning of killing, or that which destroys.

    Buddham saranam gacchami [Dhammam saranam gacchami, Sangham saranam gacchami] might thus be rendered "I go to the Buddha, the Doctrine, and the [Noble] Order as the destroyers of my fears—the first by his teaching, the second by its axiomatic truth, the third by their various [enlightened] examples and precepts." Source

    Thursday, May 21, 2026

    Why do we ROAST, to laugh or to cope?



    What if we could rise above?
    RIGHT SPEECH
     (sammā-vācā) in most Buddhist texts (such as the Pali canon) is presented as four abstentions [29, 68]: "What is right speech? Abstaining from lying (false speech), from divisive speech, from abusive speech, and from idle (beastly talk) speech: This is called right speech."

    Instead of the usual "abstention and refraining from wrong" terminology, a few Buddhist texts, such as the "Fruits of Recluseship Discourse" (Samaññaphala Sutta) and Kevata Sutta in the Long Discourses of the Buddha (Digha Nikaya) explain this virtue in an active sense, after stating it in the form of an abstention [69].


    Please don't hurt my inner child! It's fragile!
    For example, Fruits of Recluseship Sutra states that a part of a Buddhist monastic's virtue is that of "abstaining from false speech. One speaks the truth, holds to the truth, is firm, reliable, not a deceiver of the world" [69].

    Similarly, the virtue of abstaining from divisive speech is explained as delighting in creating concord [69] and peace and harmony between people.

    I'm humiliated! I can never face the world!
    The virtue of abstaining from abusive speech is explained in this sutra as including affectionate and polite speech that is pleasing to most people.

    The virtue of abstaining from idle chit chat (animal talk or ticcharana-katha) is explained as speaking what is connected with the Dharma, the goal of of which is liberation from all ignorance and suffering [69, 40] by realizing the freedom of enlightenment and the bliss and peace of nirvana. More

    • Roasters (Comedy Central); The Artist is The Enemy; Eds., Wisdom Quarterly Wiki edit (Noble Eightfold Path factor)

    Friday, May 1, 2026

    Conversion? How to become a Buddhist


    (The Pause) How to become a Buddhist: the truth about conversion. [How would a Westerner become an official "Buddhist"? As in any of the Dharmic religions, people convert to Buddhism. Here is a list of prominent converts.

    People new to adhering to Buddhism, traditionally, do so at a minimum by Ti-Sarana ("Going for Guidance" to the Three Guides) and adopting the Five Precepts.

    This is frequently mistranslated as "Taking Refuge," expressing confidence in the Three Guides, Three Treasures, Three Gems or Jewels: Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha) in front of a monk, nun, or similar representative often of the monastic community (sangha), the  nobles ones (Ariya-Sangha), and the community of practitioners (other Buddhists), in attendance.

    Throughout the timeline of Buddhism, conversions of (adoption of Buddhism by) entire countries and regions to Buddhism were frequent, as Buddhism (the Buddha-Dharma) spread throughout Asia. For example, in the 11th century in Burma, King Anoratha converted his entire country to Theravada Buddhism.

    At the end of the 12th century, King Jayavarman VII set the stage for conversion of the Khmer people to Theravada Buddhism.

    Mass conversions of areas and communities to Buddhism occur up to the present day. For example, there was the modern Dalit Buddhist Movement in India. Indeed, there have been organized mass conversions.

    Exceptions to encouraging conversion may occur in some Buddhist movements. In Tibetan Buddhism, for example, the current Dalai Lama discourages active attempts to win converts [35, 36]. In fact, Buddhism is not evangelical and does not promote pushing religion on anyone. However, Buddhism was the first missionary religion, long before Christianity, and sent out "apostles" who taught and won many people over to this path-of-practice and way of being, which many can argue is not even a real "religion." Of course, that depends how we choose to define "religion."

    The Truth is true no matter who believes or does not believe, who adheres or does not adhere, who converts or does not convert. The Buddha was a representative of Truth, and many were attracted to him and what he was saying. It was, in fact, the first "world religion," a universal spiritual tradition that accepted all. But the Buddha did not go around trying to make anyone a Buddhist or a follower. He only wanted them to realize what was true, knowing that the Truth sets one free. Have you considered Hinduism? More: Religious conversion

    Wednesday, February 18, 2026

    Catholic Buddhist Lent: Ash Wednesday





    Holy [Hindu style) ashes on Ash Wednesday
    Happy Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent for most Christians. Wisdom Quarterly's Mexican Buddhist Crystal Q. is torn between celebrating abstinence, the Five Eight or Ten Precepts, Ten Commandments, and reverting to simplicity. Since ancient Indian times, ashes from the pyre have been used by wandering ascetics as a way of getting clean. (Ashes are absorbent, and when collected from a funerary pyre, they are a strong reminder of this body's mortality). Buddhist David Bowie perhaps quoted the Anglican prayer book best when he sang, "Ashes to ashes, funk to funky, we know Major Tom's a junkie" (David Bowie's "Ashes to Ashes").

    The tilma of Juan Diego: Our Lady of Guadalupe

    Madonna and Child? Kwan Yin
    Why would a Mexican be Buddhist? One strong reason in the past was the arrival of Buddhist missionaries from Afghanistan and China before the arrival of Christianity. See American researcher Edward P. Vining and his published findings in An Inglorious Columbus: Or Evidence that Hwui Shan and a Party of Buddhist Monks from Afghanistan Discovered America in the Fifth Century, A.D.) Of course, in modern times Mexican Americans would love Buddhism for its many qualities and perhaps recognizing in the Buddhist Goddess of Compassion Guan Yin a great deal of the Virgin of Guadalupe.


    So it's time for a field trip to church (Catholic mass) to see these smearing of cremation ashes across foreheads in Los Angeles. Ananda is eager to see what this is all about. CC took us to the giant Buddhist temple east of Los Angeles in the very Asian San Gabriel Valley, where we enjoyed the Aztec dancers dancing for the Chinese Mahayana Humanist Buddhist crowd. So this explosion/clash of Mexican and European church tradition ought to be a Roman spectacular.

    WHAT HAPPENED?
    St. Andrew's Church (Pasadena)
    Pasadena, California, has many Catholics, and "church" (mass) was packed. The one we attended is beautiful inside, much more beautiful than the usual Holy Roman Empire version. It has a picture of God unlike any other Euro Catholic church building we've ever seen, a massive mural. And next to the God are beautiful devas ("angels"), drawn in gold and very colorful. The many pews were full, and there is a Spanish language service going on in the school building across the street. This church building is on the corner of Fair Oaks and the 134 Freeway, with a big belfry and clock (campanile). Inside, it's like a mausoleum of imported stone. And the attendees are a mix of Hispanics, Italians, Europeans, and a sprinkling of Blacks and Asians. Everyone is very nice and seem repentant as they line up for their pyre ashes, almost certainly incense stick remnants and coal. Wine and gluten crackers are served, if one doesn't mind mixing saliva with everyone else, but it's wiped with a white towel between sips, which is certainly sterilizing through prayer and God's power or the priest's magic. The officiant and his altar boy assistants said some nice words, encouraged people to be good and observe the Ramadan Lenten (Latin Quadragesima, "Fortieth") self-purification practices for the next month and ten days, and to do acts of abstinence, restraint, charity, and kindness, all beautiful sentiments for those who live up to the best of their religion. It is very much like the Buddhist Rains Retreat (Pali Vassa).

    Meat eating during the Holy Season?

    We agree: Let animals live by not eating them.
    Historically, abstinence from meat was a requirement on the days of the Lenten season, including Sunday, the "Lord's Day") [20]. In Eastern Christianity -- including Eastern Orthodox, Eastern Catholics, Eastern Lutherans, and Oriental Orthodox -- Great Lent is observed continuously without interruption for 40 days starting on Clean Monday and ending on Lazarus Saturday before Holy Week [21, 6] and the big finale of the real New Year's Day, Easter, the first day of spring (time of renewal, when the "son" rises after being as dead as the winter, as explained by Astrotheology). More


    In India, cremation ashes are called phool ("flowers"). They are collected from the pyre in a rite-of-passage called asthi sanchayana then dispersed. This signifies redemption of the dead in waters (like those of the "holy" Ganges or Jordan River) considered to be sacred and a closure for the living (Hinduism, Note 28).


    American Pope's first Lent

    Kendrick Lamar's Lefty Gunplay, Grammy Award winning LA Latino
    Dr. Dre made mad money signing Eminem, so Kendrick adopted Lefty Gunplay (F. Scott Holladay)


    Viking berserkers got high first?
    Hollywood's Hart is Catholic?
    (HP) Christianity erased the truth, but the evidence remains: Viking "berserkers" were said to fight in a trance of unstoppable fury. Some historians believe this rage may have been triggered by psychoactive plants like henbane or hallucinogenic mushrooms. Seeds found in a Viking grave in Denmark suggest these substances were known and possibly used. Christians systematically destroyed much of the old pagan knowledge. This video explores the evidence behind one of Viking history’s strangest questions. More

    Friday, January 30, 2026

    Actor Catherine O'Hara dead at 71 (sutra)





    Catherine O'Hara sings the classic "Sally's Song" (from The Nightmare Before Christmas by Danny Elfman). Where has she been reborn for a life of acting? The Sixth Dimension the Elfman's warned about? The Hell of Laughter the Buddha warned about? 

    SUTRA: The Hell of Laughter for actors?
    Ven. Thanissaro, "Considering a career in acting? You may want to reconsider..." (edited by WQ)

    I just wanted to make people laugh ('n be famous)
    (SN 42.2) Then Talaputa, the head of an acting troupe, went to the Buddha, bowed, and sat respectfully to one side. Sitting there, he said: "Venerable sir, I have heard that it has been passed down by the ancient teaching lineage of actors that 'When actors on the stage, in the midst of a festival, make people laugh and give them delight with an imitation [misrepresentation, lie about] reality, then with the breakup of the body, after death, such actors are reborn in the company of the laughing light beings (devas).' What does the Blessed One have to say about that?"

    "Enough, headman, set that aside. Do not ask it." But a second and third time...Talaputa, the head of an acting troupe, repeated his question.

    Speak truth with compassion.
    "Apparently, headman, I am unable to drop this matter by saying, 'Enough, headman, set that aside. Do not ask it.' So I will address that directly:

    "Any beings who themselves are not yet free of lust, anger, delusion (greed, hatred, wrong view), who are bound by lust, focus with even more lust on things inspiring lust presented by an actor on stage in the midst of a festival...such actors — themselves intoxicated and heedless, having made others intoxicated and heedless — with the breakup of the body, after death, are reborn in what is called The Hell of Laughter.

    "But if one holds a view like this: 'When an actor on the stage, in the midst of a festival, makes people laugh and gives them delight with an imitation of reality, then with the breakup of the body, after death, that person is reborn in the company of the laughing light beings,' that is one's wrong view.

    "Now, there are two destinations for a person with wrong view, I declare, either hell [apāya, naraka] or the animal plane."

    How could no one have told me sooner?
    When this was said, Talaputa, the head of an acting troupe, sobbed then burst into tears.

    [The Buddha said:] "That is what I was trying to communicate by saying, 'Enough, headman, set that aside. Do not ask it.'"

    "Venerable sir, I am not crying because of what the Blessed One said to me, but rather because I have been deceived, cheated, and fooled for such a long time by that ancient teaching lineage of actors who say, 'When actors on the stage, in the midst of a festival, make people laugh and give them delight with an imitation of reality, then with the breakup of the body, after death, they are reborn in the company of the laughing light being.'" Source: Right Livelihood: samma ajivo (accesstoinsight.org)

    Catherine O'Hara

    Yes, but I got a few good years on earth.
    Catherine O'Hara (March 4, 1954–January 30, 2026) was a Canadian and American actress, comedian, and screenwriter, whose career spanned over 50 years.

    She started in sketch and improvisational comedy in film and television before expanding her career taking dramatic roles. She received several accolades including two Primetime Emmy Awards, a Golden Globe Award, and two Screen Actors Guild Awards.

    She was appointed to the Order of Canada in 2017. O'Hara started her career in the sketch comedy series Second City Television (1976–1984), where she won the Primetime Emmy Award. She gained acclaim acting in films such as:
    • After Hours (1985),
    • Heartburn (1986),
    • Beetlejuice (1988),
    • Home Alone (1990), and
    • Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992).
    She collaborated with Christopher Guest acting in his mockumentary films:
    • Waiting for Guffman (1996),
    • Best in Show (2000),
    • A Mighty Wind (2003), and
    • For Your Consideration (2006).
    She also voiced roles in films such as:
    • The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993),
    • Chicken Little (2005),
    • Over the Hedge,
    • Monster House (2006),
    • Where the Wild Things Are (2009),
    • Frankenweenie (2012), and
    • Elemental (2023).
    O'Hara gained a career resurgence for her role as Moira Rose in the CBC sitcom Schitt's Creek (2015–2020)... More