Answer by Suminda Sirinath S. Dharmasena for Term for instructual terms

All these are collectively referred as the Dhamma.

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Answer by Suminda Sirinath S. Dharmasena for What does atheist mean by Buddha?

Buddhism accept there are deities in this sense it is not atheism but hold the position the deities have a finite life like any other being and are not alimity / omnipotence (unlimited power), creator deity, omniscience (infinite knowledge), omnipresence (present everywhere), omnibenevolence (perfect goodness) which slants more towards atheism.

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Answer by Suminda Sirinath S. Dharmasena for Which Hindrances are counteracted or enhance by the 37 and Jhana Factors?

This is just an outline of a few things I have collected so far:

Sensual Desire

...

One-pointedness of mind, of the factors of absorption (jhananga);

Mindfulness, of the spiritual faculties (indriya);

Mindfulness, of the factors of enlightenment (bojjhanga).

---

Ill-Will

...

Rapture, of the factors of absorption (jhananga);

Faith, of the spiritual faculties (indriya);

Rapture and equanimity, of the factors of enlightenment (bojjhanga).

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Sloth and Torpor

...

Applied thought, of the factors of absorptions (jhananga); Energy, of the spiritual faculties (indriya); Investigation of reality, energy and rapture, of the factors of enlightenment (bojjhanga).

When the mind is sluggish, it is not the proper time for cultivating the following factors of enlightenment: tranquillity, concentration and equanimity, because a sluggish mind can hardly be aroused by them.

When the mind is sluggish, it is the proper time for cultivating the following factors of enlightenment: investigation of reality, energy and rapture, because a sluggish mind can easily be aroused by them.

— SN 46:53

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Restlessness and Remorse

...

Rapture, of the factors of absorption (jhananga);

Concentration, of the spiritual faculties (indriya);

Tranquillity, concentration and equanimity, of the factors of enlightenment (bojjhanga).

When the mind is restless it is not the proper time for cultivating the following factors of enlightenment: investigation of the doctrine, energy and rapture, because an agitated mind can hardly be quietened by them.

When the mind is restless, it is the proper time for cultivating the following factors of enlightenment: tranquillity, concentration and equanimity, because an agitated mind can easily be quietened by them.

— SN 46:53

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Doubt

...

Reflection, of the factors of absorption (jhananga);

Wisdom, of the spiritual faculties (indriya);

Investigation of reality, of the factors of enlightenment (bojjhanga).

Source: The Five Mental Hindrances and Their Conquest, SN 46.53 - Fire

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Answer by Suminda Sirinath S. Dharmasena for How to achieve consciousness in nirvana?

At the point of Nirvana consciousness ceases momentarily and starts again when you come out of the Phala Samapatti. At this point you see the the collapse and reforming of the links of Conditional Relations / Dependent Origination.

how then will we know (be conscious of) our achieving this “nirvana”?

You have seen the cessation of the 5 aggregates and start of it through full experiential knowledge of seeing the working of cause and effect.

How can we be “conscious” of this, if “consciousness” will no longer exist?

You need not be conscious about Nirvana but you insight into cause and effect will make a paradigm shift in your outlook about the 5 aggregates.

Also see: How does stream entry occur?

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Answer by Suminda Sirinath S. Dharmasena for Shaking REM and movement

In short this can be due to:

• past fabrications surfacing rapidly and creating uncommon experiences
• perhaps less likely but a possibility is Piti which sometimes create vibrating and / or pulsating experiences

Also see: eye movement during meditation, I get rapid eye movement as soon as meditation starts

These experiences are neither good nor bad. Also do not get attached or averse to them. In additions concentrate on the task at hand than giving importance and distracting your self when there experiences do arise in your meditation session.

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Answer by Suminda Sirinath S. Dharmasena for Can a Buddhist use antibacterial soap?

There istance a monk with psychic ability looked into the water and saw there were microbes and asked the Buddha if drinking will harm them. Buddha said don't look and drink.

One intention of Buddhist morality is the stabilize the mind so it is free from remorse and so it can develop concentration and wisdom.

So if you use antibacterial soap without much thought there are microbs and intention of killing microbes then there will be not issue.

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Answer by Suminda Sirinath S. Dharmasena for How can I assess the quality of a local Buddhist group?

how do I assess the quality of a local Buddhist group

See if they adhere to the principles of teaching the Dhamma:

(1) One should teach the Dharma to others, thinking, “I will talk on the progressive teaching.”

(2) One should teach the Dharma to others, thinking, “I will teach understanding the context.”

(3) One should teach the Dharma to others, thinking, “I will teach the Dharma out of compassion.”

(4) One should teach the Dharma to others, thinking, “I will teach the Dharma not for the sake of material gain.”

(5) One should teach the Dharma to others, thinking, “I will teach the Dharma without hurting myself or others.”

Source: (Dhamma,desaka) Udāyī Sutta

Also for you to progress the teacher in the community should be good. Qualities of a good teacher is:

(1) He is a listener sotā.

(2) He is able to make others listen sāvetā.

(3) He is a learner uggahetā.

(4) He is a memorizer [has a good memory] dhāretā.

(5) He is a knower [has a good understanding] viññātā.

(6) He is an instructor [able to makes others understand] viññāpetā.

(7) He is skilled regarding what is beneficial and what is not kusala sahitâhitassa.

(8) He is not quarrelsome no kalaha,kārako.

Source: Piya Tan's summary of Dūta Sutta

how close they are to the original teachings of the Buddha?

See if the teaching fits the essence of what the Buddha has taught.

The Buddha teaches the ridding of lustful desires.

The ridding of lustful desires towards the 5 aggregates.

Seeing the disadvantage (ādīnava) of the 5 aggregates, namely, suffering arises from lustfully desiring any of the 5 aggregates.

Seeing the advantage (ānisaṁsa) of letting go of the 5 aggregates, namely, being free of suffering.

The unwholesome (akusala) brings suffering here and hereafter.

The wholesome (kusala) brings happiness here and hereafter.

Source: Piya Tan's Summary of (Pacchā,bhūma,gāmikā) Deva,daha Sutta

The teachings should encompass cultivating and promoting which is the true purpose of teaching the Dhamma:

(1) the 3 good truths (saddhamma);

(2) the 12 links of dependent arising (paṭicca,samuppāda); and

(3) the “revulsion” (nibbidā) formula.

Source: Piya Tan's summary of (Nibbidā) Dhamma,kathika Sutta

Also see if the teachings promote Dhamma and Vinaya as in (Dhamma,vinaya) Gotamī Sutta. It should promote good of oneself and good of others (which is discussed in detail in (Aṭṭhaka) Alaṁ Sutta).

If the teaching is for gain, honour and praise then this is not in tune with the true teachings. [Bhindi Sutta]

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