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I was a Christian but now I am a student under the school on Zen Buddhism.

Hey Alan, I'm new to Buddhism, and while I have no difficulty believing in the Four Noble Truths, samsara, rebirth, no supreme God, karma, no self, I have difficulty in believing in certain supernatural gains of serious meditation (walking through walls, telepathy, etc). I do believe the Buddha taught many things that were ahead of his time and that science has confirmed (matter cannot be created or destroyed, cause and effect, nature of impermanence) but I'm having a hard time believing in the miracles\supernatural aspects I mentioned above since we cannot prove them. I would appreciate your advice and your take. Thank you.

Spot On. Am glad the right word is being used, i e REBIRTH and not so technically accurate word in REINCARNATION. The latter suggests an entity, identity or soul which reincarnates but karmic energy has no identity , thus, does not accurately describe Rebirth according to the Buddha.

Is having a Buddha statue an absolute must or is it optional?

I’d like you to address something for me. I notice you talk a lot about the cycle of rebirth and I wonder what your understanding of that is. There is no reincarnation in Buddhism. Not the way people think of it. Before I share my view, I’d like to hear yours.

Great video! I love your channel.

I don't distinguish between reincarnation and rebirth. This is a Western approach that trys to be so percise that it really misses the point.

I would disagree with your position on reincarnation. The i, me, and mine exists. They are samsaric (cyclic and imperfect). They have a beginning and an end. They are, born/reborn, fade/changing, and can die. But in order for their existence to end completely and thus breaking the imperfect cycles of samsara. This requires wisdom, morality, and concentration/will-power.

Excellent - if you wish self esteem - do “esteem able acts “

I'm new to Buddhism so this was interesting to hear your perspective on Mala Beads. Towards the end you mention that you are extra careful with them as they are an instrument. While I don't disagree - I love wearing mine as much as possible. Around my neck during normal activities, around my wrist when doing things like yard work. If I shower or go swimming I take them off and leave them at my towel. I wear them around my wrist when I sleep. The beads remind me to be mindful. The beads remind me that life is impermanent. The beads often remind me to recite Sutras in my head while doing random tasks (like dishes). They help keep Buddha's teachings in my mind and heart all day, every day.

Great explanations…Amitoufo 🙏🏾

This is a very beautiful video. ❤ Namo Buddhay 🙏☸️ Jay Bhim ☸️

Alan - I have been seeking a step by step daily practice. You love used “Skillfull means to others various illustrations and examples “ bringing great merit and virtue . This “anchors “‘my practice - wonderfully organized , easy to understand with excellent suggestions You’re a Buddhist sensei ❤

Thank you so much for making these videos. They really are a pleasure to watch and your approach to these topics help make them less complicated and confusing for me. Seems I’m finding my footing a bit more.

Do you have to speak out loud, kind of takes me out of it when I realize my christian parents can hear me?

Namo Amitabha ❤

Beautiful ❤Alan

Thank you. Very clear, suitable and instructive for Western people who are trying to understand Pure Land Buddhism. 南無阿弥陀仏 🙏🏻

Thank you for you knowledge and sharing.

I'm a new student of Theravada Buddhism. Thank you for teaching me how to go about daily practice.

Very nice Informative Small question, for an American that has never read Lotus Sutra, do you have a suggestion on a user friendly Lotus Sutra?

Hello Alan, thank you very much for this video! I have a question about prostrations while traveling. I will be going camping with someone in tight quarters, so I won't be able to do prostrations inside and I don't feel comfortable doing prostrations outside where other people may see me and think that I'm doing something strange and they may feel uncomfortable. Would it be ok to do a shorter bow from the waist instead of the full prostration? Thank you

Can you describe the difference between stored consciousness and the theory of a soul.

How come we can all become a buddha but there is only one Buddha per era ?

Really advanced philosophy for its time! Imagine if the world heard these teachings instead of the other religions...

Wonderful.

So it might be correct to assume as babies we're born in a state of nirvana and then the environment we're born into teaches and instills samsara into us and now the go is to regain our original self ?!!

Fantastic video! I did want to say It's correct Buddha's aren't eternal, up until you get to the lotus Sutra. The lotus sutra makes it clear, Buddha is omniscient and omnipresent. Paranibbana is skillful mean, and he abides forever, it's made very clear.

This reminds me a lot of the chotki/komboskini system deployed by Christian monastics (and some laity). Very inspiring. I love investigating the variety of cultural traditions of the world.

I would like to take refuge in the triple gem. However, there isn't a Vihara or temple near grand forks ND. What could i do?

This video is incorrect. You are not supposed to use your index finger at all with mala beads. You are supposed to use your middle finger next to the index finger.

What type of Buddhist altar is this?

You are the first I've heard call Mara a Deitiy". I've always heard that Mara a Demon.

Gassho. Ty for sharing

Trees, being living entities, alive, ARE indeed sentient brings.

In what are these karmas stored, In what are they transferred

It took me a world religion class, a lot of reading, a great courses series, and finally attending a local temple to get to know what is taught here in any real detail. I just want to add, this is a really well done overview that I wish I had available when my little journey started. 🙏🏻

Count me in

Thank you so much for this! You have some great ideas here, and I very much appreciate your videos!

Just to put it in my simple terms it's Karma that moves on, Karma is Reborn.

Looks like you misspelled "Practice" (pratice) in the introduction picture

❤

You’re excellent teacher I wish I could learn more from you I need a teacher

I'm currently doing a video on the Four Noble Truths, and the five Aggregates is one of the harder things to explain properly add your introduction sums it up pretty well

Thank You so much. Sadhu Sadhu

I really wanna promote this video

How does rebirth into the human realm work with the timelines in the kalpas and what we know about the timelines presented in evolution?

NAM MÔ A DI ĐÀ PHẬT - Vietnamese Pure Land Chant - Pure Land is practiced along with Zen in Vietnamese-American temples. This is a beautiful form of Buddhism!

hi alan. hopefully you see my question. is good or wholesome karma rebirth? are we trying to end it?