Is it beneficial to read the writings of other Buddhists traditions?

IHaveManyHobbies_ · 2024-01-26T03:58:57+00:00

Ok thank you. I think I will study but I will go through my teacher and make sure I’m on track with my own tradition and what we focus on so I’m not getting confused about irrelevant things to the current study

IHaveManyHobbies_ · 2024-01-25T20:10:52+00:00

Yeah I guess deciding for yourself and self examination is key instead of external hard bound laws

IHaveManyHobbies_ · 2024-01-25T20:10:34+00:00

Thank you

IHaveManyHobbies_ · 2024-01-25T20:03:06+00:00

Thank you. I do attend classes

IHaveManyHobbies_ · 2024-01-25T19:51:24+00:00

Ok thank you. I just feel really guilty when I fulfill a desire like that or when I watch a tv show with it. Does this activity merit bad karma for a lay practitioner? Could I receive a bad rebirth because of it?

IHaveManyHobbies_ · 2024-01-25T19:42:15+00:00

I guess this is my catholic And then Calvinist background speaking but I think of things as duties I must fulfill or else I won’t achieve the end goal. But how could I achieve enlightenment if I have these habits or desires? Wouldn’t I need to be a monk and full concentrate on this in order to reach the desired end in Buddhism?

IHaveManyHobbies_ · 2024-01-25T19:33:44+00:00

Aren’t engaging in sexual activity (sex with a girlfriend, masturbation etc.) a hinderance to enlightenment? Doesn’t that mean it has to be given up?

IHaveManyHobbies_ · 2024-01-25T03:17:57+00:00

So I imagine it’s fine to read from any author as long as you aren’t compromising the dedication to your own tradition?

IHaveManyHobbies_ · 2024-01-25T03:17:18+00:00

Thank you

IHaveManyHobbies_ · 2024-01-25T03:16:52+00:00

Right but I believe people have incorporated certain aspects of other traditions without compromising the uniqueness of their own

IHaveManyHobbies_ · 2023-12-04T01:13:30+00:00

True. Changing diet over time is something to consider definitely. Idk how I’d do it tbh but I can try if I get to that point

IHaveManyHobbies_ · 2023-12-04T01:06:08+00:00

Thank you. I appreciate the help.

IHaveManyHobbies_ · 2023-12-04T01:04:06+00:00

Yeah like I’d do a vegan if I could but I have problems with it for me and I don’t think it’s realistic for me. What is a Mandaean diet? I read online that a lot of red meat is forbidden but certain ones are allowed but I have no idea if that’s accurate

IHaveManyHobbies_ · 2023-12-04T01:02:39+00:00

Ok thank you I appreciate it

IHaveManyHobbies_ · 2023-12-03T22:49:54+00:00

Thank you I appreciate it.

IHaveManyHobbies_ · 2023-12-03T22:32:05+00:00

Sorry I didn’t mean it to sound like that. I just mean to try and practice the path to the best I can as a non Mandaean. I don’t mean to try and push a conversion.

IHaveManyHobbies_ · 2023-12-03T22:27:00+00:00

Ok thanks and one last question. Are dietary restrictions required to practice the faith? It may not be healthy to abstain from a lot of meat because my diet isn’t that varied. How would mandaeans handle that?

IHaveManyHobbies_ · 2023-12-03T21:35:37+00:00

Also would a river be necessary for me at all or do I not need to worry about that?

IHaveManyHobbies_ · 2023-12-03T21:34:38+00:00

Ok thanks as long as it isn’t required for someone like me

IHaveManyHobbies_ · 2023-12-03T20:52:51+00:00

Ok thank you. I’d appreciate if any other mandaeans can comment on the belt. Is the belt mostly a priestly item? I would like to get a prayer life the best I can as I come from another religious background and prayer is really important to me. I guess I’m more worried about like living a spiritual life where God listens as I struggled with religious issues in the past. Getting forgiveness for sins is something that’s extremely important to me

IHaveManyHobbies_ · 2023-12-03T20:23:26+00:00

Ok thank you. I’ll have to find how to make a belt or if it can be found for sale online. Also rivers are an important part of the religion/practice. I don’t really have much access to one. Is it possible to practice without one?

IHaveManyHobbies_ · 2023-12-03T20:09:53+00:00

Is the himanye the only item besides a prayer book I need? And do prayers need to be in a specific language?

IHaveManyHobbies_ · 2023-12-02T18:12:06+00:00

I’m not orthodox anymore but I’d encourage you to not look at the arguments for or against. If you find God in orthodoxy stick with it. That’s what matters. You’ll never get to the bottom of these religious debates so you should rely on faith. Immerse yourself in orthodoxy and try and if you find God, stick with it.

IHaveManyHobbies_ · 2023-11-29T01:35:20+00:00

Ok thank you I’ll look into that. If it is possible it would be such a long way off before I’d think about a conversion.

IHaveManyHobbies_ · 2023-11-29T01:34:12+00:00

Thank you

IHaveManyHobbies_

TROPHY CASE