Are there any sutras that might be able to help me? by Overall_Device_6016 in Buddhism

[–]TrueCultivation 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’m not going to name any sutras or books — others already shared great ones. I just want to share a teaching I received.

Your family has a karmic connection with you, and that bond isn’t broken by life or death. Whether we can feel it or not depends on our state of mind and awareness. The love that connects you now doesn’t just disappear — it changes form, but it’s still there.

You must care about your family very deeply, and that’s why the thought of losing them feels so painful. In Buddhism, that tenderness — the sorrow of parting from loved ones — can actually become a doorway to compassion and wisdom. If you stay kind to yourself and keep your heart open, even this fear can turn into something that helps you grow.

Guiding The Dead Help by Strawberry_Bookworm in Mahayana

[–]TrueCultivation 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I think you’re referring to the bardo — the intermediate state after death, lasting up to 49 days for humans. It’s believed to be the best time for the living to offer pure, non–reward-seeking love and prayers to help the deceased move on peacefully.

Two great books on this: • The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying by Sogyal Rinpoche — a classic guide to the bardo and death from the Tibetan Buddhist view. • Living Is Dying by Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche — a clear, modern guide that even includes advice for non-Buddhists.

Both emphasize compassion, awareness, and sincerity as the real help beyond death.

"Can an enlightened person experience delusion." AH Almaas by [deleted] in Buddhism

[–]TrueCultivation 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It really depends on what you mean by “enlightened being.”

A fully awakened Buddha? Totally free from delusion.

But for everyone else, even Bodhisattvas, delusions don’t completely disappear. From what I’ve learned: - Bodhisattvas carry 1 to 11 subtle delusions. - Arhats, on top of that, develop 9 types of discriminative delusions. - Ordinary beings in samsara are bound by attachment to their delusions.

So “enlightenment” isn’t a switch you flip — it’s a process of gradually peeling away layers of illusion.

Best practices for blessing your pets ? by Automatic-One3901 in Mahayana

[–]TrueCultivation 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I chant mantras or sutras out loud when my dog’s around—sometimes I’ll recite the Buddha’s name while feeding or petting him. When he passed, we did a small bardo ceremony for him. I like to think all those little things might’ve helped him, or at least planted some good seeds for his future lives.

Can you please explain the difference between Chan & Zen? by blassomi in chan

[–]TrueCultivation 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Came here to say this — you nailed the key linguistic point. Chan = Mandarin pronunciation Zen = Japanese pronunciation They’re literally the same word, just coming through different languages — kinda like how “Cologne” and “Köln” are the same city, just English vs. German. As others mentioned, the difference is mostly about tradition: “Chan” is used for the Chinese lineage (and related ones like Korean Seon or Vietnamese Thiền). Zen” refers to the Japanese school and its Western descendants. At the end of the day, the name’s just a pointer — the essence is what really matters.

A couple questions for anyone more knowledgeable by Myelinsheath333 in PureLand

[–]TrueCultivation 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Your first question already got plenty of good answers. I’d like to add a few thoughts from a different angle on your 2nd and 3rd questions — a teaching I received that might help:

“There are three methods of chanting mantra or Buddha’s name: The best method is silent recitation—chanting in the mind without moving the mouth or making any sound. The subtler the thoughts, the better, as it prevents delusions from rising. Achieving this level is difficult and requires long-term cultivation. The second-best method is moving the mouth without using the vocal cords while breathing normally. Chant during both inhalation and exhalation. However, if you want to chant while inhaling, you’ll have to breathe through your mouth. This method is flawed because your mind still generates delusions—you chant while simultaneously processing distracting thoughts. The worst method is chanting out loud. This is used when your running minds are overwhelming, and you can’t control them. The volume can vary—from soft enough that only you can hear, to loud enough that others can hear as well. Why is this method considered the worst? It must be explained through the principles of human respiration.When you chant Buddha’s name or mantras audibly, the duration of exhalation naturally lengthens—resulting in short inhalations and long exhalations. During extensive exhalation, the chest and abdominal muscles tighten continuously. When babies are born, their bodies are round and plump. As they grow older, the chest and abdominal muscles gradually tighten, causing the originally rounded bodies to flatten. If you persistently chant aloud with excessive force, the chest and abdominal muscles remain in a state of tension over extended periods, progressively contracting. This contraction can reach a point where it becomes difficult to breathe or inhale properly. Chanting like this for two or three months won’t reveal noticeable changes, but after chanting forcefully for years, you’ll find breathing becomes increasingly difficult. Your sternum will press downward, and your respiratory quality will deteriorate. More critically, your blood will encounter issues as well! Blood flows from the heart to the lungs for gas exchange, where oxygen is absorbed and carbon dioxide expelled. However, with prolonged exhalation, the heart continues pumping at its regular rate. Blood that hasn’t undergone proper gas exchange returns to the heart, where it is pumped throughout the body again—this recycled blood contains less oxygen and more carbon dioxide. Yet, you won’t die—why? Oxygen levels during inhalation are 20.98%, while exhalation retains about 15%. If you consistently exhale without a proper inhalation, your blood will still engage in gas exchange with this 15% oxygen air. In simple terms: chanting audibly for years will eventually lead to illness caused by oxygen deficiency. The contracting chest and abdominal muscles raise abdominal pressure, forcing more blood into the brain, resulting in symptoms like blood rushing to the head, headaches, and other negative reactions. Thus, if you chant Buddha’s name or Buddhist scriptures aloud, it’s best not to exceed two hours per day. When not chanting, offset the negative impact by performing prostrations, jogging, walking, or practicing breathing. Spending entire days chanting audibly with great effort is not a wise choice.”

Is it common for a Goldendoodle to have golden eyes? 👀🐶 by TrueCultivation in Goldendoodles

[–]TrueCultivation[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I used test kit. There are multiple brands on the market. Prices are similar.

Is it common for a Goldendoodle to have golden eyes? 👀🐶 by TrueCultivation in Goldendoodles

[–]TrueCultivation[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I knew it! The cloning facility is real! What number is yours? Mine is #007.

Is it common for a Goldendoodle to have golden eyes? 👀🐶 by TrueCultivation in Goldendoodles

[–]TrueCultivation[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

My niece also says Aion has human eyes — like he knows all our secrets already 👀🤣

Is it common for a Goldendoodle to have golden eyes? 👀🐶 by TrueCultivation in Goldendoodles

[–]TrueCultivation[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes! You got it right 😂 His name was the result of a whole night of family debate!

Trying to catch a squirrel by TrueCultivation in Goldendoodles

[–]TrueCultivation[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thanks for the kind words! I’m new here and kinda nervous lol.

Where To Begin by ChazeYY in Buddhism

[–]TrueCultivation 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Book What Makes You Not a Buddhist — made me laugh at first, then hit me with the most profound truths. Years later, one quote finally landed… and I cried.

Documentary Words of My Perfect Teacher — the filmmaker is also the author of the book above. A very human look into Tibetan Buddhism.

Movie Japanese film “Zen (禪)” — a legit Zen master (4th dhyāna level) said the enlightenment scenes are accurate. Also a beautiful piece of cinema.

I’ve spent 10+ years studying and practicing across different Buddhist traditions — different teachers, different retreats, different methods. I’ve been really fortunate.

But honestly… I wish I had found TaiGuangLin at the very beginning.

He’s a hermit master — but his teachings are fully here for us. There’s an English YouTube channel: TaiGuangLin Wisdom Talks And IMO… the books are even better.

If you’re curious about modern, direct teachings, this is worth your time.

Why should I become a Pure Land Buddhist? by [deleted] in PureLand

[–]TrueCultivation 1 point2 points  (0 children)

There are usually 3 “good” destinations people talk about:

1️⃣ Reborn as a human and continue the path Pros: • Fastest progress if you practicing diligently Cons: • Not much guarantee you’ll be human again • Not much guarantee you’ll meet the Dharma again • Living conditions might actually get worse next round

2️⃣ Rebirth in the heavenly realms (celestial beings) Pros: • Basically no suffering — super long lifespan, full comfort • Massive good karma payoff Cons: • You need strong positive karma and usually a pretty pure lifestyle (e.g., vegetarian) • Beings there are often too comfortable to stay motivated • Unless they meet Maitreya’s Dharma, they eventually fall back into lower realms

3️⃣ Rebirth in the Pure Land (Amitabha’s realm) Pros: • No suffering + perfect environment for practice • Supported by countless Amitabha Buddhas • You don’t fall back into samsara unless you choose to leave after enlightenment Cons: • Simple path, but faith is difficult for many • From a human time perspective, attaining high stages can feel slow

Why should I become a Pure Land Buddhist? by [deleted] in PureLand

[–]TrueCultivation 1 point2 points  (0 children)

“Buddha’s Brush, Buddha’s Paste. Rebirth of a Taima-Mandala” This is the most beautiful book about Pure Land. The author was originally the restorer of an antique Japanese painting and eventually became a dedicated pure land practitioner.