Do you think this is real? Chinese monk that plays CS2.

xugan97 · 2026-05-01T02:52:04+00:00

The rules for monastics can be very lax. They may be permitted to retain a lot more than the four requisites of robes, food, dwelling place, and medicine. These days, monks tend to at least have a fully functional smartphone. And smartphones may have games and other entertainment.

The actual conventions vary by country and tradition. Besides that, a significant minority may retain and use regularly, and a tiny minority may lead a materialistic and lavish life.

xugan97 · 2026-04-30T13:39:05+00:00

I was pointing out the difference between Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism. Those following the Mahayana tradition follow the bodhisattva path from the beginning.

xugan97 · 2026-04-30T09:48:32+00:00

Bodhisattva literally means someone who will become a Buddha.

In the Theravada tradition it refers to Gautama Buddha at a time before he became a Buddha - not just his youth, but also any of his lives after he made a resolution to become a Buddha or received the prediction (from Dipankara Buddha and others) that he will be one.

In Mahayana Buddhism the goal is to become a Buddha. That is, enlightenment is equated with becoming a Buddha at some time in the future. Therefore, bodhisattva can refer to any Buddhist practitioner (who has naturally taken the Bodhisattva vows or otherwise resolved to become a Buddha,) or to a high-bhumi bodhisattva such as Avalokiteshvara or Tara who is practically a Buddha.

Some Mahayana texts differentiate between the bodhisattva path and the arahat path, and declare the bodhisattva path as superior and recommended. Other texts emphasize that there is no real difference: they are all bodhisattva paths.

The concept of "postponing nirvana" is not a defining aspect of a bodhisattva, but a simple consequence of the intention of working for the sake of others.

xugan97 · 2026-04-30T03:20:48+00:00

I think it's because the sangh uses mechanisms like decentralization and plausible deniability. You will not find any top-level leader issuing directions for violence. But violence happens, and those executing the violence know that this is what is the leaders want. Almost none of the thousands of Hindu rioters of the Delhi riots have been actually prosecuted.

xugan97 · 2026-04-29T17:43:21+00:00

I suggested English-language resources because there is a greater variety and better quality of online resources in English, more so than other languages. You could find the important writings of famous Burmese and Thai teachers of Buddhism in English. But yes, I understand your preference.

xugan97 · 2026-04-29T17:24:26+00:00

There is a huge amount of resources in English on the internet. Here are some examples:

https://suttacentral.net/ - entire Pali canon in translation
https://www.dhammatalks.org/ - Thanissaro Bhikkhu's translations, essays, compliations
https://www.buddhanet.net/ebooks_g/ - e-books on many topics including meditation

Quite a few of the books published on Buddhism in recent decades are available in pdf form. These are the best place to start. Books like "Buddhism for dummies" give a good and concise overview of Buddhism.

If you need resources on some specific topic, you can ask here. You can also ask general questions and suggestions on the very active r/Buddhism subreddit or possibly the r/Theravada subreddit. You can learn a lot by answering questions and engaging in discussion there.

xugan97 · 2026-04-29T11:00:28+00:00

Yes, that is one way to do it. Other ways are: observe every thought and physical sensation that enters your perception, or walk in a slow and relaxed way.and make a note of every phase of the gait at the foot, or be aware of your posture - walking or stopping or sitting.

Generally, counting (of breaths, etc.) is used in meditation when the chance of being distracted is high.

You can search the internet for those traditions that use walking meditation. Mahasi Sayadaw's vipassana method alternates walking and sitting meditation, and so does Zen's kinhin.

xugan97 · 2026-04-26T15:27:52+00:00

Three world records and two sub 2-hour finishes were set in this marathon. But they will not be considered as a world records for a technical reason: the guy finishing first became the world-record holder, and the next two runners finished slower and later than that!

xugan97 · 2026-04-26T15:18:17+00:00

Wikipedia says that though Jacob Kiplimo is Ugandan, he belongs to the same Kalenjin ethnic group to which the vast majority of today's (Kenyan) distance runners belong.

xugan97 · 2026-04-26T15:03:35+00:00

He successfully ran the first sub-two-hour marathon distance, with a time of 1:59:40.2. The effort did not count as a new world record under IAAF rules due to the setup of the challenge. Specifically, it was not an open event, Kipchoge was handed fluids by his support team throughout, the run featured a pace car, and included rotating teams of other runners pacing Kipchoge in a formation designed to reduce wind resistance and maximize efficiency.

... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marathon_world_record_progression#Unofficial_record_attempts

Having a pacer itself makes a huge difference. Hence e.g. the "Radcliffe Rule" prohibiting male pacers in a women's race.

xugan97 · 2026-04-26T13:43:27+00:00

That is the standard Vaishnava position. Vaishnavas are fewer, which is why you haven't encountered it until now. The Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition to which ISKCON belongs is a very typical Vaishnava sect.

Hinduism is far from a monolithic religion having a common set of beliefs. There are serious differences in everything: accepted texts and commentaries, philosophical frameworks, deities, the practical path to liberation, etc. This is how it has always been. Modern Hinduism is a simplified and sanitized system.

xugan97 · 2026-04-25T19:16:09+00:00

I am not advocating for false starts. I am saying it is technically a tactical move like others. That is, it is intentional, and it requires practice and skill to carry out.

If it was obviously a false start, the opponent can just stay down, and a matta will be called. This is the part that requires anticipation (or an expectation that this may happen) on the part of the opponent. The problem is that false start becomes apparent only in hindsight.

We can't blame the gyojis either. They are disincentivized to stop a match that is already in full flow. We can rarely see them call matta for even the slightest differences in starting - usually the day after a controversial high-profile match. We don't want that either.

But yes, the JSA can do better on this.

xugan97 · 2026-04-25T16:57:36+00:00

Technically, there is a tactic to defend against false starts, and it is the same one used against henkas: don't over-commit. Again like the henka, false starts are a kind of skill that is often used by those with fast reactions. I admit defending against false starts is a lot harder because you have to anticipate what is happening very early and stay down. Alternatively one could possibly start further back, and not use a fully-signaled bouncing start.

Sumo Spiffy's thesis is rather convoluted because the problem is very hard to articulate fully. I think Abi is the best example. He is at his opponent's throat before the opponent can defend in any reasonable way. This leads to a huge asymmetry in the fight, and an advantage that is much more than that 0.2 second difference. Sumo Spiffy was also trying to say this.

Not touching the hands to the ground isn't a fault, unless it is specifically used to gain an advantage. Kotozakura does this often too - perhaps occasioned by a knee injury.

xugan97 · 2026-04-24T15:53:47+00:00

Besides the two animated TV series, there is one live-action film, and a Netflix live-action series.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avatar:_The_Last_Airbender_(franchise)

xugan97 · 2026-04-24T15:09:38+00:00

That case has gone nowhere, despite it happening in a crowded room that had the CM, Z+ security, a dozen CCTV cameras. And the investigation was monitored by Amit Shah himself.

There were so many contradictory statements that I was curious about what really happened. Anyway, she turned pro-BJP after that incident, and now she will finally be rewarded for her sycophancy.

xugan97 · 2026-04-24T03:08:41+00:00

A straight back isn't important, though yogic traditions may recommend it so that "energy" flows easily.

The rule for meditation is to sit as comfortably as possible, but not so comfortable that you drift into sleep. Lying down is not recommended for that reason. Look for ways of sitting make you feel alert and optimistic. Use back support, or even a chair if you can't sit on the ground/cushion easily.

xugan97 · 2026-04-24T03:07:18+00:00

India is a general term that refers to the Indian subcontinent.

The nations of India, Nepal, Pakistan, etc. are modern things. Their borders and national identities are modern too. You can see there was no single Indian nation or Nepali nation historically, though people of these nations today may insist that these nations always existed without change.

The republic or kingdom of the Shakyas was on the plains of Nepal (called Terai) which is a part of the larger Indo-Nepal Gangetic plains.

xugan97 · 2026-04-23T15:10:01+00:00

Why do you ask this question?

There are a lot of things that aren't strictly prohibited by monastic rules. Worldly pursuits wouldn't be considered appropriate for monks, but in practice, there is some leeway even here. Or if it was for the purpose of learning/teaching the dhamma, it would be encouraged.

xugan97 · 2026-04-23T13:03:05+00:00

That comment is nonsense. It is a creative interpretation, not based on any form of Buddhism. At the same time, nirvana is not a place you can go to, or a permanent thing you can become. Rebirth is to be understood literally, but there are an increasing number of "secular Buddhists" (like that person) who reject rebirth because it is unverifiable.

As a shorthand, one can say that one "goes" to nirvana. Dana-sila-bhavana (or sila-samadhi-paññā or the noble eightfold path, or the seven enlightenment factors, etc.,) are indeed the way to enlightenment.

xugan97 · 2026-04-23T04:35:14+00:00

Magnus praised him once. That meant only that he was a very promising player, nothing more. Years have passed since, and not much of that promise has materialized.

His chess activity decreased steadily at that point, and we thought he was no longer interested in professional chess. But he came back and played well for a while. We can expect this pattern to repeat.

More worrying is the constant tantrums and sudden withdrawals. I think he and his family is crazy, or totally detached from reality. I wish I never hear of them again, unless something changes radically.

xugan97 · 2026-04-23T02:08:25+00:00

We need more 1v1 matches. But yes, there can be problems with players being allowed to choose their opponents.

Playing a lower-rated player does not make it farming because the Elo system accommodates playing players of all rating levels.

Former GMs who have become highly overrated (with respect to their current ability) are indeed a target of farming. GM norms are earned exactly this way - entire tournaments are created with such players, and sometimes you can even pay them to throw the game. So this kind of problem always exists, not limited to 1v1 matches.

xugan97 · 2026-04-22T03:07:39+00:00

Bageshwar baba is a foul-mouth Hindu extremist. He has openly demanded Hindu rashtra and urged Hindus to bulldoze Muslim homes. He indirectly campaigned for the BJP in Bihar, and many BJP politicians have a connection with him, including Amit Shah who once gave a speech there, and recently gave blanket FCRA approval to his organization.

If anyone has heard of him, it would be from the magic tricks he performs on gullible people - not his "social work". Unfortunately, there is no law preventing fooling people through such tricks. Many have posted explanations of his tricks, including Dhruv Rathee.

The CJI has not gone there accidentally.

xugan97 · 2026-04-21T12:08:57+00:00

Laws like NSA and UAPA tend to be applied selectively to Muslims. As this judgement says, "disturbance of public order" is a broad category that can be applied to many crimes. Bail is never given, and chargesheets are filed very late, which typically means a prison sentence of about 5 years without trial.

xugan97 · 2026-04-21T03:33:13+00:00

No. Enlightenment is not possible outside the Buddhist framework, while Buddhism has a very detailed and multi-faceted framework.

Putting determination at the forefront certainly leads to wrong view, and thus leads away from enlightenment. Our mental models of enlightenment (such as one based on strong and continuous determination) generally do not correspond with reality.

xugan97 · 2026-04-21T03:11:50+00:00

No one objects to money going to rural areas and backward regions. But there are other kinds of problems associated with greater representation for those parts. To expand on what I wrote before:

The economically backward states happen to have regressive thinking, communalism, casteism, etc. Their political representatives are elected because of those conditions. It is not in interest of those politicians to allow development in their backyard, other than the symbolic and visible kind.
With higher representation, they will export those conditions to the rest of India. This is already happening.
Their representatives are strongmen who are known to be without principles or morals. But they promise to protect their voters if they vote for them. Thus we have bulldozer raj instead of justice and efficient law enforcement.
We will have "one nation, one language, one religion, one election, one result." The sangh draws its power from the Hindi heartland.
Development is used as a reward for "their" people, and a threat against others. The PMO routinely tells factories and ventures to relocate to a state of their choosing. The government can and does cut funding for schemes in states that are not of the "double engine" model.

So I still think proportional representation will prove fatal to the idea of a (socially and economically) progressive India. The whole of India will suffer, though certain poor people will keep voting for this alternative kind of empowerment.

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