[abid]

At first on my journey I was binge reading posts, trying to understand everything and make connections based on my preexisting knowledge (NDEs, OBEs, afterlife, kamma etc.)

Gradually I found that interpreting all the pali words correctly also considering correct contexts is very time consuming. I wish that the whole website just explained everything in pure english with still the correct meanings retained but I understand why ven.Lal made the choice of using pali.

It’s also hard to know where the foundational, root knowledge is. Even on the basic posts listed, 

It’s also easy to get lost in the other linked pages in a single post, you read one post to understand another post and then you read another linked post to understand that post! I get so lost. I wish everything was explained all at once, starting at the root level, foundations accessible to everyone and then building up slowly to the pinnacle of advanced Buddha Dhamma and the entire big picture.

Criticisms aside, the content of what’s written is very profound once understood. But these explanations that include pali words with true definitions hidden to most and changing contexts distorting meanings it makes things very complicated. I felt the benefits of understanding but I wish other people had better chances if the information was presented more simply. From A-Z

This would lower the barrier of entry for other aspirants too

[abid]

I totally understand though that this can be just a me problem. All the information is there, but as ven.Lal said before, one has to take the time to seriously dig through the posts and contemplate in quiet time and it’s not some trivial read. 

this could just be a form of avija trying to make my mind sleepy when trying to learn Buddha Dhamma with much effort. Serious study is needed but a part of me wished that this profound information was presented in an easier to digest way. But I can only get stronger and keep diligently trying

[Lal]

I understand your frustration.

• The issue is that the audience has a wide range of understanding. Some are just starting, some others could be at the Sotapanna stage, and many are in between. So, it is difficult, if not impossible, to write a post that satisfies the whole audience.
• The current series of posts (“Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta – New Series”) is the hardest, since it tackles the deepest aspects of Buddha’s teachings. At that level, one cannot teach without using Pali words, because many Pali words do not have a single corresponding word in English. 
• You can look at posts in the following sections. They address fundamental aspects: “Moral Living and Fundamentals” and “Living Dhamma.” 
• Also, look at Bhikkhu Bodhi’s YouTube videos. They are not fully compatible with this website, but one can get a good idea of the fundamentals, as I recall (I have not watched one in recent years). See, for example, “Bhikkhu Bodhi: Introduction to Buddhism Series.”

1 user thanked author for this post.

abid

[abid]

Lal wrote:

I understand your frustration.

• The issue is that the audience has a wide range of understanding. Some are just starting, some others could be at the Sotapanna stage, and many are in between. So, it is difficult, if not impossible, to write a post that satisfies the whole audience.
• The current series of posts (“Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta – New Series”) is the hardest, since it tackles the deepest aspects of Buddha’s teachings. At that level, one cannot teach without using Pali words, because many Pali words do not have a single corresponding word in English. 
• You can look at posts in the following sections. They address fundamental aspects: “Moral Living and Fundamentals” and “Living Dhamma.” 
• Also, look at Bhikkhu Bodhi’s YouTube videos. They are not fully compatible with this website, but one can get a good idea of the fundamentals, as I recall (I have not watched one in recent years). See, for example, “Bhikkhu Bodhi: Introduction to Buddhism Series.”

Thank you 🙏 Yes this makes sense because even the Buddha himself didn’t teach everybody the same way because everyone is at different levels. Instead the Buddha explained the Dhamma from multiple angles which makes most sense. 

I may have to make a pali pop up dictionary based on defintions provided in the glossary section so I can better comprehend posts because maybe the other dictionary is outdated it seems this is my main issue

[DhammaSponge]

You can also try interleaving with content outside of this website, especially desanas where you listen to what’s being said rather than simply read.

 

This Zoom series is given by a monk very closely related to Waharaka Thero- it teaches you the core parts of Dhamma but ALSO what to meditate on.

1 user thanked author for this post.

abid

[abid]

DhammaSponge wrote:

You can also try interleaving with content outside of this website, especially desanas where you listen to what’s being said rather than simply read.

 

This Zoom series is given by a monk very closely related to Waharaka Thero- it teaches you the core parts of Dhamma but ALSO what to meditate on.

Yes I’ll need to get around to listening to this series thank you. I need to compile a collection of english discourses and maybe subtitle them

[Jittananto]

Also see Why Buddhism. 

1 user thanked author for this post.

abid

[Christian]

2 users thanked author for this post.

abid, Jittananto

[Author]

Posts