What decides the nature of the next life ?
The nature of our deeds (Karma), whether it is good or bad, will decide the characteristics of our next life.
Does a human be reincarnated as a human after his death all the time ?
There is no other person who saw the existence of birth and death (the Sansara) like the Supreme Buddha. The Great One saw each and everyone’s births as animals like pigs, chickens, snakes, dogs, and so on and so forth. He also revealed the existence of low-level (Niraya, Preta, Asura) and high-level (deity) worlds, and how the beings are born in those worlds. Accordingly, not everyone is reborn as humans after their deaths.
How does a dead person transfer from one body to another ?
After the death of a person, the five matters of attachments (Pancha Upadanskandha) correspond to that birth detached from its current body or location and conceive at another place. That is how one dies and be born as another person in somewhere.
Where do humans and animals come from? Where do they go after their deaths ?
The Supreme Buddha saw the endless journey of birth and death of all beings. It is remarkable how insightful the way he taught us about the reincarnation. He saw the way we are trapped within this journey without even knowing it. He described about this situation in his whole life, so that we can get at least some idea about how dangerous this journey is. Buddha taught us that if there is someone who is born in this world today, then that person should have been born somewhere prior to this life. If he could not realize Dhamma in this life, [...]
What is the most esteemed service that a monk can do to the world ?
A true monkhood is based on protecting and practicing Buddha’s word as it is. It is monks’ great responsibility to practice Dhamma and teach others without distorting it. Inclusion of their own views is not necessary and should be regarded it as tainting the Buddha’s noble teachings. Then only the Dhamma would be prevailed for long time. Thus, the esteemed service a monk can do to the world is to practice and teach others Buddha’s teachings in its pure form.
What will happen if everyone join the monkhood ?
Buddha once told that the attachment of a person to the lay life is stronger than an unbreakable iron chain. Therefore, not everyone of this world has the strength to break those attachments and become a monk. It is impossible to see everyone in the world join the monkhood.
Why Buddhist monks wear red or brown colored robes ?
Our teacher, the Buddha, approved wearing red-brown colored robes. These types of colors made out of chips of trees emanate odors that would prevent flies or mosquitoes to come near or bother the monks. These colors also help the monks being seen from far in the forests. In fact, red-brown colored robes look simple. Having a robe worn with one simple color, makes the monks to think simply about their own beauty as well.
Is the monkhood compulsory to realize Nibbana?
There are three stages of realizing Dhamma (Magaphala) before stepping to the fourth stage or the final stage, which is the attainment of Nibbana. All those three stages can be attained within being a layperson. If someone fully realized Dhamma and became an Arahant, he will not live the lay life anymore spending time on accumulating worldly pleasures and items. Thus, an Arahant cannot live as a layperson anymore. A person who became an Arahant in his lay life often joins the monkhood quickly. It is clear from this explanation that even a layperson can become an Arahant.
What kind of person is suitable to become a Bhikkhu or Bhikshuni ?
Anyone can become a Bhikkhu or Bhikshuni. However, it is not just enough being different from bodily but also need to become a monk from within. That person needs to fully commit bodily and as well as mentally to give up all his past life attachments. Anyone who is frank enough to give up worldly attachments can become a monk.
What is the advantage of becoming a Bhikkhu and Bhikshuni (lady disciples)? Also, what are they doing?
Since lay people follow the path to Nibbana with their worldly attachments, their journey is slow like a walk of a peacock. In fact, a monk’s progression is fast like a movement of a swan because his journey is free from any attachments. Thus, a person who would like to attain Nibbana promptly will give up all his attachments and becomes a monk. If the person who joined the monkhood is a male, then he will be called a Bhikkhu while a female be called a Bhikshuni. These Bhikkhu and Bhiksuni start to protect a higher set of percepts than the [...]