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Re: Noble Eightfold Path versus 6 Paramitas
Tibetan Buddhism is a branch of Buddhism and there are also others(see this article). Studying the philosophical ideas and differences among various schools helps us gain a more comprehensive understanding of the true essence of Buddhist teachings. Of course, this is challenging and time-consuming, but we can make use of fragmented time to learn about these topics.
IAMFINE
Re: Thoughts about ‘The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying’
I’m now on chapter six, on reincarnation, karma and rebirth, and one sentence I came across which echoed in my understanding was ‘karma can be both a friend and a teacher.’ It is so that a lot of people see karma as something to be escaped, or a bringer of suffering from previous lives. But in reality karma teaches you goodness, and can also bring blessings from previous lives. Namaste and a good morning to you.
Jeroen
Re: Experience of mantra practice
Experience of mantra practice
Thus have I experienced:
In practical terms, mantras and chants are used to clear mental clutter and then focus the mind.
When I used to attend Dharma talks, our Geshe came to the island once a month to teach. We always began and ended with a chant or mantra. The visits stopped a few years ago.
I start each meditation with a greeting to the universal wisdom and compassion the mind opens to, and I end with gratitude for the experience.
Shoshin1
Re: Noble Eightfold Path versus 6 Paramitas
They are essentially two sides of the same coin. From what I’ve learned, the Noble Eightfold Path is the foundational methodology, while the Six Paramitas are the perfections a Bodhisattva develops to reach the "other shore." You’ll notice a lot of overlap—for instance, "Right Effort" in the Eightfold Path is basically the same as "Virya" (Diligence) in the Paramitas.
Here is an article: The Six Paramitas: Six Ferries Across the River of Life and Death, which explains the Six Paramitas as "six ferries" across a river. It really helped me visualize how these qualities work together as a complete system to deal with daily life and suffering. It might help clarify the relationship for you too
IAMFINE
Re: Thoughts about ‘The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying’
I was just reading chapter five, on ‘bringing the mind home’, which is about meditation and builds on previous sections on the nature of mind. I found it useful, to gain a clearer understanding of what to do with the mind while meditating on the breath.
Jeroen