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What school of buddhism are you ?
Just wondering to myself - If I had to choose a school of buddhism, which one I would pick.
Anyone mind saying a few lines about why they chose the school they did?
Anyone mind saying a few lines about why they chose the school they did?
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Then I came to my sangha, which is Karma Kagyu, beginners course with flavor of Mahamudra since the teacher is learned in Mahamudra. And took an online course. Initially I was in a rage about how the material was presented. I was very angry. But with an opening of my mind the teachings I received bore fruit in my own experience. How do you know something bears fruit? I guess by feel though not thinking monkey mind rather by what you see. What is always with you and reliable.
if you're really ambitious, you can see all the correlations. Lol
I was previously a Tibetan Buddhist practitioner for a long time, but eventually felt the need to investigate the Pali canon and Theravada.
I primarily focus my sutra studies on mahayana literature and zen meditation techiniques. I remain skeptical while at the same time openminded about all traditions. I wouldn't want to pass up an opportunity to become part of a virtuos school by attaching myself to preconceived notions especially this early in my practice.
works for me.
Nowadays I do sit zazen, but I couldn't tell you what school I belong to.
What I practice right now encompasses all schools, but really draws the essence of the teachings without taking my eye off the ball of non-suffering (so Four Noble Truths, Noble Eightfold Path, Impermanence, Not-Self, Karma, Dependent Origination, Samatha-Vipassana Meditation, basic stuff...).
If I had to choose (say... becoming a monk), it would be based on functionality and efficiency, with the Theravada Thai Forest Tradition and Mahayana Soto/Rinzai Zen schools as my top picks.
From Theravada I study the Pali Tripitaka, and use some concepts.
From Vahrayana it is mostly concepts, like bardo and tummo (but prefer the better known kundalini concepts).
I'm becoming very interested in Tibetan Buddhism now too.
I think Buddhism, even religion in general can be a Pick 'n' Mix of sorts. Take what appeals to you.
Just what I think.
Jason
haha
:bowdown:
At the moment I'm really on my own, meditating and learning as much as possible, living as much as possible by the 8FP. I am interested in learning more about the Thai Forest Tradition, not sure where there are sanghas in the UK.
It was just a thought.
Jason
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ajahn_Chah
Ajahn Amaro, abbot of Amaravati Monastery, Amaravati Buddhist Monastery Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire England
Ajahn Munindo, abbot of Aruna Ratanagiri Buddhist Monastery Northumberland, England
Ajahn Khemadhammo, abbot of The Forest Hermitage Warwickshire, England
http://www.cittaviveka.org/index2.htm
..and I can definately recommend Amaravati.
(Note: Not all of the talks on that YouTube channel are by Ajahn Brahm. In the first few seconds of the video it should say who is giving the talk...it can be confusing at first because all the monks are called "Ajahn this" or "Ajahn that" and they all look the same! To make things more confusing, one monk is called "Ajahn Brahm" and another monk at the same monastery is called "Ajahn Brahmali".)
Metta,
Guy
The formatting on this PC's programming has mussed up the link's spelling, but AFAIK it still works.
.
I had to do this on Firefox.
genuinely, I'm surprised...
:eek2:
However, according to this link, I may have to choose another school
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sautrāntika
:wtf:
:facepalm:
:coffee:
You're so funny DD - that gave me my first good laugh of the day !
:thumbsup:
Was the cult warning in reference to Ajahn Brahm...er... to teachers who are funny and straightforward? Or was it an inside joke?
'Cuz by funny teacher, I didn't mean charming snake-oil salesman, I meant self-deprecation, someone who could say something incredibly serious and then cement his point with a fart. Not quite the same as a charmer.
I kind of liked Brad Warner's style of communication and I read his books, but some things about him also turned me off from reading anymore of his posts. Namely, the suicide girls thing. Now I think he has some great things to say, and I loved his quirky style of explaining Zen. He also provides some excellent links. But my heart will always lean towards feminism. His attraction and rambling about the phenomena of suicide girls icks me out a bit. All I can think is "Hey stop looking at those girls like pieces of meat, and girls... you go put some more clothes on". I don't necessarily think a teacher needs to be celibate or chaste. They can be married or dating... but it icks me out to imagine a teacher who's a horn-dog.
I almost fell in love with Theravada Buddhism after I interviewed some Thai monks for my nursing project. However, I've noticed that Theravada people are just so nice. Like... really sweet and solemn. Like holding a yellow fluffy chick who just stares at me with serious eyes. This fluffy chick says "hold me I trust you", and I do.. thinking "Oh god you're so innocent and cute I just wanna hug you..." but then because I'm Jo Jo the indian circus boy with a pretty new pet, I hug it too close and kill it. What I'm trying to say is.. I don't jive well with serious types because I'm clumsy.
If I were to become a monk it would probably be Therevada forest tradition, because I love forests, but I have a genuine respect for all schools.
/Victor