How to recognize a good buddhist center?

StoicBuddhistAlex

Im planing to go to a buddhist group center but how you know if its proper to the teachings or just money scam.

Any difference bewteen mahayana, theravada tibetan etc?


Here i live the link for those who wana chek it

http://www.budismoelsalvador.org/#

vinlyn

Where are you?

Generally speaking, at least in Theravada Buddhism, you're unlikely to be required to pay anything for any reason. Here is the States when I have gone to different Theravada temples I go around 10:30 with food for the monks. The monks eat first, then the lay people are usually invited to eat afterwards.

compassionate_warrior

V--check his link. He's in El Salvador.

Simply observe over time. There have been incidents where Tibetans "lamas" aggressively solicit funds, or covertly take advantage of female students. Legit teachers only have a donation basket near the door and don't demand donations. Do the students seem infatuated with the teacher? I don't feel comfortable in sanghas that have a "groupie" atmosphere. I think this is the type of environment that can be vulnerable to abuses. The website looked ok. Check the place out a few times, and let us know if it's a good fit for you.

StoicBuddhistAlex

Where are you?

Generally speaking, at least in Theravada Buddhism, you're unlikely to be required to pay anything for any reason. Here is the States when I have gone to different Theravada temples I go around 10:30 with food for the monks. The monks eat first, then the lay people are usually invited to eat afterwards.

Thanks, i really dont have much money so i cant pay.

StoicBuddhistAlex

V--check his link. He's in El Salvador.

Simply observe over time. There have been incidents where Tibetans "lamas" aggressively solicit funds, or covertly take advantage of female students. Legit teachers only have a donation basket near the door and don't demand donations. Do the students seem infatuated with the teacher? I don't feel comfortable in sanghas that have a "groupie" atmosphere. I think this is the type of environment that can be vulnerable to abuses. The website looked ok. Check the place out a few times, and let us know if it's a good fit for you.

Thank you very much for the info. Ill give you a call and try to go. Ill be reporting

:cool:

StoicBuddhistAlex

V--check his link. He's in El Salvador.

Simply observe over time. There have been incidents where Tibetans "lamas" aggressively solicit funds, or covertly take advantage of female students. Legit teachers only have a donation basket near the door and don't demand donations. Do the students seem infatuated with the teacher? I don't feel comfortable in sanghas that have a "groupie" atmosphere. I think this is the type of environment that can be vulnerable to abuses. The website looked ok. Check the place out a few times, and let us know if it's a good fit for you.

Thank you very much for the info. Ill give you a call and try to go. Ill be reporting

:cool:

Err "ill give a call". Sorry my bad english

Dakini

I looked at your link, Alex, and it looks like a bona-fide center. The question is, as C_W said, does the teacher exhibit honesty and integrity? Does he practice what he preaches? Is he too friendly with the women in the group? Not a good sign. If there is aggressive solicitation of money, you can just quit. Also, you can research the teacher on the internet. You'll find promotional info that sounds like a sales pitch, but you may also be able to find honest evaluations from students or former students. In any case, at the very least, you'll be able to get good teachings.

Please stay in touch, and let us know what you think, after you've tried the place for awhile.

genkaku

Alex -- You might want to keep in mind that Buddhism is for you -- for your own true life -- not the other way around. This means that you may go to a center that wins worldwide praises and still it is not for you... and that's OK.

Whatever you try, give it an honest try -- go a few times and see how the place strikes you. If you don't care for it, there is nothing saying you can't try another center. If, after an honest try, the place strikes you as 80-90% OK, then you may want to make a longer commitment. If something strikes you as 100% OK, you will probably want to rethink your effort: If something is 100% in agreement with you, how would it be possible to learn anything?

Just take your time. Nothing needs to be decided immediately. Just be patient ... and see what actually happens.

Best wishes.

Floating_Abu

With well wishes @StoicBuddhistAlex

StoicBuddhistAlex

I looked at your link, Alex, and it looks like a bona-fide center. The question is, as C_W said, does the teacher exhibit honesty and integrity? Does he practice what he preaches? Is he too friendly with the women in the group? Not a good sign. If there is aggressive solicitation of money, you can just quit. Also, you can research the teacher on the internet. You'll find promotional info that sounds like a sales pitch, but you may also be able to find honest evaluations from students or former students. In any case, at the very least, you'll be able to get good teachings.

Please stay in touch, and let us know what you think, after you've tried the place for awhile.

Thanks for your answer and cheking the link. Ill take your advices deeply many thanks.

StoicBuddhistAlex

Alex -- You might want to keep in mind that Buddhism is for you -- for your own true life -- not the other way around. This means that you may go to a center that wins worldwide praises and still it is not for you... and that's OK.

Whatever you try, give it an honest try -- go a few times and see how the place strikes you. If you don't care for it, there is nothing saying you can't try another center. If, after an honest try, the place strikes you as 80-90% OK, then you may want to make a longer commitment. If something strikes you as 100% OK, you will probably want to rethink your effort: If something is 100% in agreement with you, how would it be possible to learn anything?

Just take your time. Nothing needs to be decided immediately. Just be patient ... and see what actually happens.

Best wishes.

Best wishes to you to. Ill give a try and fallow your advices, many thanks.

StoicBuddhistAlex

With well wishes @StoicBuddhistAlex

Good wishes to you to

Fenrir

Be wary. The group is Diamond Way, run by the controversial teacher Ole Nydhal. Do an internet search and see what comes up. I wish you all the best in your search.

Fenrir

Dakini

Be wary. The group is Diamond Way, run by the controversial teacher Ole Nydhal. Do an internet search and see what comes up. I wish you all the best in your search.Fenrir

Good eye, Fenrir--I missed that. I second your recommendations.

Alex, you can find comments of a member of the Kagyu leadership in India with regard to Ole Nydahl at www.shamarpa.org under the "letters" section. His original comments were much more frank until Nydahl threated Shamar with a libel lawsuit.

StoicBuddhistAlex

Be wary. The group is Diamond Way, run by the controversial teacher Ole Nydhal. Do an internet search and see what comes up. I wish you all the best in your search.

Fenrir

Thanks friend .

StoicBuddhistAlex

Be wary. The group is Diamond Way, run by the controversial teacher Ole Nydhal. Do an internet search and see what comes up. I wish you all the best in your search.Fenrir

Good eye, Fenrir--I missed that. I second your recommendations.

Alex, you can find comments of a member of the Kagyu leadership in India with regard to Ole Nydahl at www.shamarpa.org under the "letters" section. His original comments were much more frank until Nydahl threated Shamar with a libel lawsuit.

To bad living in a chatolic country with kinda intolerants parents.
Iill try to get transport or go on the public bus at 7pm at risk of being choped

StoicBuddhistAlex

Well they told me they are giving a course for thuesdays and costs 10$ in the Diamond Way by Ole Nydhal.

The temple is in a very expensive are of the capital... wich aint good at all for a no rich dude like me xD

Mountains

How to recognize a good buddhist center?

It's like a good melon - you just know

StoicBuddhistAlex

How to recognize a good buddhist center?

It's like a good melon - you just know

Diamond Way, Ole Nydahl, Karmapa controversy, tibetan buddhism etc.?

Mountains

Honestly? Go to all of them (you're lucky to have a choice) and see which one you like best. My only choice is an NKT center, and it doesn't fit me at all. Go forth and sample. The worst possible outcome is you don't like it and you don't go back...

SpinyNorman2

The worst possible outcome is you don't like it and you don't go back...

Absolutely. It's interesting and productive to explore different Buddhist groups and centres, no need to make big commitments at an early stage.

Spiny

NOTaGangsta

Not sure where your from. but all Fo Guang Shan centers does not have any of the problems of:

sexual harrasment
demanding donations

they are more interested in getting more people into the Dharma gate.