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which branch of buddhism do you follow and why?

Peace2012caPeace2012ca
edited January 2012 in Buddhism Basics
Hi everyone,

I think Theravada is right for me but I don't know too many about the different branches.

Could you explain which branch/branches do you follow and why? Do you mix the two?

Comments

  • DaltheJigsawDaltheJigsaw Mountain View Veteran
    Zen and Taoism. I like Zen for it's simplicity and the emphasis on sitting up and shutting up:)
  • Telly03Telly03 Veteran
    Zen, because it was the first Sangha I visited and I don't know any better
  • DaltheJigsawDaltheJigsaw Mountain View Veteran
    edited January 2012
    Zen, because it was the first Sangha I visited and I don't know any better
    Have you ever practiced Vipassana Meditation?
  • Telly03Telly03 Veteran
    Zen, because it was the first Sangha I visited and I don't know any better
    Have you ever practiced Vipassana Meditation?
    No... I'll have to read up on it because I'm not familiar with it
  • JeffreyJeffrey Veteran
    I think Vipassana is similar to Zazen.. Very similar at least. I would be all ears to hear the differences??
  • DharmaFieldDharmaField
    I am postbuddhist.
  • lamaramadingdonglamaramadingdong Veteran
    Zen, it fits me.
  • ZeroZero Veteran
    Dzogchen - if you can call that a branch.

    I dont follow it, I didnt choose it, its the natural state...
  • GuiGui Veteran
    I am postbuddhist.
    I like your answer. I think there are 4 stages of practice. Learning practice. Practice practice, Living practice. Living - or you could replace "Living" with "Practice" if so inclined, I suppose.

    Is that what you mean by postbuddhist? Or would you explain further if possible?
    Thanks.
  • ZeroZero Veteran
    I am postbuddhist.
    I like your answer. I think there are 4 stages of practice. Learning practice. Practice practice, Living practice. Living - or you could replace "Living" with "Practice" if so inclined, I suppose.

    Is that what you mean by postbuddhist? Or would you explain further if possible?
    Thanks.
    At which point in the 4 stages (or outside) does enlightenment kick in?

  • GuiGui Veteran
    I am postbuddhist.
    I like your answer. I think there are 4 stages of practice. Learning practice. Practice practice, Living practice. Living - or you could replace "Living" with "Practice" if so inclined, I suppose.

    Is that what you mean by postbuddhist? Or would you explain further if possible?
    Thanks.
    At which point in the 4 stages (or outside) does enlightenment kick in?

    Hell if I know. But enlightenmet is not a goal of mine. It didn't occur to me. Living completely and honestly is what occurs to me. Personally I think we are all enlightened already but don't experience this phenomena because of our delusions. And Buddhism is a method, a way of life, to let those delusions fall away. But, like I said before, hell if I know.
  • ZeroZero Veteran

    Hell if I know. But enlightenmet is not a goal of mine. It didn't occur to me. Living completely and honestly is what occurs to me. Personally I think we are all enlightened already but don't experience this phenomena because of our delusions. And Buddhism is a method, a way of life, to let those delusions fall away. But, like I said before, hell if I know.
    I likes this so much I clicked the like button and just had to say - loving your work!
  • sukhitasukhita
    @Peace2012ca My practice is based on Theravada because I think it is probably the closest to what the historical Buddha actually taught. But that said, the core teaching of all schools (and sub-sets of these schools) is dukkha (its arising-its cessation-the way to its cessation), so I think they are just different approaches to a common goal.
  • ajnast4rajnast4r Veteran
    Theravada, Thai Forest persuasion. I prefer Theravada because historically it's the closest to what the Buddha actually taught.
  • LittleMightyLittleMighty
    I don't follow any particular branch. Maybe because I don't know a whole lot about them. I know I'm not big on "Big" I don't like all the Pomp and Circumstance, and fan fair. I like the basic simplicity of "Buddhism". But I'm learning, so maybe along the way I'll find a path that intrigues me.
  • ArjquadArjquad Veteran
    I don't follow any particular branch. Maybe because I don't know a whole lot about them. I know I'm not big on "Big" I don't like all the Pomp and Circumstance, and fan fair. I like the basic simplicity of "Buddhism". But I'm learning, so maybe along the way I'll find a path that intrigues me.
    Same, I just try to learn everyday and don't pay specific attention to any practice.
  • IktomiIktomi
    I favor the so called direct path of Zen. Why? I thought it was the least encumbered with religious embellishments. I thought wrong of course.
  • LittleMightyLittleMighty
    I favor the so called direct path of Zen. Why? I thought it was the least encumbered with religious embellishments. I thought wrong of course.
    I like your term "Religious embellishments" I think that's what I'm really trying to AVOID. :)
  • BonsaiDougBonsaiDoug Simply, on the path. Veteran
    Refuge vows from a Theravadan Monk, but over the past year or so I find myself being pulled towards the Tibetan tradition.
  • lobsterlobster Crusty Veteran
    YinYana Buddhism follows me :)
    It is not very popular at the moment but is considered the vehicle
    for the enlightened AI of the future . . .
  • JeffreyJeffrey Veteran
    Mahayana buddhism in the Tibetan tradition because the course material and my teachers dharma talks/interviews are very inspiring/encouraging, true/helpful, and offer perspective.

    Buddha may not have taught this but he should have. And incidentally the lineage in Tibetan buddhism also goes back to buddha, just the tradition was recorded in writing at a later date. Just an example that may not be true, but perhaps some yogis with some of their own wisdom were in buddha's sangha and received transmission but have some differences with the rest of the group leading to a schism. We don't know what happened. But it happened in Christianity and it's likely to have happened in buddhism. Tibetan buddhism views the whole affair through a lens of three vehicles and it teaches all three of them. Which is not to say Theravada is hinayana as what's the use of applying TB system to those outsiders.
  • LesCLesC Bermuda Veteran
    edited January 2012

    All... or None... take your pick. :om:


  • StaticToyboxStaticToybox Veteran
    I don't adhere to any particular branch, but zen matches my own views and feelings the closest.
  • GuiGui Veteran
    To me, they're all the same. More like seasonings on sauteed spinich. Some days I use curry and other days oregano or garlic or combinations with olives. Some talk elsewhere about pizza is priming my desire for eating pleasures. I like the zen seasoning regarding emptiness. I like Mahayanna regarding compassion. I like Vipassana meditation from Therevadan. I like my own version best of all because it comes to me so naturally. My Buddha statue is made out of rocks and glue.
  • StaticToyboxStaticToybox Veteran
    To me, they're all the same. More like seasonings on sauteed spinich. Some days I use curry and other days oregano or garlic or combinations with olives. Some talk elsewhere about pizza is priming my desire for eating pleasures. I like the zen seasoning regarding emptiness. I like Mahayanna regarding compassion. I like Vipassana meditation from Therevadan. I like my own version best of all because it comes to me so naturally. My Buddha statue is made out of rocks and glue.
    As I've told people that regardless of the particular school of Buddhism it's all essentially the same. All paths are the same at the heart of them. Everything else is just window dressing and wallpaper.

    So I guess I should amend my previous post to say that zen most closely matches my taste in decoration. Simply and no frills (I lived for years in an apartment with bare white walls and never bothered to hang anything).

  • BonsaiDougBonsaiDoug Simply, on the path. Veteran
    edited January 2012
    In essence and foundation, yes, all the same really. We just gravitate towards one over another.

    Mahayana. Hinayana. Vajrayana. Mantrayana. Guhyayana. Triguhyayana. "Yana" simply means "vehicle." The teachings of Buddha are like a vehicle in which we journey to enlightenment. Once the journey is over, we leave the vehicle behind. It doesn't matter what color or shape the vehicle is, as long as it carries us to journey's end.
  • DakiniDakini Veteran
    I don't follow any particular branch. Maybe because I don't know a whole lot about them. I know I'm not big on "Big" I don't like all the Pomp and Circumstance, and fan fair. I like the basic simplicity of "Buddhism". But I'm learning, so maybe along the way I'll find a path that intrigues me.
    Yes. I'm not sure it's necessary to pick a branch.

  • SpacelessSpaceless
    There seem to be branches in buddhism in the eyes of suffering beings and when you enter the hall, you will know that these branches are same doors leading to the hall of bliss :D be love be bless and be liberty of love ;@)
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