In Regards to Traditions

peytontw3

If I understand correctly, it's helpful for Buddhist practitioners to eventually affiliate themselves with a tradition, like Mahayana or Thereveda. Beyond that, though, is it advised for Buddhists to settle into sub-schools, e.g. Zen, Nichiren, etc., or is it "alright" to avoid affiliating oneself further than Mahayana/Thereveda/Vajrayana?

karasti

You can pretty much do whatever you want. Some people never seek out a teacher or a sangha. I personally have found it helpful and invaluable to have a dedicated path with a teacher to help out, and a sangha as well. But others do just fine without it. It really just comes down to whatever works best for you.
If you happen to decide to take a teacher, he or she will likely be part of a specific lineage line, as that is how it has traditionally worked.
I also know others who have multiple teachers from different lineages. It's what works for them.

how

Are the three refuges part of your practice?

Is your decision to avoid affiliation preventing you from taking refuge in the Sangha?

federica

Zen and Nichiren are sub-schools within the Mahayana Tradition.

I am predominantly Theravadan but also incorporate practices which are viewed as Mahayanan.
Basically, there is no cut and dried, fixed.
requirement for anyone to strictly adhere to one single practice if they so choose.

Of course, your personal calling and path are your choice ; but there are countless ways to roast chicken. It's still always chicken.

Shoshin

Kia Ora,

The old saying of "Different strokes for different folks" applies...

If yo are finding improvements in your life by practicing the techniques you have picked up from the various forms of Buddhism you have looked into (All paths are meant to eventually lead to Rome)...You must be doing something right...

Metta Shoshin

person

I think its fine to look around to different schools. They generally have different angles of approach and understanding to various views can help one on their path.

If you seek out a teacher or a sangha they will mostly be from a specific lineage. And if you want to delve deeply into the practice, like long retreats and such, then the guidance of a teacher and thus a specific lineage is recommended.

Shoshin

Kia Ora,

This saying may also apply _ "When the student is 'ready' the teacher will appear !"_

Metta Shoshin

Toraldris

@peytontw3‌ You don't technically need to choose a tradition, but it's a risk to assume you can figure things out on your own. Some people can take things apart and figure out how they work without any formal training, and some Buddhists are just like that with "Buddhadharma". If you try to create a practice following the Noble Eightfold Path, including meditation (and hopefully upholding the Five Precepts), and don't see any results from that after a time... you would want to reconsider and perhaps seek a teacher. It's your choice.

vinlyn

I agree with Karasti, overall. But the differences among the major schools are huge. I'm Theravadan, and I feel totally out of place when I read something from Zen. So, I think it makes more sense to attach yourself to one tradition.

lobster

In your heart, you already have a path to affiliate with. Do so.

Ask again sometime . . . I am affiliated with a heretical dharma school that threw me out soon after I tried to introduce Easter eggs.

My cushion is a fanatical Buddhist. Bad cushion!

footiam

@peytontw3 said:
If I understand correctly, it's helpful for Buddhist practitioners to eventually affiliate themselves with a tradition, like Mahayana or Thereveda. Beyond that, though, is it advised for Buddhists to settle into sub-schools, e.g. Zen, Nichiren, etc., or is it "alright" to avoid affiliating oneself further than Mahayana/Thereveda/Vajrayana?

It probably would depend on you. Are you game for it?

DairyLama

@peytontw3 said:
If I understand correctly, it's helpful for Buddhist practitioners to eventually affiliate themselves with a tradition, like Mahayana or Thereveda. Beyond that, though, is it advised for Buddhists to settle into sub-schools, e.g. Zen, Nichiren, etc., or is it "alright" to avoid affiliating oneself further than Mahayana/Thereveda/Vajrayana?

Generally it's best to practice in one tradition at any one time, because mixing them up can get quite confusing due to differences in assumptions and methodology.

federica

I haven't found that: that is to say, I have predominantly followed Theravada for its no-nonsense and meticulous approach and its thorough scrutiny and examination of the Suttas. But it is dry, occasionally humourless and straight-laced, which can make it hard to digest.

Mahayana is too varied and convoluted in its approach to flowery elaborations on Gods, different Buddhas and diverse prejudices and restrictions.

Both traditions however, hold much I can equate with, in comfort, confidence and harmony.

But I will agree that it pays to study any tradition deeply and individually before opting for a preference.

Mixing and matching is different to cherry-picking.

Citta

@peytontw3 said:
If I understand correctly, it's helpful for Buddhist practitioners to eventually affiliate themselves with a tradition, like Mahayana or Thereveda. Beyond that, though, is it advised for Buddhists to settle into sub-schools, e.g. Zen, Nichiren, etc., or is it "alright" to avoid affiliating oneself further than Mahayana/Thereveda/Vajrayana?

It would be very difficult to align oneself with the Vajrayana in general terms without aligning oneself with a particular school.

Even the most liberal interpretation of Vajrayana sees taking Refuge with a particular Lama or Lamas as essential.

So you may be influenced or inspired by the Vajrayana, but you will not be a Vajrayana student until you take the four Refuges.

Buddha Dharma Sangha and Lama.

Kundo

@lobster said:
My cushion is a fanatical Buddhist. Bad cushion!

There goes @lobster‌ tempting me with beautiful cushions to distract me. Bad crustacean, very bad crustacean. XD

Buddhadragon

@AldrisTorvalds said:
peytontw3‌ You don't technically need to choose a tradition, but it's a risk to assume you can figure things out on your own. Some people can take things apart and figure out how they work without any formal training, and some Buddhists are just like that with "Buddhadharma". If you try to create a practice following the Noble Eightfold Path, including meditation (and hopefully upholding the Five Precepts), and don't see any results from that after a time... you would want to reconsider and perhaps seek a teacher. It's your choice.

You don't need to actually choose a tradition. My teacher is Tibetan Gelugpa and I have always practiced within the Tibetan tradition, but I read a lot of Theravadan and Zen bibliography, apart from my native Vajrayana practice.
Yet, as Aldris above has said, it's important to find a centre to practice, just to make sure you don't develop any false ideas of what Buddhadharma is all about. Never mind if you have to switch centres until you find the one that feels right for you, but some sort of guidance is mandatory, in my opinion.
You can google very good material on the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path, which are the quintessential Buddhist teaching. It's a work of a lifetime, but you can't go wrong if you build from there.
And it bears repetition that Buddhism is practice, not just intellectual decoration. Do plenty of meditation and bring all those insights you gain on the cushion into your daily life. Live a mindful life. Put all the learning into practice.

Edit: some traditions don't start out with the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path, but personally I come back to them again and again and never fail to find something new to learn.

federica

Well, as @peytontw3‌ is a new member and has posted once, too lengthy a thread may be overwhelming. I will let the OP read this far, then, as soon as you are ready, just send me a PM, @peytonw3, and I will happily re-open it for you to contribute.

Thanks to all who contributed.