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Schools/Traditions of Buddhism
Hey Again!
I know that there are several schools/traditions of Buddhism and I'd like to know how you chose your school/tradition and what you like about it!
Thanks!
I know that there are several schools/traditions of Buddhism and I'd like to know how you chose your school/tradition and what you like about it!
Thanks!
0
Comments
My school is the Theravada school. However, even within the Theravada school, there are many traditions with divergent views.
I focus on the scriptures or suttas (the reported words of the Buddha) rather than the views that dominate Theravada Buddhism, which are those from the Theravada Commentaries. For me, in many important ways, the Theravada Commentaries teach the very opposite of what the Buddha taught.
A contempory foundation for my understanding is from the Thai Forest Tradition, namely, the teachings of modern monks such as Ajahn Buddhadasa & Ajahn Chah. I first learned Buddhism from Ajahn Buddhadasa, when he was alive.
If you are considering ordaining as a Westerner, the Forest Tradition of Ajahn Chah and his disciples Ajahn Sumedho in England and Ajahn Amaro in the USA is one of your major options. The large majority of Western Theravada monks have ordained in the Ajahn Chah tradition. (see http://www.forestsangha.org/).
As I said, my roots are in the teachings of Ajahn Buddhadasa (although now I mostly use the Theravada scriptures as my basis of understanding). Buddhadasa's perspective was attractive to me because it only focuses on here & now realities which bring freedom from suffering. There is no interest in notions such as 'rebirth'.
Regarding the teachings of the Buddha in the suttas they are very comprehensive, in that they address every aspect of human life, from the basics of work, education, managing money; to every aspect of human relationships such as marriage, parenting, government, business; to personal development such as ethical & skilful behaviour; to the more spiritual aspects such as meditation and freedom from suffering.
If we wish to view reality like a Buddha, in my opinion, is it is best to study his reported words & teachings.
My best wishes for your spiritual search & inquiry
DDhatu
I practice in the Zen tradition. I am not so certain or sure that I picked Zen Buddhism. I like Zen because -- well as I said I don't think there was a choice. There is undoubtedly an affinity though so for me this is just the way it is.
At first, when canvassing the scene it can seem quite confusing. Mahayana, Theravada, many many schools even within that. And even many different interpretations, it may seem.
But the Buddha taught the Four Noble Truths, and to stick with the basics is often good enough. As Buddhist philosophy can be quite far ranging, sometimes we forget the basics.
If you are looking for resources, you might try BuddhaNet
Best wishes on your search, and your journey.
I'm sort of like Abu. I'm not sure if I picked the school or it picked me. More the latter I think. When I was stationed in Japan in the Air Force, I used to visit museums and temples a lot and was really fascinated to see living Buddhism as opposed to the rather dry Buddhism you got from books in those days (yes, we really had books back then). One day I was walking through the Japanese Imperial Museum in Tokyo, which is crammed to the rafters with all sorts of incredibly beautiful Buddhist art, when I happened by a small display on Japanese esoteric Buddhism, Shingon, which is very similar to Tibetan Vajrayana Buddhism. In the case was a vajra, the diamond scepter that gives Vajrayana its name. For some reason, I was completely taken by this little vajra. I couldn't look at it enough, and I felt like I had to know what it was and what it meant. When I got back to the US, I still felt very drawn to that little vajra. It was actually very strange how, out of all that beautiful art in the museum I was attracted by that simple little bronze vajra.
For a while though I practiced Zen Buddhism with a Japanese teacher in Chicago. He belonged to a different sort of Buddhism (Jodo Shinshu), but for us gaijin (foreign devils) he ran a little Zen group. I enjoyed it and really like meditating. Then Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, a famous Tibetan lama, came to town. I went and heard his amazing talk, and after that I was completely hooked. I've stayed hooked for some 35 years.
What do I like about Tibetan Buddhism? It's the psychology of it, I think. It really makes you examine how your mind ticks and supplies the technology to purify the delusions one holds so tightly that keep one from freeing one's mind. So I don't know if it was karma or what, but that's how I wound up where I am.
Palzang
Palzang
I studied and practiced a bit mostly with Hinduism and then found Soto Zen. Soon I came upon Thich Nhat Hanh's book "Peace is Every Step" and became very influenced by TNH.
In an issue of the mindfulness bell TNH encouraged people to find a Sangha...even if it wasn't a "perfect" sangha.
There happens to be a Jodo Shinshu Temple in my community. I was hesitant because I really wasn't attracted to Pure Land, but I went anyway.
At my first visit I was given a Nenju and a book by a Canadian JS Minister with a sort of Joseph Campbell influenced translation of the Tannisho. This translation deeply affected me, showing me that Amida Buddha is "Perfectly Awakened Infinite Light and Life", and the Pure Land is (in this ministers words), 'A psychic state of true and real happiness".
So Namu Amida Butsu is basically "I am embraced by Perfectly Awakened Infinite Light and Life" and the result is I will be "born" into a state of true and real happiness.
To me reciting the nembutsu is not so different from Shikantaza.
I felt that shikantaza involves a kind of surrendering to a greater....no-thing. To me Shikantaza was very much an "other power" activity.
Amida is a symbol for that no-thing which makes practice easier, but still centered on other power. The Nembutsu is very "portable" as well and I am inspired to recite many times a day. For those unfamiliar it should be mentioned that reciting the Nembutsu is not done with any attempt to gain anything with this practice. We are not saying the Nembutsu to Amida...Amida is saying it to us. It is Amida's voice, not mine. It is Amida who inspires me to recite, not some ego contrived act on my part.
I've been practicing JS for around 15 years now.
I also found the Temple congregation (almost all of them 65 - 90 years old and Japanese Canadian) to be the kindest and most genuine people I have ever encountered.
I would say my biggest influences today are Shinran, my local Sensei, and TNH.
However, I take from other schools as well. From the Therevada tradition, I draw insight from the Tipitaka. From Mahayana I look to the Sutras and particularly the Heart Sutra. The mantras are also great. However, I don't like the mythological/supernatural aspects of Mahayana, though I'm sure that myths are actually understood as myths and not reality. If that's the case, the writings are beautiful and intriguing. From the Tibetan tradition, well, I learn a lot from the teachings of Dalai Lama. I like the cultural aspect of it as well, and they also have cool robes.
All in all, I guess I'd say I'm primarily Zen, but take from other traditions as well.
Though, in the near future, I may join or at least visit a Nichiren Buddhist Sangha because I heard great things about the one where I live. (Nichiren draws primarily from the Lotus Sutra.)
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