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Like hitting a brick wall

ChillinChillin
edited November 2009 in Buddhism Basics
Hi, Like so many people I have met over the years I have been drawn to Buddhism because of the teachings of Shakyamuni. The exceedingly 'human' teachings. What for most of my life I have found to be distasteful superstition, in most of the mainstream religions is the creation of deities. My problem is that the more I try to commit to the three jewels, the more i find it is likened to hitting a brick wall. Pure Land for example, seemed on the face of it a good introduction for the un initiated, simple mantra etc. But the very thought of entering a land after this one, filled with jewel laden trees and soforth filled me with horror. So materialist was I not expecting. Tibetan buddhism is now all around, but the more I read, the more I find the neverending list of what I regard as superstitions and unbelievably nutty deitic creations, well, depressing.

What drew me to Buddhism was its human face, the fact that the basic teachings were something we could all, even in this day and age relate to. And yet, it seems impossible to find a sangha which is based purely on this and not on some distortion which has been created over the centuries to accomodate the politics of that age. I hope I don't sound too frustrated, I assure you my intentions are not so. Peace to you all.

Comments

  • ValtielValtiel Veteran
    edited November 2009
    Have you looked into Theravada or Zen? Very different but both seem closer to what you're looking for.
  • federicafederica Seeker of the clear blue sky... Its better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to speak out and remove all doubt Moderator
    edited November 2009
    Theravada is crisp, no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is, 'what you see is what you get' Buddhism.
    That's not to say it's all done and dusted, and laid out simply for you.
    but it has no extraneous matters to consider.
    Just Buddhism.

    At least, that's what I have found.
    I'm sure that if I got into deep, D-e-e-p discussions regarding Theravada Suttas, I'd end up in a tangled mess....
    But I'm a simple soul. I like to keep things stupid-simple, because after all, just as all roads lead to Rome, all suttas/sutras lead to the Four Noble Truths, The Eightfold Path, and the Five precepts.
    These 17 are common to every Tradition and School of Buddhism.
    They are the Buddha's very first teaching, and fundamentally, everything he taught that followed, was, in essence, the first teaching, all over again.....
    And as a Theravada Bikkhuni said to me, these 17 can be narrowed down even more, to one basic premise: "Simplify".

    Keep your life simple, and simply walk.

    Works for me......
  • ChillinChillin
    edited November 2009
    Thankyou Mundos, Actually since I first started to read seriously about Buddhism I always have had a leaning towards Theravada but not found it practical as yet to explore further. It's very strange though that I am now reading The Great Treatise, Lam Rim which I know is being a great influence with the New Kadampa, and that I know is a branch of Mahayana, so, sooner or later I would be bumping into the thousand armed again. It's a little like taking a nice stroll on a new path, taking in the scenery and wondering where would be a pleasant place to stop for a while.

    Thanks again for your help.
  • ChillinChillin
    edited November 2009
    Federica, Thankyou for your kind and yes very simple advice.

    It pleases me quite a lot to hear from people who actually do understand the predicament that I and I'm sure many people find themselves in when we begin to discover Buddhism. Exactly what you say, The Four Noble Truths and The Eightfold Path are exactly what is drawing me to the way of Buddha. It is when I start to hear about the other aspects, all the sometimes evil sounding and looking deities that I begin to think 'Oh no here we go again with the fear factor'

    I will continue to read as I do just about anything I can lay my hands on, but I'm sure I will now begin to look closer at Theravada, thankyou so much.
  • fivebellsfivebells Veteran
    edited November 2009
    Chillin, I have similar biases. It's one of the main reasons I like this group, its teacher, and his teachings.
  • ChillinChillin
    edited November 2009
    Fivebells - Wolfie in sheepies clothing, Thanks for your reply also. It is strangely re assuring to discover that ones concerns are not as unique as we fear. And very reassuring to receive positive encouragement and responses. I have just been looking at a Theravadan site based in Chiswick which looks interesting, I may well contact them and see where it leads. O.kayyyy, I have you now, I just went to the3e sites, very interesting, I promise I will look further into them tomorrow, for now, must sleep, thanx again.

    Thanks again and I really do love your pic.
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