The different disciplines of Buddhism

RubyFaye

I've been wandering around quite awhile, listening to dharma talks online. But I don't have the lingo down, and don't understand the different disciplines of Buddhism.

I understand there being different disciplines, just as there are in other religions, but one in particular I'm interested in is the Tibetan Tradition, because they just opened up a center nearby, close enough that I can get to.

I'm not familiar with Tibetan Buddhism at all. I've listened mostly to Zen and Vispanna (sp) teachers.

So far, I love what I'm hearing, even with the hard stuff.

I will at least go visit the center either today (if my clothes get dry) or Tuesday. They have two days of mediation and teaching.

We live in a very small town, so I was thrilled to see a Buddhist center open up here. I'm just a little leary of Tibetan Buddhism for some reason, but don't know why. Maybe it was something I heard or read online.

Anyway, I would definitely appreciate any feedback on this.

Thank you very much,
Ruby Faye

Dazzle

Hi Ruby Faye,

When you go to the centre, ask which school of Tibetan Buddhism its connected with.

There's some information on the different schools here:

http://www.kagyuoffice.org/buddhism.tibet.html


Kind wishes,

Dazzle

.

Valtiel

Hello,

But I don't have the lingo down, and don't understand the different disciplines of Buddhism.

If there's a term you're unsure of, just search Google for "Buddhist glossary" or for the word itself.

As for different disciplines, you can find an introduction here.

I understand there being different disciplines, just as there are in other religions, but one in particular I'm interested in is the Tibetan Tradition, because they just opened up a center nearby, close enough that I can get to.

I'm not familiar with Tibetan Buddhism at all. I've listened mostly to Zen and Vispanna (sp) teachers.

Vipassana is a meditation technique rather than a specific school of Buddhism. "Tibetan Buddhism" is actually a bit of a generic term - what is the name of the centre you're interested in? Although I would say that if you're attracted to zen, that you'll likely find anything within the range of Tibetan Buddhism far from what you're looking for. Zen is simplicity, whereas Tibetan Buddhism is very intricate and ritualistic.

Visiting and seeing for yourself would definitely be best.

RubyFaye

Well, my clothes DID get dry in time! I barely made it.

It seemed very relaxed, but had lots of decorations, etc. It actually looked quite beautiful.

Also, we got to interact with the teacher, ask questions, get answers, and they're planning a three week-end retreat. Although he hesitated to call it a 'retreat'. We'll be having one two hour session of meditation instructions, guided meditations, and Q&A. Then a two hour lunch, then a three-hour teaching session with breaks, and walking meditation if the weather permits.

The cost is $50 per week-end, and the money goes to buying blankets and feeding the hungry.

The name of the center is:

Khandro Choe-ling Tibetan Buddhist Meditation Center.

I felt a lot more comfortable after I went. But I have to buy a book and catch up with the others. It wasn't requested of me, but I just want to. They're going through a book but can't remember the title....something like 'Why Aren't You a Buddhist'.

Anyway, I plan on returning until/if I get too many bad vibes or something.

Thanks for all your wonderful comments and resources! I'll check them out!

Ruby Faye

Palzang

Khandro Choeling is a Sakya center. I'm not particularly familiar with the Sakya school, but all Tibetan Buddhist schools are pretty similar, except for minor doctrinal differences.

Palzang

RubyFaye

Dazzle wrote: »

Hi Ruby Faye,

When you go to the centre, ask which school of Tibetan Buddhism its connected with.

There's some information on the different schools here:

http://www.kagyuoffice.org/buddhism.tibet.html


Kind wishes,

Dazzle

.

Hi Dazzle!

Actually, I hadn't read this before I went. But I got the answer in another post.

There was quite a bit of interaction between the students and the teacher, so there would have been plenty of opportunity.

Thanks so much for the link! Not that I understood most of it ....yet.

Wow, it seems so overwhelming to think about learning all this stuff as old as I am.

But I'll just take my time and learn what I can, and not become obsessed with trying to do the 'perfect' thing.

But I'm really enthused about having a center so close to home, and finding out that it was very relaxed.

Thanks again for the link. I read it, and will probably have to read it at least once more. I really want to know these things.

Thanks,
Ruby Faye

RubyFaye

Palzang wrote: »

Khandro Choeling is a Sakya center. I'm not particularly familiar with the Sakya school, but all Tibetan Buddhist schools are pretty similar, except for minor doctrinal differences.

Palzang

Thank you Palzang! It helps a lot to know what I'm studying :smilec: about.

Gosh, I've found so much to read already, but a lot of it is Greek to me. I know that will change with the passage of time and just being immersed in Buddhism.

Thanks again!
Ruby Faye

shenpennangwa

RubyFaye wrote: »

Thank you Palzang! It helps a lot to know what I'm studying :smilec: about.

Gosh, I've found so much to read already, but a lot of it is Greek to me. I know that will change with the passage of time and just being immersed in Buddhism.

Thanks again!
Ruby Faye

Hi Ruby,
The Sakya lineage is excellent, they place a great deal of importance on the study of Indian texts and commentaries rather than later Tibetan commentaries. This center would be a great place for you to start investigating the Vajrayana tradition.

DhammaDhatu

Sakya school is cool. Although I am a Terrorvadist, one of my favourite teachers is Sakya school. Each time he visits, I am there to listen and say g'day.

Dazzle

Although I am a Terrorvadist

Dee Dee! :eek:



.

RubyFaye

shenpen nangwa wrote: »

Hi Ruby,
The Sakya lineage is excellent, they place a great deal of importance on the study of Indian texts and commentaries rather than later Tibetan commentaries. This center would be a great place for you to start investigating the Vajrayana tradition.

Okay, the Sakya lineage I understand. At least I think I do....doesn't it mean that the Sakya school of thought can be traced back to one person?

Also, within that lineage, there is a tradition called Vajrayana? What is a tradition in a Sakya school?

Could someone explain this to me?

Also, I was wondering if there isn't a sort of 'chart' (kind of like a family tree) available online that shows all the different lineages, traditions, etc.?

I'll go look for myself on Google, but if anyone has knowledge of something of this sort, I surely would appreciate it. Thanks!

Ruby Faye

RubyFaye

Dhamma Dhatu wrote: »

Sakya school is cool. Although I am a Terrorvadist, one of my favourite teachers is Sakya school. Each time he visits, I am there to listen and say g'day.

Hi Dee-Dee!

I loved my first day there. And the teacher said more than once that we were going to go slow. And explained why, but I couldn't hear him. Something along the lines of 'that which grows slowly endures'....like an oak tree!

Ruby Faye

shenpennangwa

RubyFaye wrote: »

Okay, the Sakya lineage I understand. At least I think I do....doesn't it mean that the Sakya school of thought can be traced back to one person?

Also, within that lineage, there is a tradition called Vajrayana? What is a tradition in a Sakya school?

Could someone explain this to me?

Also, I was wondering if there isn't a sort of 'chart' (kind of like a family tree) available online that shows all the different lineages, traditions, etc.?

I'll go look for myself on Google, but if anyone has knowledge of something of this sort, I surely would appreciate it. Thanks!

Ruby Faye

Hi Ruby,
Like all Tibetan lineages the Sakya are a part of the Vajrayana vehicle.
All Tibetan lineages of course trace back to the teachings of Buddha but the Indian master Virupa is who the Sakya attribute their transmission of esoteric practice instruction to.
You can read an excellent book by Lama Migmar Tseten called Treasures of the Sakya Lineage. This book gives a background on the founding masters of the glorious Sakya.

Palzang

RubyFaye wrote: »

I loved my first day there. And the teacher said more than once that we were going to go slow. And explained why, but I couldn't hear him. Something along the lines of 'that which grows slowly endures'....like an oak tree!

I think what he was probably talking about is that it is important to proceed slowly on the path because if you try to do it all at once or too fast, you end up burning out very quickly. So better to use the tortoise analogy rather than the hare one.

Palzang