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Understanding My Path
Knowing that in order to grow I must start with a solid foundation...I am feeling slightly overwhelmed with all the information I'm getting from my studies. I am trying to determine what & how exactly I should be practicing. I read information on Theravada, then information on Mahayana, then read about Zen, and Tibetan Buddhism, Shingon...somehow everything just gets co-mingled, and I can't distinguish what practices belong to what path. If I meditate a certain way am I following Theravada and not Mahayana? If I recite a certain mantra, is the use of it in relation to a specific type of Buddhism? As you can tell I have much to learn. Yet, I'm certain that I will find clarity here. Thank you in advance for you help.
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Comments
The first line that you stated is a great importance, I think. A solid foundation is very necessary for one to lay their practice upon. Otherwise, just like a building, if is is not built upon a solid foundation, there is the danger of it "collapsing" at some point in the future. A good start!
Yes, there is a lot to cover form the various traditions, and it can be a little confusing when trying to sort things out. I think that no matter which tradition one ends up practicing, there is no better place to begin than the four noble truths. This is for those leaning towards Theravada, and Mahayana alike. I suggest first to try to examine these four truths in general, and in relation to your life, and then others around you also. This helps to avoid Buddhism becoming only a "study".
In most traditions, meditation is also used as a tool to achieve our goals. It is a pretty broad topic in itself. Some may disagree, but I think that it is never a bad idea to seek out a Buddhist meditation teacher or group (or a few, as there are sometimes different methods and approaches) in your area. Usually, they would have a pretty good understanding of Dharma as well, and this can be helpful.
I should add, that usually when one recites (most) mantras during practice, these would first be taught by a qualified teacher. Usually mantra's are used by those practicing Vajrayana, which requires one to have a teacher and also requires one to receive "transmission" or "permission" to use the particular mantra. At that point it is much clearer as to the reasoning behind it, and the actual practice itself by way of proper instruction. Good to get yourself grounded before worrying about these kind of things.
At some point it may be a little clearer as to which "approach" seems to fit in the best with you. So in the meantime, I might suggest to keep with the basics and go from there!
Probably a bit more to add, but I'll leave it at that for now.
Good luck!
M
I would suggest, to start with the very basics. I would focus on the 4 Noble Truths, which includes the Eightfold Path and the Three Marks (anicca, dukkha, and anatta). This is the foundation of Buddhism and something all schools share. For this I would recommend accesstoinsight.org and what-buddha-taught.net/
I would also start with some short, daily meditation:
http://www.urbandharma.org/udharma4/mpe.html
http://video.google.de/videoplay?doc...0254352711693#
In my opinion, it's especially important to find a sangha and a teacher if you choose to practice Tibetan branches or Zen. Just chanting a mantra with no understanding of the purpose or meaning will not benefit you much at all.
It's also important to consider what you want out of Buddhism. People come to it for many different reasons.
You don't need to choose one school of study. Once you have a good foundation, a good understanding of the core teachings, you can start to explore the other elements and find what works for you. Don't limit yourself for the sake of a label.