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The Path in the Western World

ol753ol753
edited March 2010 in Buddhism Basics
I've been interested in Buddhism for years, and have read up on some things.

I'm currently reading Sogyal Rinpoche's "Tibetan Book of Living an Dying" and It is truly inspiring.

I want to take on a path of meditation to work towards a calmer and more compassionate mind/self and one day hope to attain enlightenment, I'm just wondering if this is at all possible in the western world.

Reading that such things cannot be attained without the presence of a teacher/master, it makes me wonder how, and if countless people wanted to go down this route, would there be enough teachers and masters to go around?

I'm just thinking out loud and probably have more I want to ask, but I wanted to initially ask this.

All the best. Oliver

Comments

  • DhammaDhatuDhammaDhatu Veteran
    edited March 2010
    ol753 wrote: »
    I want to take on a path of meditation to work towards a calmer and more compassionate mind/self and one day hope to attain enlightenment, I'm just wondering if this is at all possible in the western world.
    welcome Oliver

    it is possible. it starts with a more compassionate mind, which includes non-harming.

    then gradually learning & practising more

    practise makes perfect or close enough
    Reading that such things cannot be attained without the presence of a teacher/master,
    a teacher can expose one to the 'flavour' of dhamma. this one can hopefully find in a buddhist centre

    a teacher does not really mean a one on one personal relationship

    just a few words from a teacher can be sufficient to set one on the right course

    after that, the student needs to put it into practise

    kind regards

    dd

    :)
  • PalzangPalzang Veteran
    edited March 2010
    I agree, Oliver. If you create the causes for your teacher to appear in your life, the teacher will always appear. That is the promise that was made long ago, and it will be kept. How do you create the causes? By making strong wishing prayers for it to happen. By creating merit by engaging in virtuous activity for the benefit of others. And most important, by studying the faults of cyclic existence so that renunciation of samsara (ordinary mind) arises.

    Palzang
  • StephenStephen
    edited March 2010
    ol753 wrote: »
    Reading that such things cannot be attained without the presence of a teacher/master, it makes me wonder how, and if countless people wanted to go down this route, would there be enough teachers and masters to go around?
    If you read somewhere that a teacher is required, the source was in error. A teacher can be extremely helpful and some individuals may not wish to make the attempt to gain enlightenment without seeking one out.

    Required though? No. We already have a teacher, the Tathagata, the Buddha; another teacher can help us interpret the Buddha's teachings and show us the path, but ultimately it falls upon us to actually reach the goal ourselves.

    I would suggest finding a suitable teacher if possible, but if not possible simply study and practice on your own.
  • TheFoundTheFound
    edited March 2010
    ...F*** teachers.

    a teacher can't die with you.
    we are all alone.

    alone.

    I thought I needed a teacher,
    I really don't, I just need to conquer myself. I teacher can teach you the way, but you need to take the steps "personally" ALONE..
    A teacher could help guide, sure..
    but don't waste all your time thinking about a teacher,
    or thinking that you can't make any steps on the journey without a teacher..

    any teacher you find, is a human being just like you and me.. (unless you're one abstract mother f*****)

    lets say you are a car, you can get there on your own.. it's hard FOR SURE..but

    ... a teacher is just a bit of nitro and maybe some vague map.., that you can get you there a little bit faster.
  • DeshyDeshy Veteran
    edited March 2010
    TheFound wrote: »
    ...F*** teachers.

    :lol::lol::lol:
  • DeshyDeshy Veteran
    edited March 2010
    Palzang wrote: »
    If you create the causes for your teacher to appear in your life, the teacher will always appear.

    :confused:
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