Howdy, Stranger!

It looks like you're new here. If you want to get involved, click one of these buttons!

Sign In Register
Examples: Monday, today, last week, Mar 26, 3/26/04
Welcome home! Please contact lincoln@icrontic.com if you have any difficulty logging in or using the site. New registrations must be manually approved which may take several days. Can't log in? Try clearing your browser's cookies.

I dont know which path to follow

KatieKatie
edited March 2010 in Buddhism Basics
Hello, i wonder if you could help me, i would very much appreciate it. :)

For a long time now i have felt out of balance within myself but have also been reluctant to turn to religion because i had always been exposed to christiananity but felt as though i couldnt commit seriously because i didn't believe the ideaoligy. However recently i feel like i really need a pathway and... i just dont feel right. SO, ive been researching and self searching and feel asthough buddhism is 'right'. you know. and im really positive in feeling this right finally after feeling so negitive for so long. BUT i cant decide whether i should follow theravada or mahayana?! which do you think i will benefit from learning seeing as im a beginner....or if maybe you could tell me the difference? im having trouble clearly distinguishing the two...is it the different texts or id there a huge difference in the lessons... :S
i hope this doesnt sound stupid.
but i would really appreciate some help.
thank you :)

Comments

  • JaphyJaphy New
    edited March 2010
    Any Buddhism within reach is worth reaching for, from my perspective. Find a center near to you and explore its teachings. In the final analysis, there are differences in emphasis but not substance...and there are no blood oaths taken. You could, for instance go on to examine others.
  • MatSaltedMatSalted
    edited March 2010
    Katie wrote: »
    Hello, i wonder if you could help me, i would very much appreciate it. :)

    For a long time now i have felt out of balance within myself but have also been reluctant to turn to religion because i had always been exposed to christiananity but felt as though i couldnt commit seriously because i didn't believe the ideaoligy. However recently i feel like i really need a pathway and... i just dont feel right. SO, ive been researching and self searching and feel asthough buddhism is 'right'. you know. and im really positive in feeling this right finally after feeling so negitive for so long. BUT i cant decide whether i should follow theravada or mahayana?! which do you think i will benefit from learning seeing as im a beginner....or if maybe you could tell me the difference? im having trouble clearly distinguishing the two...is it the different texts or id there a huge difference in the lessons... :S
    i hope this doesnt sound stupid.
    but i would really appreciate some help.
    thank you :)

    Hey

    Maybe try finding the Dharma the Buddha found?

    Not committing to any school until you don't find the decision so hard?

    Good luck,

    Mat
  • DazzleDazzle
    edited March 2010
    Hi Katie and welcome.

    My suggestion is that you take your time and focus on the core teachings of the Buddha - namely The Four Noble Truths and The Noble Eightfold Path.

    You can read about The Four Noble Truths here:

    http://www.buddhanet.net/4noble.htm


    Kind wishes,

    Dazzle


    .
  • JeffreyJeffrey Veteran
    edited March 2010
    Just try one out and if it doesn't feel right then tell someone about it to learn more. If you give up on the community to find an answer to not feeling right then try a different community.

    The point of the dharma is to find something that we agree with and that is helpful to us. If it is not helpful then it is no loss if you give it up for something different. The test of the dharma is if it works.
  • fivebellsfivebells Veteran
    edited March 2010
    Katie wrote: »
    ...recently i feel like i really need a pathway and... i just dont feel right.
    Hi, Katie. I think you might find something helpful in the following series of podcasts, "Ideology and Wisdom." I wish you well in your search.
  • KatieKatie
    edited March 2010
    thank you all so much, i think im going to begin with the eightfold path and take your advice and see which feels right as i go on rather than deciding right now. Thank you :)
  • DhammaDhatuDhammaDhatu Veteran
    edited March 2010
    Katie wrote: »
    BUT i cant decide whether i should follow theravada or mahayana?!
    hi Katie

    what is available in Buddhism is more diverse than just theravada & mahayana

    within theravada & mahayana there is also diversity

    for me, the matter to consider is defining one's personal needs before choosing a certain school

    the eightfold path certainly has the basics and is to be recommended

    but various schools have their nuances

    kind regards & best wishes

    dd

    :smilec:
  • StephenStephen
    edited March 2010
    There are several differences between the schools, but the predominant one is that in the Mahayana tradition they feel the final goal is not Arahantship, but the Bodhisattva ideal, which in Mahayana means the attainment of liberation not only for one's self, but also for the liberation of others. To this end they place the "Bodhisattva" as higher than an Arahant, where in Theravada the end is Arahantship, which is the attainment of the same Nibbana as the Buddha (no further fetters, no sensual desires, desire for becoming, or desire for non-becoming).

    In truth, for an individual this may not be the reason for joining either school. A Theravadin may just as well attain Arahantship and then spend the rest of their lives helping others to do the same. In the Mahayana tradition, one takes a vow to do this.

    As always, I recommend learning the conceptual teachings of The Four Noble Truths, Dukkha, Kamma, Nibbana, The Noble Eightfold Path, Dependent Arising, Selflessness and Impermanence and then go from there.

    I don't belong to any school, but being firmly on the path now (the "path of seeing"), I find it difficult to imagine only liberating myself and not helping others to do the same. That is, once I reach that level of wisdom and have the capability to teach it properly.
  • pegembarapegembara Veteran
    edited March 2010
    Katie,

    You may like to take a look at this site

    http://www.accesstoinsight.org/
  • FoibleFullFoibleFull Canada Veteran
    edited March 2010
    Katie, follow both paths until one is clearly your path. The best way to approach Buddhism is to go into undecided, openhearted and openminded, ready to learn whatever it has to teach you.
Sign In or Register to comment.