Finding a path and a teacher

diego898

Hello,

I am new to buddhism and an wondering how exactly to pick between the different disciplines of buddhism? How to find out the difference between them? When I pick one, how do I find a teacher in my area? Is it expensive to meet with a teacher frequently? Does it even cost money?

Thanks

FoibleFull

Google "buddhist centres USA" on the internet. There are sites that will list dharma centres in your area.

Pick one, with or without researching them first on the Net. Start going. Give it at least 6 months. If, after 6 months, you find it just doesn't speak to you, go to another one.

Does it cost? Probably. What it costs depends on the centre:
Here in Edmonton (Canada), I have gone to more than one centre:
- One group charges over $100 for a set of 6 classes (they must pay rent on their meeting place); there is no resident teacher, but they have teachers come in from out of town a few times a year.
- One group meets in someone's home, no charge, no teacher.
- One group (paid for by fund-raising activities of the members) owns their own building, supports a resident Tibetan monk, asks for a donation of $5 to the Centre each time you come to a class (not monitored), offers memberships for $50 a year (you get discount price at retreats, but memberships are not required to attend). To meet privately with the teacher, you make an appointment ... it is respectful to make a donation of money to the teacher directly in a sealed envelope, amount as you can afford ($20 is good amount). However, because you can ask the teacher questions both in class, and right after class, people usually don't meet privately unless they wish to talk about something they don't want other people overhearing.

AllbuddhaBound

FoibleFull wrote: »

Google "buddhist centres USA" on the internet. There are sites that will list dharma centres in your area.

Pick one, with or without researching them first on the Net. Start going. Give it at least 6 months. If, after 6 months, you find it just doesn't speak to you, go to another one.

Does it cost? Probably. What it costs depends on the centre:
Here in Edmonton (Canada), I have gone to more than one centre:
- One group charges over $100 for a set of 6 classes (they must pay rent on their meeting place); there is no resident teacher, but they have teachers come in from out of town a few times a year.
- One group meets in someone's home, no charge, no teacher.
- One group (paid for by fund-raising activities of the members) owns their own building, supports a resident Tibetan monk, asks for a donation of $5 to the Centre each time you come to a class (not monitored), offers memberships for $50 a year (you get discount price at retreats, but memberships are not required to attend). To meet privately with the teacher, you make an appointment ... it is respectful to make a donation of money to the teacher directly in a sealed envelope, amount as you can afford ($20 is good amount). However, because you can ask the teacher questions both in class, and right after class, people usually don't meet privately unless they wish to talk about something they don't want other people overhearing.

It sounds like you have a lot of connections in Edmonton. (I am fairly close by). I was just wondering if you would be okay with me PMing you to find out some specifics FoibleFull? I need to develop a Sangha.

Thanks

diego898

How do I pick between the different paths/schools of thought in Buddhism? It all seems kind of complicated.

FoibleFull

Allbuddha Bound wrote: »

It sounds like you have a lot of connections in Edmonton. (I am fairly close by). I was just wondering if you would be okay with me PMing you to find out some specifics FoibleFull? I need to develop a Sangha.

Thanks

No problem. I'm only familiar with some of the Tibetan Buddhism groups, though.

Stephen

Diego: Learn the basics of Buddhism from a site like http://www.AccessToInsight.org or http://www.BuddhaNet.net. After you have a good grounding on what all schools of Buddhist thought have in common, then take a look at how those schools differ and you'll likely find one that harmonizes with your own personality. I'm something of a universal Buddhist at the moment, not of any school, which is also an option. All of the schools teach the core of Buddhism, which is the cessation of suffering, so in the end it's a matter of preference and/or your own situation and circumstances.

Here are the basic concepts you should be comfortable with:

The Four Noble Truths
The Noble Eightfold Path and the Precepts (5 for lay followers)
Kamma/Karma
Dukkha
Impermanence
Dependent Origination (or Arising, or Co-Arising, etc.)
Non-Self or Selflessness
Rebirth
Samsara
Nibbana/Nirvana

Some of these concepts can't be directly experienced, such as rebirth, but if you don't believe in them at least keep an open mind (avoid belief or disbelief altogether if possible, for each is an attachment).

FoibleFull

diego898 wrote: »

How do I pick between the different paths/schools of thought in Buddhism? It all seems kind of complicated.

Don't pick. Try out different schools, one at a time, for a period of time. When you find one (maybe the first one, maybe the second ...) that suits YOU and YOUR temperament, you will know.