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Theravada and Vajarayana

TheswingisyellowTheswingisyellow Trying to be open to existenceSamsara Veteran
edited November 2010 in Buddhism Basics
Can the two be reconciled? I am truely torn between the two. I find the no non-sense sutra study and meditation of of the Theravada traditon compelling and very necessary. Vajrayana on the other hand has a variety of practices that on the surface ( from my limited point of view) that seem to cut through duality and ego clinging. What Vajrayana lacks for me is it's non-reliance on the early sutras or even the Buddha. It also seems take simple truths and layer them heavily with tradition and culture. Some of it seems so unnecessary, for me it was starting to lose it's point. I am NOT trying to harsh on Vajrayana practioners I am just tyring to find my way. I find things from both traditions worthy of practice. It is a struggle for me right now, so I am posting this. All comments are welcome. Thank you in advance.
All the best,
Todd

Comments

  • edited October 2010
    It could be said that a thorough understanding of all that is practiced in Theravada is necessary to Vajrayana. That is to say, you can't have Vajrayana without Theravada. (I'm struggling here...) Vajrayana is no "better" than Theravada- it's just different. I just think if you asked somebody like HHDL this, he would say something like "the experiences fundamental to Vajrayana are to be found in Theravada". I also think he'd say something like "different strokes for different folks". Vajrayana relies heavily on knowledge of the sutras and on the figure of the Buddha.
  • nanadhajananadhaja Veteran
    edited October 2010
    This will be something that will come to you with time.Vajrayana has some great things going for it.I enjoyed many of the meditation practices that I did when I first set out on this path.For me however the Theravada tradition had a stronger pull.As stated by SherabDorje above "different strokes for different folks"
    Take your time,check out a few different places.I think you will find your choice will come to you.
    With metta
  • edited October 2010
    It all builds on eachother. First there is theravada. All buddhists consider theravada legitimate. Then we take that a step further into mahayana. Then we take it a step further into vajrayana. It al builds on each other. Of course, if you're theravada you might think that that's it, and this isn't from that perspective.
  • TheswingisyellowTheswingisyellow Trying to be open to existence Samsara Veteran
    edited November 2010
    To all thank you for your replys. I had just come away from several months of ngondro practice and found myself missing the Pali canon and some of my earlier contemplation/vipassana meditation practices. I almost felt like I was "accumulating" practices, more of a doing state than a being state. It is sort of up in the air for me as to if I will continue to persue the Vajrayana path. My support for this was somewhat lacking as well and this I am sure has something to do with it. I do love some of the practices and shall keep them, that of bodhicitta, going for refuge (just not in the lama) tonglen, lojong, generosity, making offerings (but in a broader sense to all sentient beings) and possibly some visualization/mantra practice to Lord Buddha. Ideals of the bodhisattva are certainly worth holding onto. Thanks for letting me share my thoughts and for all the good feedback.
    Yours in the Dhamma/Dharma
    Todd
  • TheswingisyellowTheswingisyellow Trying to be open to existence Samsara Veteran
    edited November 2010
    Maybe when we push that mental evelope we get scared and want to runaway. I believe that is what motivated me in my original post. Whatever occurs we must continue to look at our minds, look at our reasoning for doing things and whether we are scared or joyful or in between, just be with that. My Vajrayana practice has born much fruit and it something I will continue with. I have learned though I will not ignore what my mind also loves, reading the Pali canon, my Vipassana practice and many of the wonderful ideas that are inherent to Theravada. I guess I am a Vajrayvada practioner:p
    With metta and bodhicitta,
    Todd
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