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Which Tradition?
I'm slightly confused.
I have been to a Kadampa Centre but thought that they taught Mahayana and have bought a few very goods books from this centre which I am wading my way through. I have other books that are Theravada.
I have done a search on the forums for more information on the Kadampa Tradition and have found that it has a bit of bad press.
I came across an old post where someone mentioned they went to a Kadampa Center in Raleigh (NC) but that this must not be confused with the New Kadampa Tradition as its different.
Is the New Kadampa Tradition different to Mahayana?
Sorry if its a silly question but I am trying to start off on the right foot!!
I have been to a Kadampa Centre but thought that they taught Mahayana and have bought a few very goods books from this centre which I am wading my way through. I have other books that are Theravada.
I have done a search on the forums for more information on the Kadampa Tradition and have found that it has a bit of bad press.
I came across an old post where someone mentioned they went to a Kadampa Center in Raleigh (NC) but that this must not be confused with the New Kadampa Tradition as its different.
Is the New Kadampa Tradition different to Mahayana?
Sorry if its a silly question but I am trying to start off on the right foot!!
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Comments
More on Vajrayana here!
Nice to hear from you, Luv. Happy New Year!
Happy New Year!
Namaste
The best way forward is not to get too involved with any centre to begin with, but to take plenty of time to investigate carefully....and maybe check out a few other centres too.
Yes you will find Ven geshe-la works are very handy and practical especially the implemenation of Lamrim in the New meditation handbook which I like to keep close to my heart, The New kadampa tradition presents itself as a Mahayana tradition even though there are practises of Vajrayana within the New kadampa tradition entrance into Vajrayana is not successful without first having gained knowledge and personal experience of the Lamrim and Lojong which are the primary Mahayana studies within the New Kadamapa tradition, All these practises are Gelugpa the name Gelug literally means "Pure ones " The name Gelugpa was applied to the followers of Je Tsongkhapa and became the primary moniker, before hand however the mahayana tradition of Lamrim meditation Je tsongkhapa received was primarily known as the Kadampa tradition and hence forth after Je Tsonghapa the Recieved lineage also became known as the New Kadampa tradition.
Unfortunatly yes we do receive alot of bad press however the majority of the bad press is the result of unsavoury buisness of Tibetan politics and petty Traditional arguements Inflated to silly proportions. Due to the hostile climate and years of Non response by the New kadamapa tradition rumours and accusations have become very damaging and have lead to offical response to try and clear up some misunderstandings and false accusations concerning the New Kadamapa tradition its practitoners, Lineage and offiliates which can be found here at http://www.newkadampatruth.org/new-kadampa-tradition/
Theravada books are also very good reads
The Kadamapa centre at Raleigh is affiliated with another group but they should still share a relatively same lineage as the New kadamapa tradition being a centre dedicated to Gelug practise.
Hope that clears some questions up for you.
FWIW I'm Tibetan Kagyu tradition, and initially started my practice within a Ch'an (Chinese Zen) sangha. All traditions have slightly different ways of doing things and different ways of saying similar things, and you can learn from all of them.
I have read two or three books of Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso and found them to be excellent. Very clear.
Please bear in mind before Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso split off from the main Tibetan group (whoever), he was invited by the founder of the FPMT, namely, Lama Yeshe, to teach in the West. Lama Yeshe was an excellent teacher but, most of all, a supreme practitioner.
So in terms of mere learning, the books of Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso are fine. In fact, probably better than most.
My impression is the controversy about the NKT is about their disagreements with the Dalai Lama (regarding a certain Tibetan deity, which HHDL placed on ban on) and also some problems with their gurus. But when a tradition like NKT grows so fast, based on practitioners opening new centres faster than McDonalds & KFC open fast food outlets, then there is bound to be the occassion problem (such as sexual misconduct & cult/sheep like behaviour) due to the immaturity & worldliness of some of the leaders & followers.
But apart from that, as long as one has common sense, is capable of following the actual teachings (such as the five precepts) and is capable of taking sufficient responsibility for oneself, then all should be well.
The NKT have done much to promote Buddhism & meditation in the West.
Best wishes
DD
I must admit, I have lost a little respect for Dalai Lama for the ban that he placed regarding the Kadampa's because on the one hand, he is preaching that we must be open and accepting of all but on the other, he banned people from having anything to do with the Kadampa's which to me, seems hypocritical. Anyway, I returned his new Autobiography book yesterday and got a refund!!
Is this where you go?
I would recommend reading the responses to the accusations against the Kadampa's at the above link that Caz supplied as this ironed out some worries I had.
Hope you enjoy the center