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New & Have A Couple Of Problems
Hi everyone;
I consider myself "new" to Buddhism, even though I have been reading about it for many years. I went to the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, MA for a few days, and have gone to one or two dharma talks. Aside from that, all my practice and learning has been at home, from books and internet. Now I have moved to a very remote area, and there are no study groups near me. I crave human interaction in understanding Buddhism and wish I had someone to study with. But again, I am WAY out in the wilderness with no local resources.
I have been searching the internet for forums such as this, but haven't had a lot of luck. Either they are very inactive, or when I do find open discussions I find them very vague. By that I mean no offense, but many people answer simple questions with complex scripture quotes, which if I understood, I wouldn't have had a question at all. Does that make any sense? I am just looking for a layman type forum where I can learn more about how to practice, and ask various questions as they come up.
One example would be, I've been reading and reading about Mahayana vs. Theravada vs. Vjarayana, etc. I have umpteen books on Buddhism and STILL can't grasp which is for me. I have read things like "Don't worry about that now, just start somewhere and see where you go", to others who ask that question, but find advice like this frustration, albeit well intended. I find the various terminology used in the different schools confusing, and it's hard enough as it is to learn.
I guess my real question is: Is there a beginner online study group?? One that will help me understand the different beliefs of the different schools, and also how to practice daily and what steps I should be taking next? I try to live compassionately, I meditate, I refrain from harm, etc., but what next? I want so badly to participate more actively in the Buddhist community and feel a lack of down to earth and interactive resources.
Sorry this was so long, but any input would be appreciated! Thank you so much.
I consider myself "new" to Buddhism, even though I have been reading about it for many years. I went to the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, MA for a few days, and have gone to one or two dharma talks. Aside from that, all my practice and learning has been at home, from books and internet. Now I have moved to a very remote area, and there are no study groups near me. I crave human interaction in understanding Buddhism and wish I had someone to study with. But again, I am WAY out in the wilderness with no local resources.
I have been searching the internet for forums such as this, but haven't had a lot of luck. Either they are very inactive, or when I do find open discussions I find them very vague. By that I mean no offense, but many people answer simple questions with complex scripture quotes, which if I understood, I wouldn't have had a question at all. Does that make any sense? I am just looking for a layman type forum where I can learn more about how to practice, and ask various questions as they come up.
One example would be, I've been reading and reading about Mahayana vs. Theravada vs. Vjarayana, etc. I have umpteen books on Buddhism and STILL can't grasp which is for me. I have read things like "Don't worry about that now, just start somewhere and see where you go", to others who ask that question, but find advice like this frustration, albeit well intended. I find the various terminology used in the different schools confusing, and it's hard enough as it is to learn.
I guess my real question is: Is there a beginner online study group?? One that will help me understand the different beliefs of the different schools, and also how to practice daily and what steps I should be taking next? I try to live compassionately, I meditate, I refrain from harm, etc., but what next? I want so badly to participate more actively in the Buddhist community and feel a lack of down to earth and interactive resources.
Sorry this was so long, but any input would be appreciated! Thank you so much.
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Comments
There's a good self-study guide at http://www.buddhanet.net that may help you go over the differences between the schools. Or maybe someone who can put it simply enough will post it here.
i find this board very helpful in that way. it's very active and we have a broad enough group of people that you get a good sampling of all sorts of answers.
A forum's a good place to seek answers, and you can ask as many as you can come up with, but it might not be enough to provide what you're looking for.
what practice would you like to be doing other than meditating? i only meditate. well, sometimes i chant... but i still view this as meditation.
imho, i feel that the rituals are the difference between buddhism being a philosophy and a religion. don't worry too much about them. focus on finding the right form of meditation for you. this can be difficult enough without adding in things like rituals. the buddha was enlightened through meditation, not rituals.
What I'd really like is a teacher!!
I have recently started this two year Buddhist foundation course ran by the Jamyang Centre;
http://www.jamyang.co.uk/StructuredBuddhistCourses.html#fbt
I'm really enjoying it and I think it fulfils the criteria that you're looking for? You study with other students from all over the World (though from the UK mostly in my group), and there's a study forum just for the 15 or so people on your course.
It's Gelug tradition (which doesn't mean much to me mind; I know very little about the differences between Buddhist sects), and I've since found out that it's quite a scholastic Buddhist sect. That suits me, but it may not be everyone's cup of tea.
Also, for a daily meditation practise, have a look at Lamrim meditation; it gives you advice about how to meditate and to live during your 'meditation break'! (That confused me; a 'meditation break' is any time you're not sat on a mat meditating).
I checked your link, but I'm a little confused, maybe I'm looking in the wrong area. It mentions tuition in pounds, and mentions "lunch", etc, suggesting that it's an in person group? Is there an online section that I am missing?
Thanks!
Laura
That being said there are many who have practiced a long time here. And even those who don't strike you as sensible you may learn from their mistakes.
I study with Lama Shenpen Hookham long distance. You may receive her biweekly (or so) emails of her students questions and answers and get a feel for how she teaches. It might be an oppurtunity of interest to you. Try googling 'Shenpen Hookham' 'Buddhism Connect'
And you're right, what I need is a teacher. I appreciate these forums, but I really feel the need for a teacher for guidance.
The email teachings are great. Just reading those you can learn a lot from example. They are in plain intuitive english and any time a unfamiliar word is used it is defined. I recommend even if you are not interested in the course I am taking to check out the emails.
The online course is called discovering the heart of buddhism. You get a coursebook and a packet for how to go about taking the course. You also get a manual on the meditation instructions from the teacher. You are assigned a contact person who you may respond to by e-mail or phone. The contact person is one who has studied closely with the lama for a number of years. It is up to you to keep that relationship going as the contact person cannot keep tabs on everyone so you need to be the activator.
The lama is also receptive to phone calls and e-mails. Sometimes the e-mails don't get answered in my experience. But many of them do and they have been very helpful for me. Usually the ones with a question about how to practice are answered and I am not sure if she is just too busy or doesn't find anything to 'go on' in the ones that are unanswered.
Anyhow that is my experience.
Most Buddhists of the world don't have a choice; the local temple is what they get.
It is possible that you could work something out with them. Just let them know what your circumstances are.
In any case the fee is to support the dharma activity not to get rich and I hope you can benefit from the e-mails if nothing else. If you want and you are in the U.S. I can send you some CDs of teachings. Or outside U.S. if you pay postage.
I would happily take you up on your generous offer of the CD's however! I am in the US, but would still pay you for postage; it's only fair. I'm new to the forum, is there a way to private message so I can give you my address info? Thanks so much for the very kind offer.
Many of us are in the same boat as you. The only center close to me is an NKT center, which isn't for me. You just have to do the best you can do. This is a great group of folks here
But on the way to overcome the obstacle of doubt and sluggishness forms can be used to provide energy and taking the teachings to heart.
Its like a restaurant has some atmosphere even though it doesn't matter if the food is bad.
The ritual is not helpful unless you have a light touch and equinimity. If you have equinimity and a light touch then the rituals are great. Thats how buddhism is. They start the talk by saying 'ok now arouse bodhicitta'. Well if you could do that you don't need to hear the talk! But we start somewhere right?
Rituals also draw you into the mandala of awakening. If you always bow to the buddha in your living room or the painting or the quotation at your desk at work. It reminds you. And it is transformative.
But the message of rituals (to me) isn't that it is a magic spell to doctor you up. But a simple thing as sharing a meal together is a ritual and can be done mindfully. Experiencing things not on autopilot. I think people associate rituals with shutting off their brain and that is not correct. I think the fetter thing is probably a bad translation. Theres rituals and then rituals. For example attachment to rituals is different from a light touch and equinimity and joyous dharma energy.