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Type of Buddhism

cranreuchcranreuch
edited March 2011 in Buddhism Basics
For no particular reason (except maybe I detected slightly less of a religious overtone) I've been looking at Zen as a way to look further into Buddhism. However, I'm enjoying re-reading "Buddhism For Busy People" by David Michie, and he describes his experiences in terms of Tibetan Buddhism. And not far from me there is something known as a "Chinese Buddhist Temple", which I know little about (except it has a big fat gold Buddha outside).

Anyone experienced more than one tradition and care to share personal experiences of their differences/similarities?

(And please, and with the greatest respect, if you have esoteric and cryptic comments on how I am asking the wrong question, or am attached to something or other, or how one hand clapping is worth two in the bush, then thanks but no thanks. Mine is a simple question, asked in English by a Westerner. Have you experienced more than one tradition, and if so what were they like? Thanks :) )

Comments

  • SpacelessSpaceless
    edited March 2011
    Is about a big fat gold Buddha :thumbsup:

    May the merits of sharing be dedicated to all beings
  • TheswingisyellowTheswingisyellow Trying to be open to existence Samsara Veteran
    Sent you a PM
  • laurajeanlaurajean
    And not far from me there is something known as a "Chinese Buddhist Temple", which I know little about (except it has a big fat gold Buddha outside).
    No, Cran, that's just the Thai Restaurant on the corner.... :D

    I'm sorry, it's late and that sentence just struck me funny. In all seriousness, I've been studying varied schools of Buddhism myself. In my case, I started out with Zen many years ago, and now am studying Tibetan lately, although I hesitate to share my experiences on it because I am still trying to fully understand it myself. But I will be interested in hearing the experiences of others with the different paths!
  • cranreuchcranreuch
    No, Cran, that's just the Thai Restaurant on the corner.... :D
    :D Apparently it's called Fo Guang Shan -- just googled for a picture of it.

  • laurajeanlaurajean
    edited March 2011
    Yes, I know the place. After you meditate you can have a virgin Shirley Temple in a fat buddha cup with a baby umbrella, and you get to keep the cup! :thumbsup:
  • cranreuchcranreuch
    Yes, I know the place. After you meditate you can have a virgin Shirley Temple in a fat buddha cup with a baby umbrella, and you get to keep the cup! :thumbsup:
    I've driven past it umpteen times (assuming we're in the same city -- but let's keep that nameless shall we ;) ) but I've never been able to drum up the courage to go in.

  • laurajeanlaurajean
    Well, if you end up going let me know how it was!
  • SabreSabre Veteran
    I visited sanghas of different traditions and have read into literature of Therevada, Zen, Mahayana.

    They are the same thing, really. All Buddhism. They all follow the 8-fold path, which you can walk on different ways, but all lead to the same goal. They are all about meditation, loving kindness and insight into true nature of the mind. If you don't see the connection yet, it will come with time. All differences are just superficial. So follow whatever tradition you feel comfortable with or where you can find a teacher you can relate to.

    But in the end it all comes down to good meditation and transforming the mind, in all traditions this is the same.
  • fivebellsfivebells Veteran
    edited March 2011
    It's very valuable to have a sangha and a teacher to consult with regularly, and sanghas and teachers vary more within schools than the schools vary between each other. So when I move to a new area, I always try all of the Buddhist groups and teachers in the vicinity, and go with the group/teacher who seem most likely to help with my practice, regardless of school.
  • hermitwinhermitwin Veteran
    edited March 2011
    Sorry not referring to your specific temple.
    I would advised against going to Chinese Buddhist Temples, before you
    have a good foundation in Buddhism.
    From my personal experience, its a place where people go to pray for good fortune.
  • fivebellsfivebells Veteran
    BTW, if you're interested in a less religious overtone, check out Then And Now, a series of talks which examines Tibetan Buddhist beliefs and practices from a Modernist perspective.
  • SherabDorjeSherabDorje
    Sorry not referring to your specific temple.
    I would advised against going to Chinese Buddhist Temples, before you
    have a good foundation in Buddhism.
    From my personal experience, its a place where people go to pray for good fortune.
    Some Chinese temples simply practice a mixture of Ch'an and Pure Land. I would advise investigating the particular temple in question rather than going on generalizations.

    IMHO.
  • SeMichSeMich Explorer
    I agree with you Sabre. As someone relatively new to practice, I drift a bit, although I am inclined to say that I am more in line with Theravada, save its excessively monastic focus. I also combine my practice with yoga (the breathing and body movements, not the philsophy, which really cannot be reconciled with the FNTs imo; my instructor is trained in vipassanā, however, and has rather artfully combined the two, as have a variety of other practitioners).

    Moreover, I am of course a Western practitioner. It was not ritual or metaphysics that drew me to dharma practice, and my own practice is pared down accordingly: truths, precepts, eightfold path, meditation.
  • DisneyDisney
    Basically, there are 4 types.

    Buddha remembrance on Suchness
    Buddha remembrance on Vipasana
    Buddha remembrance on Buddha image of picture/statue
    Buddha remembrance on mindfulness of Buddha/Bodhisavatta name :thumbsup:

    Merits dedication to all sentience!
  • PalzangPalzang Veteran
    I was stationed in Japan in the Air Force and became enamored of Zen while there. I still love Zen poetry, art, etc, but I found the practice didn't suit my personality very well, so I ended up in Tibetan Buddhism which is much better for me, imho. But as has been said, they're all Buddhism. There are many different types of people though, so it's not a one size fits all deal.

    Palzang
  • dorjedorje
    I went to a Theravadin temple once and it felt very sombre and solemn. Not my type of place, personally. I felt it was too formal for my liking.

    Then I went to a Chinese Buddhist temple, and it was more elaborate, less formal, but found that too much folk beliefs was influencing the temple. It was fun, though.

    I went to a Shingon temple, and I felt it was really awe-inspiring.

    The Zendo I went to was very very spartan. Too much for me because I'm a very sensual person (a person very in tune with his senses, not the horny kind).

    I found the Tibetan style fit me very well, with all the sounds and sights and smells and tastes, and there was an overall mood of celebration everywhere.

    Of course, all these were personal feelings, and you may like one more than the other, but essentially there's not much difference in the core.
  • CloudCloud Veteran
    I wish I could just go visit temples. There's nothing around here, would have to make arrangements for a day out and about.
  • JeffreyJeffrey Veteran
    Cloud, have you tried facebook, craig's list, or even gutsy mention to the Chinese Takeout or whatever if they practice buddhism? My fear in my area is that the buddhists practicing will not accept me. Or that their practice will not help me with my current practice.
  • CloudCloud Veteran
    edited March 2011
    There are a couple of Chinese food places around here, but I'm not sure if I'd have the courage to ask them if they practice Buddhism. That's a kinda off-the-wall thing to just ask people you don't (personally) know. I'm sure I can find some Buddhist monasteries within an hour or two drive, I just don't know if I'd get around to the visiting part... and if I did visit I might end up staying, you might not see me again for some time. :)
  • JeffreyJeffrey Veteran
    Cloud you could mention that you really like Asian food. Then they will ask you a question such as what you like about it. You could say something 'my favorite is sweet and sour chicken'.. I have always wanted to try 'general tsaos chicken'. I also have an appreciation for Asian architecture and near to my heart is my practice of Buddhism.

    I'm giving myself ideas now.

    I think you are in western? pennsylvania or maybe we could start a club and post something in a coffee shop or restaurant. I have been through there with a friend looking for a dwelling in d.c. And of course always admired Joe Pa the coach of the Nittany Lions.
  • laurajeanlaurajean
    BTW, if you're interested in a less religious overtone, check out Then And Now, a series of talks which examines Tibetan Buddhist beliefs and practices from a Modernist perspective.
    Excellent; I've been looking for exactly this type of thing. Thanks for posting it!

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