Mr Average

As I am a on/off practitioner of Theravadan Buddhism, I am very interested in the experiences of others who have looked at or practiced this form and later rejected it for whatever reason. I am particularly interested in a critique of this form as a veichle for living a more harmonious, peaceful and truthful life. I am not looking to argue for my current method of practice here, just to get other thoughts, ideas and critical opinions.

TIA

In Peace, Mr Average.

lenrek

Well... Since you are "on" and "off" with this school of Buddhism, why not start with yourself. Let us know in what way you find it good, in what way you find it not good.

graymouser

Having tried Theravadan Buddhism for a brief time before giving up on it, my commentary on it:

Meditation produced in me a very intense sort of calm, and a particularly euphoric feeling, that I strongly suspect came more from the way focused meditation stimulates the brain than anything mystical (though I'm sure most Buddhists wouldn't really have to argue with that). It also produced leg cramps, and I can't do a lotus position to save my life; that was somewhat irksome. And while the references to gods and whatnot turned me off a little, I didn't find too much objectionable and much rather lovely in the ideology. It's just that the striving for the cessation of grasping, to me, means too much the cessation of all the passions that life really has. Buddhism always has had and always will have a lot of attraction to me, at present much moreso than any other religion, but I can't see myself finding nibbana, or even becoming really happy in going toward it, and I know I couldn't sustain a commitment to the Eightfold Path. I suppose you could say I'm too Western for Buddhism, in my way. I occasionally think of going back to sangha, or just sitting, but I just couldn't feel that it was for me.

I hope that was informative for you.

-Wayne

Mr Average

I have been practicing for ten years or so. Periods of intense sitting practice and a daily commitment to the noble precepts have been followed by periods of listlessness and a falling away from practice. Everything seems circular you know? I have sat and spoken with ordained Monks from the Forest tradition of Ajahn Chah and his western practitioners such as Ajahn Sumedho. I have been inspired every single time, and am constantly amazed by their presence and clear seeing. The philosophy makse sense, at least what I understand does, but the form seems to lack some kind of devotional element, and this is perhaps what I hunger for. I dont know.

I have read a huge amount of books by writers like Kornfield, Salzberg, Thich Nhat Hanh {spelling], Titmuss and many of the other contemporary commenttators and writers on this subject. I have sat with Buddhist groups of differing traditions, sat on my own, looked as deeply as I can and am still left in an endless circle of doubt. Perhaps this is what I need to look at most.

Any thoughts?

Nostalgic Pushhead

In high school I became interested in Buddhism for a little while... Theravada was the type that really interested me. The rest were really out-there, I thought. I abandoned it because I didn't buy the reincarnation stuff, but I liked it otherwise.

To this day Theravada Buddhism is the only religion I respect.

lenrek

Frankly, I can't really be sure what is the source of your problem.

Just curious, are you happy with your live? What is it that you want? What is it that you are looking for? From your profile, what do you mean by Truth Seeker? What truth you are looking for?

Mr Average

Maybe one of the hindrances has worked it's magic spell on me? Doubt is insidious and works its way into many areas of our lives. The form of Theravada is a good one for the realisation of the truth of the moment, and the way things are. Doubt however, makes me question the form, question the practice and question myself. I need to watch the doubt arising and passing away...over and over and over again...

In Peace, Mr Average

lenrek

Doubt is rooted from ignorant. Only when one has gained the final Enlightenment, one is able to be freed from ignorant. Since, we are not enlighten, we are (therefore) expected to be affected by ignorant. Doubt (usually in Buddhism, when we say doubt, it means no confidence in the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha) on the other hand, is only eradicated at the point of stream-entry (sotapana). Unless you are a sotapana, you will definitely face doubt now and then. Thus, this is very normal and is nothing to be worry about.

Whenever I am in doubt, I always reminded myself about the Buddha, the Teachings and the noble disciples. It is by remembering the accomplishment of the Buddha and His disciples, and by remembering the profoundness of the teachings, I found my confident, strength and inspiration into the practice. Knowing that this practice give me joy, insight and fulfillment, I affirm my faith into this religion.

From your previous postings, I get this impression that you have read into many Buddhist literature. Chances are, you know as much as I know about the Buddha, and you may have enough knowledge into the Teachings. By remembering them and also the experiences that you have gained, I am sure they can bring comfort into your practice.

If you have something else in your mind and wish to discuss, I suggest we can talk over PM. I think we are off-topic here, since this thread is about getting feedback on why some who had embraced Theravada Buddhism, but decided to move away from it.

Mr Average

Thank you for this, it has given me food for thought. I will greatfully accept your kind offer and contact you via PM.

In Peace, Mr Average