bagong

I'm Theravada Buddhist. My "practice" really doesn't extend very far beyond observing the 5 precepts, and occasionally visiting monastaries.


Darth Dane:

Do not believe anything because it is said by an authority, or if it is said to come from angels, or from Gods, or from an inspired source. Believe it only if you have explored it in your own heart and mind and body and found it to be true. Work out your own path, through diligence.
Guatama Buddha

This also means don't follow Buddha because he said some stuff, work out your way through the labyrinth. Your own path, denotes that a group cannot find Truth together but only on their own.

The Kalama Sutta is often quoted out-of-context by Westerners (actually, your quote appears to be an interpolation of 2 unrelated passages, one from the Kalama Sutta and one from the Mahaparinibbana Sutta). The Kalamas were non-Buddhists, uncertain about which religious philosophy to follow (6th century BCE India was a time of great religious innovation, there were dozens of sects running around). They were asking the Buddha for advice on how to decide which group to follow. The above passage was (more or less) the Buddha's advice. He is NOT saying that you should refuse to follow any teacher or tradition, and that you need to find your own way completely unguided. He is merely saying that in deciding which teacher to follow, you should weigh his/her teachings against your own common sense.

Whispers:

Theravadans practice for and believe in the idea of an Arahant(an individual that has achieved full enlightenment), and the Mahayanists teach that a truely adept spiritual follower would refrain from attaining Nirvana, untill all sentient beings are also set free from samsara (a bodhissatva).

The idea that the Bodhisattva delays attainment of Nirvana is a very common misconception. In fact, the Bodhisattva is also committed to attaining enlightenment as fast as possible. The difference is that s/he is aiming for the Full Enlightenment of a Buddha (in Paali, sammaa-sambodhi), as opposed to the enlightenment of the Arhat (saavaka-bodhi). The former takes much longer (conventionally it is said to take 3 aeons, i.e. many millions of years), but the Bodhisattva is going as fast as s/he can.

Theravadins accept the distinction between the path of the Arhat and the Bodhisatta (Sanskrit Bodhisattva), although in Theravada the difference between the fruits of the 2 paths is not as great as it becomes in Mahayana. It's just considered a bit presumptious and unnecessary for everyone to become a complete, perfect Buddha. Enlightenment alone is enough; there is no need for everyone to get the fancy powers of a complete Buddha (the only real distinction between an Arhat and a Buddha in Theravada is these supposed super-powers).

Paul30:

The main difference I see between Minhayana and Theravada Buddhism is that the former has a whole pantheon of gods and goddesses and spirits and such, and deals with what happens after death, while Theravada does not.

Well, Theravada also accepts the pantheon of Hindu gods and spirits. What it doesn't have is the Bodhisattvas and Sambhogakaya-Buddhas, who are philosophically quite distinct from "gods", although in practice they are often treated as such.

And Theravada also deals with reincarnation, although it does not have the elaborate theories about Pure Lands or Intermediate States found in certain Mahayana schools.

Totalitarianist

I don't believe in that superstition. My views on Buddhism are the same as my views on Christianity.

And so to answer your question: yes. As for me, I am actually studying Buddhism. I am quite impressed by it so far.

Entropic_Gnosis

For several years now i have studied buddhism and about a year ago i "converted" to a very stripped down from of buddhism based mostly on the ethical and intellectual teachings of the buddha. I have found buddhims to be very intellectually satisfying as it not only allows for questioning but encourages it.

Answerer

I don't like to constraint myself too much, so I will try to practise whatever that suits me in certain circumstances. I'm now trying to find out how to be 'aware' when I'm asleep.

Totalitarianist

"Intellectually satisfying"? LOL. Buddhism is very shallow, to say the absolute least. Christianity, although a more detestable religion, is far more profound.

Answerer

Yeah, yeah, Totalitarianist, I nearly forgot that you worship Stalin and Hilter only.

kalamasutta

I tend to "practice" the Pure Land way.............."practice" in inverted comma's because it is the totalityof our lives - as actually lived and experienced each day - that needs to be our "practice"..............Distinct techniques - any moment set aside and seen as "practice" - can easily slide towards a "self-power" perspective..........and Pure Land embraces Tariki - Other Power.

(Though as saichi says........."there is neither self power nor other power, just the graceful acceptance only")

One of the Desert Fathers once said that when you see someone climbing up to heaven by his own will, then grab his legs and pull him down..............another Faith, but it does point towards the difficulty/contradiction within all Buddhist traditions and practices..............we have only the "self" and its ways to come to the realization of "no-self"!!! Pulling ourselves up by our bootstraps! For me, every genuine dharma gate is a way of overcoming the contradiction, working through it.......The parable of the Dharma Rain from the Lotus Sutra is one of the greatest expressions of this....the rain of truth falls and each responds according to their own nature. A rose will never be a daffodil.............and as the Zen master said......"see that bamboo, how short it is...see that bamboo, how long it is. That is their nature". Each to their own.......Theravada, Mahayana, Zen/Chan and all the flavours in between, the various mixes and variants......."ehipassiko" - come and see for oneself.

(I have just read a few words from Osho, from his book on courage.............he asserts that most of us are just searching for a "beautiful imprisonment", a certainty that stifles a genuine search in the bud. Perhaps he is right?)

Anyway, I think I've waffled enough...perhaps I've had far to much time this bright sunday morning.............

Namu-amida-butsu!

Totalitarianist

I worship no one, and I hate Hitler as much as Jews in general hate Hitler. Let us stay on topic, though.

andy_d

Vajrayana for me, in the Karma Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism

The emphasis is on experience (incorporating the pure view and lots of meditation) and close identification with the goal. The meditation style is therefore Guru Yoga, where the connection between the teacher and student becomes important.

I find this approach really useful as a lay practitioner, as we're encouraged to meet life head on and work with the difficulties directly. I always find that it's when I have problems that I get the most interesting insights.

andy_d

Vajrayana for me, in the Karma Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism

The emphasis is on experience (incorporating the pure view and lots of meditation) and close identification with the goal. The meditation style is therefore Guru Yoga, where the connection between the teacher and student becomes important.

I find this approach really useful as a lay practitioner, as we're encouraged to meet life head on and work with the difficulties directly. I always find that it's when I have problems that I get the most interesting insights.