Hi all,
I don't know whether you recall some of my previous posts - effectively a confusion about where my affiliations fall (Theravada or Tibetan systems).
Anyway, the difficulty has always been articulating my confusions...I think I have got a little closer.
When I read Nargajuna or comentaries on the Heart Sutra my faith soars. I get a sense of deep understanding of Emptiness, believe me its palpable!
However, when I look at the practices in the Tibetan Schools, the complex Vajrayana pujas (of which I was Empowered to practice over two decades ago and was indeed an ardent student) I back off. Too much.
When I read some of the Suttas I don't feel the power and inspiration I do when reading the Mahayana texts.
However, when I look at the Theravadin practices I feel a strong resonance. Simple Samatha, Vipassana or especially Anapanasati are much more in-line with my current needs.
Can you see my quandary? Its not just a case of reading the Heart Sutra and practicing Vipassana - they both come with baggage that seem to be an inherent part of both schools.
Sorry if I am banging on the same door....but this is a massive part of my life and has been for a while.
Thanks for any input...!
Finally pinned it down...
- Beautiful Breath
- Posts: 162
- Joined: Sun May 03, 2009 10:25 am
- Location: South West England, UK
- Contact:
Re: Finally pinned it down...
Then from a pragmatic perspective, this is a good thing to know, and you can practice accordingly.Beautiful Breath wrote:However, when I look at the Theravadin practices I feel a strong resonance. Simple Samatha, Vipassana or especially Anapanasati are much more in-line with my current needs.
Plus, there's nothing saying that you can't still draw some inspiration from the Heart Sūtra, etc.
Re: Finally pinned it down...
Why you have to choose one over the other?
Sotthī hontu nirantaraṃ - May you forever be well.
- tiltbillings
- Posts: 23046
- Joined: Wed Dec 31, 2008 9:25 am
Re: Finally pinned it down...
You don't. The Heart Sutra is a practice text that is mostly compatible with vipassana practice.Buckwheat wrote:Why you have to choose one over the other?
>> Do you see a man wise [enlightened/ariya] in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.<< -- Proverbs 26:12
This being is bound to samsara, kamma is his means for going beyond. -- SN I, 38.
“Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?” HPatDH p.723
This being is bound to samsara, kamma is his means for going beyond. -- SN I, 38.
“Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?” HPatDH p.723
Re: Finally pinned it down...
sorry, BB, got rid of what I wrote before here
the only possibly useful thing I can add to the good advice already given, is to investigate things for yourself. Test the validity of sutras, test the validity of suttas. Find out if they help you to greater calm & clarity.
the only possibly useful thing I can add to the good advice already given, is to investigate things for yourself. Test the validity of sutras, test the validity of suttas. Find out if they help you to greater calm & clarity.
Last edited by manas on Wed Aug 08, 2012 1:59 am, edited 1 time in total.
To the Buddha-refuge i go; to the Dhamma-refuge i go; to the Sangha-refuge i go.
- Goofaholix
- Posts: 4024
- Joined: Sun Nov 15, 2009 3:49 am
- Location: New Zealand
Re: Finally pinned it down...
If you re-read your post you might notice you are basing your assessment on these approaches based on how they make you feel.
Sometimes feeling is all you have to go on but one thing that practise teaches us is that feelings come and go according to causes and conditions and are not a reliable guide, thought is the same in this respect.
Ultimately you don't have to choose, make the most of any opportunity to learn even if it comes from an off-brand source.
Sometimes feeling is all you have to go on but one thing that practise teaches us is that feelings come and go according to causes and conditions and are not a reliable guide, thought is the same in this respect.
Ultimately you don't have to choose, make the most of any opportunity to learn even if it comes from an off-brand source.
Pronouns (no self / not self)
“Peace is within oneself to be found in the same place as agitation and suffering. It is not found in a forest or on a hilltop, nor is it given by a teacher. Where you experience suffering, you can also find freedom from suffering. Trying to run away from suffering is actually to run toward it.”
― Ajahn Chah
“Peace is within oneself to be found in the same place as agitation and suffering. It is not found in a forest or on a hilltop, nor is it given by a teacher. Where you experience suffering, you can also find freedom from suffering. Trying to run away from suffering is actually to run toward it.”
― Ajahn Chah
- Beautiful Breath
- Posts: 162
- Joined: Sun May 03, 2009 10:25 am
- Location: South West England, UK
- Contact:
Re: Finally pinned it down...
Thanks all...its an ongoing thing for me. Possibly irreconcilable!
BB...
BB...