Different strokes....

[Myotai]

Do you think that temperament should dictate what your practice is?

I know people who are quite maverick in their approach to life that fit in well with Zen. Others that are really very gentle folk that sit well in Theravada.

...or am I projecting?

Tony...

[Bhikkhu Pesala]

There's quite a lot in the Visuddhimagga about choosing a teacher, residence, and practice to suit your temperament.

It does matter — though there is general advice that is beneficial for all types, such as “Be mindful,” “Be kind,” the Buddha taught individuals differently according to their abilities and temperaments.

[Myotai]

Thanks, I ask because I wonder how much ego is involved in this choosing. I have toyed with the idea that for the more maverick types the Theravada would help calm that vigour down. Similarly for the more gentle contingents a more stiff Rinzai approach to wake up the kind from any potential for relaxing too much into the 'cave of empty ghosts' as I believe the Ch'an practitioners call it...

[Dan74]

Thanks, I ask because I wonder how much ego is involved in this choosing. I have toyed with the idea that for the more maverick types the Theravada would help calm that vigour down. Similarly for the more gentle contingents a more stiff Rinzai approach to wake up the kind from any potential for relaxing too much into the 'cave of empty ghosts' as I believe the Ch'an practitioners call it...

As a broad generalisation, this may make sense, but I would wager that many skillful teachers in all traditions, have more than one approach depending on the temperament. If you read http://www.amazon.com/Novice-Master-Ong ... 0861713931 you'll see that a good Rinzai teacher is not a one-trick pony.

[Mkoll]

Temperament may influence what Buddhist tradition one is drawn to. But like Ven. Pesala said, there are general guidelines that are difficult enough to fulfill just by themselves. Even if they're "simple" in theory.