If there was no Theravada, which tradition would you pick?
If there was no Theravada, which tradition would you pick?
Just curious which tradition would you guys have pick if there was no Theravada.
Re: If there was no Theravada, which tradition would you pick?
Any "tradition" which respects and encourages us to practice the Noble Eightfold Path would be acceptable.Dugu wrote:Just curious which tradition would you guys have pick if there was no Theravada.
... the Blessed One said, "In any doctrine & discipline where the noble eightfold path is not found, no contemplative of the first... second... third... fourth order [stream-winner, once-returner, non-returner, or arahant] is found. But in any doctrine & discipline where the noble eightfold path is found, contemplatives of the first... second... third... fourth order are found. The noble eightfold path is found in this doctrine & discipline, and right here there are contemplatives of the first... second... third... fourth order. Other teachings are empty of knowledgeable contemplatives. And if the monks dwell rightly, this world will not be empty of arahants."
(Mahaparinibbana Sutta, DN 16, trans. Bhikkhu Thanissaro)
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- retrofuturist
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Re: If there was no Theravada, which tradition would you pick?
Greetings,
(Old school) Ch'an or Zen.
Metta,
Retro.
(Old school) Ch'an or Zen.
Metta,
Retro.
"Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."
- jcsuperstar
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Re: If there was no Theravada, which tradition would you pick?
i started in zen, and was quite happy there, i only ended up in theravada because i had a ticket to thailand and decided to use my time there visiting and living in temples... so if no theravada then it'd still be zen
สัพเพ สัตตา สุขีตา โหนตุ
the mountain may be heavy in and of itself, but if you're not trying to carry it it's not heavy to you- Ajaan Suwat
the mountain may be heavy in and of itself, but if you're not trying to carry it it's not heavy to you- Ajaan Suwat
Re: If there was no Theravada, which tradition would you pick?
Well, I am not "officially" Theravadin (yet), but I will give my opinion anyway.
Probably Tibetan or Shingon. Vajrayana seems to have quite an array of meditative practices, both samatha and vipassana, which appeal to me more than the single practice methods of Chan/Zen or the pure devotionalism of Pure Land/Nichiren. I must admit that I also find the rituals, philosophy and theories behind tantric practice pretty captivating.
Probably Tibetan or Shingon. Vajrayana seems to have quite an array of meditative practices, both samatha and vipassana, which appeal to me more than the single practice methods of Chan/Zen or the pure devotionalism of Pure Land/Nichiren. I must admit that I also find the rituals, philosophy and theories behind tantric practice pretty captivating.
I do not want my house to be walled in on sides and my windows to be stuffed. I want the cultures of all the lands to be blown about my house as freely as possible. But I refuse to be blown off my feet by any.- Gandhi
With persistence aroused for the highest goal's attainment, with mind unsmeared, not lazy in action, firm in effort, with steadfastness & strength arisen, wander alone like a rhinoceros.
Not neglecting seclusion, absorption, constantly living the Dhamma in line with the Dhamma, comprehending the danger in states of becoming, wander alone like a rhinoceros.- Snp. 1.3
With persistence aroused for the highest goal's attainment, with mind unsmeared, not lazy in action, firm in effort, with steadfastness & strength arisen, wander alone like a rhinoceros.
Not neglecting seclusion, absorption, constantly living the Dhamma in line with the Dhamma, comprehending the danger in states of becoming, wander alone like a rhinoceros.- Snp. 1.3
- tiltbillings
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Re: If there was no Theravada, which tradition would you pick?
Sautrāntika
>> 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: If there was no Theravada, which tradition would you pick?
How long were you in Zen? And what was it about Theravada that made you switch?jcsuperstar wrote:i started in zen, and was quite happy there, i only ended up in theravada because i had a ticket to thailand and decided to use my time there visiting and living in temples... so if no theravada then it'd still be zen
- pink_trike
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Re: If there was no Theravada, which tradition would you pick?
Tibetan Bon Dzogchen.
Vision is Mind
Mind is Empty
Emptiness is Clear Light
Clear Light is Union
Union is Great Bliss
- Dawa Gyaltsen
---
Disclaimer: I'm a non-religious practitioner of Theravada, Mahayana/Vajrayana, and Tibetan Bon Dzogchen mind-training.
Mind is Empty
Emptiness is Clear Light
Clear Light is Union
Union is Great Bliss
- Dawa Gyaltsen
---
Disclaimer: I'm a non-religious practitioner of Theravada, Mahayana/Vajrayana, and Tibetan Bon Dzogchen mind-training.
Re: If there was no Theravada, which tradition would you pick?
Anyrhing with a strong focus on the teachings with no frills.
Rituals and guru "worship" are a bit of a turnoff for me.
Rituals and guru "worship" are a bit of a turnoff for me.
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Re: If there was no Theravada, which tradition would you pick?
Heedless hedonism.
If there was no Theravada I wouldnt bother. For me its the only logical coherent approach to life.
I am aware that other alternatives are on offer.
If there was no Theravada I wouldnt bother. For me its the only logical coherent approach to life.
I am aware that other alternatives are on offer.
The going for refuge is the door of entrance to the teachings of the Buddha.
Bhikku Bodhi.
Bhikku Bodhi.
Re: If there was no Theravada, which tradition would you pick?
I would have remained an ardent practising Christian (Anglican).
---The trouble is that you think you have time---
---Worry is the Interest, paid in advance, on a debt you may never owe---
---It's not what happens to you in life that is important ~ it's what you do with it ---
---Worry is the Interest, paid in advance, on a debt you may never owe---
---It's not what happens to you in life that is important ~ it's what you do with it ---
Re: If there was no Theravada, which tradition would you pick?
Sometimes I feel like I'm a hedonist trying my best to be Theravadan. So the other tradition does not appeal to you?Sanghamitta wrote:Heedless hedonism.
If there was no Theravada I wouldnt bother. For me its the only logical coherent approach to life.
I am aware that other alternatives are on offer.
Re: If there was no Theravada, which tradition would you pick?
"For a disciple who has conviction in the Teacher's message & lives to penetrate it, what accords with the Dhamma is this:
'The Blessed One is the Teacher, I am a disciple. He is the one who knows, not I." - MN. 70 Kitagiri Sutta
Path Press - Ñāṇavīra Thera Dhamma Page - Ajahn Nyanamoli's Dhamma talks
'The Blessed One is the Teacher, I am a disciple. He is the one who knows, not I." - MN. 70 Kitagiri Sutta
Path Press - Ñāṇavīra Thera Dhamma Page - Ajahn Nyanamoli's Dhamma talks
- tiltbillings
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Re: If there was no Theravada, which tradition would you pick?
A good, accurate description can be found in R Gethin's FOUNDATION OF BUDDHISM.
>> 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: If there was no Theravada, which tradition would you pick?
Really Chris? That's interesting. I just assume everyone would pick a different Buddhist Tradition.Chris wrote:I would have remained an ardent practising Christian (Anglican).