Any Theravada sects/groups that you wouldn't recommend to someone?

[Padmist]

When recommending a Theravada community/temple/center, are there groups that you wouldn't recommend to someone? Either they have fringe beliefs or have bad/political ties, etc. Any group I should be wary of?

[Bhikkhu Pesala]

Be wary of all of them. Take yourself as your refuge, take no other refuge. Take the Dhamma as your refuge, take no other refuge.

If you study carefully, reflect wisely, and practise seriously, you will not listen to gossip or hearsay about this or that teacher or group, but make up your own mind after careful investigation of what they teach, and how they practice.

When my supporters offer me a carton of strawberries or blueberries, If I scoff them all unmindfully, I might eat one or two that are rotten. However, if I eat mindfully, as I should, I can remove the rotten ones and eat only the good ones. If they offer me pitted dates or prunes, I may break my teeth on an occasional stone. It is my duty to take care. I should not blame my supporters or the supermarket for including some fruits with stones. The label on the packaging warns me that there might be some stones remaining.

[Coëmgenu]

Wat Phra Dhammakaya

[SarathW]

When recommending a Theravada community/temple/center, are there groups that you wouldn't recommend to someone? Either they have fringe beliefs or have bad/political ties, etc. Any group I should be wary of?

As Bhiiku Pesala suggests, the safest way is for you to read and understand Sutta as this is the ultimate source we has believed to be Buddha's word.
Some people even question the validity of Sutta.
So at least you have some faith in Tipitaka to start with your exploration.
Then practice what you read in Sutta and know what is right and wrong.

[Mr. Seek]

Be wary of all of them. Take yourself as your refuge, take no other refuge. Take the Dhamma as your refuge, take no other refuge.

+1

"Taking refuge means becoming a refugee" - CTR

[mikenz66]

Hi Bhante,

When my supporters offer me a carton of strawberries or blueberries, If I scoff them all unmindfully, I might eat one or two that are rotten. However, if I eat mindfully, as I should, I can remove the rotten ones and eat only the good ones.

This is an excellent simile. The converse (that sadly we often see on Forums such as this) is never eating any strawberries, because some are rumoured to be rotten, and going hungry...

Monasteries, and individual monastics, are not perfect. It's essential to realise that. But using that as an excuse to avoid any engagement would mean missing out on many opportunities.


Mike

[Ceisiwr]

Dhammakaya

[retrofuturist]

Greetings,

Dhammakaya

Agreed. Anywhere that holds and teaches Wrong View is to be avoided.

Per Bhikkhu Pesala's post, taking refuge in the Dhamma and studying the Buddha's discourses provides protection against wrongness.

Metta,
Paul.

[robertk]

Be wary of all of them. Take yourself as your refuge, take no other refuge. Take the Dhamma as your refuge, take no other refuge.

If you study carefully, reflect wisely, and practise seriously, you will not listen to gossip or hearsay about this or that teacher or group, but make up your own mind after careful investigation of what they teach, and how they practice.

When my supporters offer me a carton of strawberries or blueberries, If I scoff them all unmindfully, I might eat one or two that are rotten. However, if I eat mindfully, as I should, I can remove the rotten ones and eat only the good ones. If they offer me pitted dates or prunes, I may break my teeth on an occasional stone. It is my duty to take care. I should not blame my supporters or the supermarket for including some fruits with stones. The label on the packaging warns me that there might be some stones remaining.

[SarathW]

Hi Bhante,

When my supporters offer me a carton of strawberries or blueberries, If I scoff them all unmindfully, I might eat one or two that are rotten. However, if I eat mindfully, as I should, I can remove the rotten ones and eat only the good ones.

This is an excellent simile. The converse (that sadly we often see on Forums such as this) is never eating any strawberries, because some are rumoured to be rotten, and going hungry...

Monasteries, and individual monastics, are not perfect. It's essential to realise that. But using that as an excuse to avoid any engagement would mean missing out on many opportunities.


Mike

Agree. I think this applicable for any teaching including Abrahamic religions and Hinduism.
We must be able to chose the good strawberry from the bad.

[asahi]

Probably which ever teaches wrong view such as secular buddhism .

[TRobinson465]

As Buddhism encourages direct experience and investigation, i dont really discourage anyone from trying anything. Just be weary and if you find anything concerning just leave. I am not aware of any Buddhist groups that dont let people leave anytime they want.

[Sabbe_Dhamma_Anatta]

Probably which ever teaches wrong view such as secular buddhism .

Some secular buddhisms are not necessarily wrong, imo, they are just incomplete. On the other hand, teaching incomplete views as the ultimate approach to Buddha's teachings is Wrong, of course.

[Gwi]

When recommending a Theravada community/temple/center, are there groups that you wouldn't recommend to someone? Either they have fringe beliefs or have bad/political ties, etc. Any group I should be wary of?

Secularism destroys all religions.
Mixed Theravādå should be left out
(don't mix it up).

When in Theravādå community,
Just talking about Dhammå
(Suttantå and Abhidhammå)
And the Vinayå, if they don't fit,
and there are a lot of inconsistencies,
you can move.

[confusedlayman]

practice sutta... that gives u result