I have read recently some of the teachings within the Korean Seon schools. The imply that their practices cut out a lot of talk and conjecture going straight to the core. They speak of Hwadu practices as being a direct path to Enlightenment. For those in here who are aware of this path I am curious why would you choose Theravada in the light of these claims?
Thanks for your answers
Why Theravada?
Re: Why Theravada?
Don't know
(Perhaps because Theras have Nikayas, which are for all Buddhists, from the Buddha's mouth, whereas in the other Tradition teacher usually needs lots of $$.
Could be the other way round too, like for some popular Thera Ajahn, don't know).
(Perhaps because Theras have Nikayas, which are for all Buddhists, from the Buddha's mouth, whereas in the other Tradition teacher usually needs lots of $$.
Could be the other way round too, like for some popular Thera Ajahn, don't know).
Re: Why Theravada?
Well, I didn't choose Theravada, I practice Seon (Zen). But I am not at all convinced that it's superior. Apart from a somewhat controversial difference in emphasis (concerning Bodhisattva vows) I think much hinges on the actual teacher and even more on the student. As far as teachers go, Thai Forest, for example, for me has many inspirational living teachers, whereas Seon has few English speaking teachers (apart from the Kwan Um school, which is a little different). So in a practical sense I'd say if you have a good Seon teacher nearby, go for it, and if you have a good Theravada teacher nearby, go for it, and if you have both, well, you are spoilt for choice! Explore both and see which one resonates more strongly.Myotai wrote:I have read recently some of the teachings within the Korean Seon schools. The imply that their practices cut out a lot of talk and conjecture going straight to the core. They speak of Hwadu practices as being a direct path to Enlightenment. For those in here who are aware of this path I am curious why would you choose Theravada in the light of these claims?
Thanks for your answers
Hwadu is a great practice but it is not for everyone. Like much of Zen, it is a steep path.
_/|\_
Re: Why Theravada?
Because the people who introduced me to Buddhism were in a Theravada tradition, and the Theravada monastery is a few minutes drive away. The practice brings benefits, and I don't think it would be useful for me to change. My mind is not closed to other traditions, but if it ain't broke...
Re: Why Theravada?
Dan74 wrote:Well, I didn't choose Theravada, I practice Seon (Zen). But I am not at all convinced that it's superior. Apart from a somewhat controversial difference in emphasis (concerning Bodhisattva vows) I think much hinges on the actual teacher and even more on the student. As far as teachers go, Thai Forest, for example, for me has many inspirational living teachers, whereas Seon has few English speaking teachers (apart from the Kwan Um school, which is a little different). So in a practical sense I'd say if you have a good Seon teacher nearby, go for it, and if you have a good Theravada teacher nearby, go for it, and if you have both, well, you are spoilt for choice! Explore both and see which one resonates more strongly.Myotai wrote:I have read recently some of the teachings within the Korean Seon schools. The imply that their practices cut out a lot of talk and conjecture going straight to the core. They speak of Hwadu practices as being a direct path to Enlightenment. For those in here who are aware of this path I am curious why would you choose Theravada in the light of these claims?
Thanks for your answers
Hwadu is a great practice but it is not for everyone. Like much of Zen, it is a steep path.
Thanks Dan,
Do you not think each tradition comes with a flavour of sorts though. Buddhism itself doesn't, I get that. But Zen has a definite taste of Japan/Korea/China and Theravada has a more gentle hint of Thailand etc... They seem extremely different to me. Might be wrong though but the aesthetic choice seems to be really important too.
Re: Why Theravada?
Also I think if I went to a buy a car and a salesman said this car is faster, much more efficient and will get you to your desitnation quicker than the rest....I'd buy that one!
- Hickersonia
- Posts: 264
- Joined: Fri Jan 06, 2012 1:40 pm
- Location: Cincinnati, OH
- Contact:
Re: Why Theravada?
The faster vehicle won't get anyone anywhere faster if the driver is stopped for speeding...Myotai wrote:Also I think if I went to a buy a car and a salesman said this car is faster, much more efficient and will get you to your desitnation quicker than the rest....I'd buy that one!
Hickersonia
http://hickersonia.wordpress.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
"Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of
throwing it at someone else; you are the one getting burned."
http://hickersonia.wordpress.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
"Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of
throwing it at someone else; you are the one getting burned."
Re: Why Theravada?
Hmmm...Hickersonia wrote:The faster vehicle won't get anyone anywhere faster if the driver is stopped for speeding...Myotai wrote:Also I think if I went to a buy a car and a salesman said this car is faster, much more efficient and will get you to your desitnation quicker than the rest....I'd buy that one!
Re: Why Theravada?
And you would be right to do so. But if you have a car that works (or have a lifestyle that means you don't need one - "Being nobody, going nowhere"?) then sales talk sounds unimpressive.Myotai wrote:Also I think if I went to a buy a car and a salesman said this car is faster, much more efficient and will get you to your desitnation quicker than the rest....I'd buy that one!
Re: Why Theravada?
Claims based upon what, exactly? I for one, want my Buddhism to trace it's teachings to the earliest record of what the Buddha actually taught. Which, by the way, was the standard the Buddha himself left to evaluate later Dhamma teachers.Myotai wrote:I have read recently some of the teachings within the Korean Seon schools. The imply that their practices cut out a lot of talk and conjecture going straight to the core. They speak of Hwadu practices as being a direct path to Enlightenment. For those in here who are aware of this path I am curious why would you choose Theravada in the light of these claims?
Thanks for your answers
"When one thing is practiced & pursued, ignorance is abandoned, clear knowing arises, the conceit 'I am' is abandoned, latent tendencies are uprooted, fetters are abandoned. Which one thing? Mindfulness immersed in the body." -AN 1.230
Re: Why Theravada?
I am not an apologist for these other schools. I am just reitterating what they say.
Regarding the Buddhas 'original' teachings, don't things move on? Can teachings be elaborated or embelished?
Thanks
Regarding the Buddhas 'original' teachings, don't things move on? Can teachings be elaborated or embelished?
Thanks
-
- Posts: 939
- Joined: Thu Dec 31, 2009 10:41 pm
Re: Why Theravada?
I live in NYC. I enjoy walking and using subways.Myotai wrote:Also I think if I went to a buy a car and a salesman said this car is faster, much more efficient and will get you to your desitnation quicker than the rest....I'd buy that one!
Re: Why Theravada?
My primary attraction to Theravada is its gradual, methodological approach to creating change in the practitioner over an emphasis on the provocation of a sudden realization of dissatisfyingly ambiguous meaning and consequence.
Last edited by Viscid on Wed Sep 25, 2013 6:28 pm, edited 1 time in total.
"What holds attention determines action." - William James
Re: Why Theravada?
.
Interesting question. Thank you so much.
It made me stop and thinking, what am I doing and why am I here.
.
Interesting question. Thank you so much.
It made me stop and thinking, what am I doing and why am I here.
.
Re: Why Theravada?
Choosing a path always has to be a bit subjective. We don't yet live in a world where there are peer-reviewed outcome studies for every possible tradition and lineage.