Why Theravada?

A discussion on all aspects of Theravāda Buddhism
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Myotai
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Why Theravada?

Post by Myotai »

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
nibbuti
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Re: Why Theravada?

Post by nibbuti »

Don't know

:smile:

(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).

:pig:
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Dan74
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Re: Why Theravada?

Post by Dan74 »

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
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.

Hwadu is a great practice but it is not for everyone. Like much of Zen, it is a steep path.
_/|\_
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Sam Vara
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Re: Why Theravada?

Post by Sam Vara »

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...
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Myotai
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Re: Why Theravada?

Post by Myotai »

Dan74 wrote:
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
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.

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.
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Myotai
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Re: Why Theravada?

Post by Myotai »

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! :woohoo:
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Re: Why Theravada?

Post by Hickersonia »

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! :woohoo:
The faster vehicle won't get anyone anywhere faster if the driver is stopped for speeding... :anjali:
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Myotai
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Re: Why Theravada?

Post by Myotai »

Hickersonia wrote:
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! :woohoo:
The faster vehicle won't get anyone anywhere faster if the driver is stopped for speeding... :anjali:
Hmmm...
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Sam Vara
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Re: Why Theravada?

Post by Sam Vara »

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! :woohoo:
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.
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Re: Why Theravada?

Post by kirk5a »

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
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.
"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
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Myotai
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Re: Why Theravada?

Post by Myotai »

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?

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beeblebrox
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Re: Why Theravada?

Post by beeblebrox »

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!
I live in NYC. I enjoy walking and using subways.

:anjali:
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Viscid
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Re: Why Theravada?

Post by Viscid »

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.
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PimonratC
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Re: Why Theravada?

Post by PimonratC »

.

Interesting question. Thank you so much.
It made me stop and thinking, what am I doing and why am I here.

.
Derek
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Re: Why Theravada?

Post by Derek »

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.
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