As opposed to....a practitioner/meditator?Saengnapha wrote: ↑Fri Jun 08, 2018 1:13 pmYes, for an intellectual or scholar.Dinsdale wrote: ↑Fri Jun 08, 2018 9:47 amI think it's useful to develop a sense of the bigger picture. Comparing and contrasting the different assumptions and practices across Buddhist schools can be very illuminating.KiwiNFLFan wrote: ↑Tue May 29, 2018 8:50 pm What is your view on reading books by authors of the Mahayana tradition, like Thich Nhat Hanh or others? Helpful? Not helpful? Confusing?
I disagree. As a practitioner, melding ideas on anicca, sunyata, anatta, "mu," etc. has been very helpful to my practice. Additionally, contrasting/comparing the Soto Zen concept of shikantaza with jhana practice likewise is helpful to how approach my sitting practice. Sure, it takes more contemplation and study than, say, simply taking meditation direction from an Ajahn and leaving it at that, but different strokes