Let's learn Buddhism together

[sky]

Originally Posted by jonesboy

Doesn't mean he speaks for all of Zen does it.

Does he speak for all of Zen ...... well you could say his love and compassion speaks for all..

[naturesflow]

Originally Posted by jonesboy

This is very important and I bet we will see this again.



In another words the Buddha would teach different things to different people. Higher teachings for those ready for them and basic teachings for those just starting out.

What did you mean was important? What part of what I shared?

And by "seeing it again" what did you mean exactly?

Adjusting to meet the needs of the one open and ready to explore and learn, plays a role in lots of ways of life and people as they are. So I guess in what your sharing about the variation of teachings, kind of relates in the same way. People can only comprehend what they are open and ready to explore and often what interests them in this way..

There is a natural awareness that can be understood in this way of relating to others, where you are naturally "in tune" rather than trying to play the tune so others take notice and then you find out they are not really interested or listening. That discernment considers much in relation to others and where they are, not my knowledge, awareness or what I think they might need. The need is more discerned through deeper reflective listening of the whole movements moving through the dynamics of the one or the whole group. Buddha obviously didn't mind stepping down from his own knowledge/platform to give back but then I suspect he was gaining deeper insights through the whole sharing in reflection of all that teaching because that is all part of the self awareness trials and deepening insights..

So even as you set up a OP I suspect you too and others would be aware in all that, that much can be gained just by being open and not pushing up against your idea to engage as per the way you requested, but letting everything through the connections come into a shared space, of deepening the insights or wisdom ongoing.

So fire away..

[Gem]

Originally Posted by sky123

My comments are not negative, I am just pointing out that what you are saying about all schools teaching the same is wrong when it's obvious they don't. I have had direct experience.

All the best.

Yes, one school will teach things that directly contradict what another school teaches.

[Gem]

Originally Posted by sky123

I don't need to notice.... different schools interpret teaching differently, I have had direct experience of this, you obviously haven't as your understanding comes from the internet.

Of course the teachings are interpreted in various ways, and different schools also place more emphasis on different texts.

[sky]

Originally Posted by Gem

Yes, one school will teach things that directly contradict what another school teaches.

I have had experience of this Gem. I won't name the Sangha I frequently attended for quite awhile but it was ' Tibetan ' I met some beautiful people there but after a while I realized that what they were teaching had definately not come from the Buddha. It nearly put me off Buddhism but I was lucky to be able to put it behind me and move on to find more valuable teachings. Thinking back on my experience I would use the word ' Cult ' rather than Sangha.

[Gem]

Originally Posted by sky123

That's an interesting list, it does show some of the differences, how can we all see things exactly the same, it's impossible. I have found difference in the major schools so when you start to look how many other smaller sections that are all over the world it's obvious to find differences. I find it adds flavour to Buddhism instead of every single school tasting the same

Haha funny cuz I said 'flavours' too.

[sky]

Originally Posted by Gem

Haha funny cuz I said 'flavours' too.

Looks like we both enjoy flavours instead of bland

[Gem]

Originally Posted by sky123

I have had experience of this Gem. I won't name the Sangha I frequently attended for quite awhile but it was ' Tibetan ' I met some beautiful people there but after a while I realized that what they were teaching had definately not come from the Buddha. It nearly put me off Buddhism but I was lucky to be able to put it behind me and move on to find more valuable teachings. Thinking back on my experience I would use the word ' Cult ' rather than Sangha.

yea, I don't get the 'Tibetan stuff' - and I've sat in with some the Buddhist groups in Sydney here that I found a bit 'left of centre'. The school I eventually became involved in the Sangha was all about the Satipatthana, vipassana insight meditation, and teachings related to the practice... and that's all I know about - in a lived experience way.,, though aspects of it were kinda cult-like, too.

[sky]

Originally Posted by Gem

yea, I don't get the 'Tibetan stuff' - and I've sat in with some the Buddhist groups in Sydney here that I found a bit 'left of centre'. The school I eventually became involved in the Sangha was all about the Satipatthana, vipassana insight meditation, and teachings related to the practice... and that's all I know about - in a lived experience way.,, though aspects of it were kinda cult-like, too.

There are no other Sanghas in my City so I have to try and go it alone now, but I prefer it that way than listening to the nonsense they teach. We can but try

[Gem]

Originally Posted by sky123

There are no other Sanghas in my City so I have to try and go it alone now, but I prefer it that way than listening to the nonsense they teach. We can but try

x

Yep, one thing I learned from this life is never lose that free thinking to the standards of tradition. There is a lot of pressure in a Sangha to conform, and a lot of pressure from society as well, but really, to be yourself in the way that you are is what this consciousness is, and spirituality is fundamentally the truth of yourself, the path of ongoing self discovery. It's a very honest way of living.