Do you attend an offline Buddhist Centre ?

Hi Samana,

Thank you for the advice. What I am really liking though is the strong emphasis on meditation. I've been meditating (on and off) for 30 years without any real background or instruction. Also, the people in the group are very friendly, considerate and helpful.

Wishes of joy and happiness,
Cal

[Samana]

Originally Posted by Cal

Hi Samana,

Thank you for the advice. What I am really liking though is the strong emphasis on meditation. I've been meditating (on and off) for 30 years without any real background or instruction. Also, the people in the group are very friendly, considerate and helpful.

Wishes of joy and happiness,
Cal

That sounds very positive, Cal. I hope everything that you experience there is of benefit to your understanding and practice on the path.

with metta,

Samana

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I think Samana some of your comments themselves show a prejudice towards theravada. I have been part of a vajrayana centre for over 10 years and have never been told that vajrayana is superior to theravada/hinayana.... The Buddha gave 84,000 teachings and we can all find something in there somewhere... The Buddha emphazised the need to benefit people... not all people can approach the dharma through a theravada approach and may be able to benefit from mahayana or vajrayana. But whatever approach you take you have to have the foundation of refuge in the three jewels... then the actual practice then a dedication of practice to benefit beings. This is then a complete approach, regardless of the label.

[Samana]

Originally Posted by philji

I think Samana some of your comments themselves show a prejudice towards theravada. I have been part of a vajrayana centre for over 10 years and have never been told that vajrayana is superior to theravada/hinayana.... The Buddha gave 84,000 teachings and we can all find something in there somewhere... The Buddha emphazised the need to benefit people... not all people can approach the dharma through a theravada approach and may be able to benefit from mahayana or vajrayana. But whatever approach you take you have to have the foundation of refuge in the three jewels... then the actual practice then a dedication of practice to benefit beings. This is then a complete approach, regardless of the label.

That's great if you like Vajrayana. Before you start judging me, I was involved with it for 20 years offline, so I'm not speaking from a prejudice towards Theravada, I'm speaking from my own direct experience of Tibetan Buddhism and its practices over a long period of time. I also didn't become involved with Theravada immediately I left TB.


_/\_

[Samana]

I wasn't able to delete this message - is there no delete facility available ?






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Hi Samana, i mean no harm but it seems that everytime someone mentions vajrayana you jump in with a quote about theravada v vajrayana. I hope i asm not judging you, simply referring to your comments. People will naturally be drawn to the teachings of the Buddha that work for them. I hope you are well.

[Samana]

People will naturally be drawn to the teachings of the Buddha that work for them.

Hi,

Not necessarily. People offline can sometimes not even be aware that there are choices available to them if they have jobs and busy lives, they go to whichever Buddhist centre is nearest and most convenient.

I hope you are well too.

May all beings have peace and happiness

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