DiscussWorldIssues - Socio-Economic Religion and Political Uncensored Debate - View Single Post - Why does Theravada seem to be a patchwork quilt of Dhamma?

**JohnMaltczevitch** · 05-29-2012, 06:30 AM

Hi Stefos! I'm a Theravada practitioner and follower of Ajahn Chah of the Thai Forest Tradition. I don't know if you're familiar with his teachings, but if you're not I highly recommend them, particularly for their simplicity. In my own practice of about 10 years I have often created much unnecessary suffering for myself by trying to incorporate too many things, sometimes even mixing different sects! This is a karmic flaw that I must constantly guard against, as my "small mind" readily uses it against me. So I definitely advise "less is better" in most situations. My practice now is so much simpler and easier after having eliminated all the nonessentials. Hope this helps and Happy Cultivating, Tom

Hi Tom,

I've seen something interesting in Theravada circles and Zen/Ch'an/Dzogchen circles:

It seems that the closer the teachings are/were to Indian Buddhism, the more "integrity" morality, wisdom and meditation teachings are and have.

In America, this seems to be the case also: Sticking close to original Buddhist branches of teaching rather than "making Dhamma-Vinaya up as we go", as I've seen in some of what I would term "Buddhist cults" is a quite the rare thing here.

Regards sir,
Stefos

05-29-2012, 06:30 AM	#18
JohnMaltczevitch Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 530 Senior Member	Hi Stefos! I'm a Theravada practitioner and follower of Ajahn Chah of the Thai Forest Tradition. I don't know if you're familiar with his teachings, but if you're not I highly recommend them, particularly for their simplicity. In my own practice of about 10 years I have often created much unnecessary suffering for myself by trying to incorporate too many things, sometimes even mixing different sects! This is a karmic flaw that I must constantly guard against, as my "small mind" readily uses it against me. So I definitely advise "less is better" in most situations. My practice now is so much simpler and easier after having eliminated all the nonessentials. Hope this helps and Happy Cultivating, Tom Hi Tom, I've seen something interesting in Theravada circles and Zen/Ch'an/Dzogchen circles: It seems that the closer the teachings are/were to Indian Buddhism, the more "integrity" morality, wisdom and meditation teachings are and have. In America, this seems to be the case also: Sticking close to original Buddhist branches of teaching rather than "making Dhamma-Vinaya up as we go", as I've seen in some of what I would term "Buddhist cults" is a quite the rare thing here. Regards sir, Stefos
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