DiscussWorldIssues - Socio-Economic Religion and Political Uncensored Debate - View Single Post

**ViagraFeller** · 05-11-2012, 09:37 AM

(1) Is Theravada a good first choice?

I'd choose whatever tradition or practice style that has a local group you can join and feel comfortable with, or that has teachers whose teachings you've read make sense to you.

(2) Did Buddha address the lay people much?

In a lot of passages he begins by addressing monks but I understand this is because the culture was to address the most respected persons present at the time. Some teachings are only relevant to noks but most are relevant to both.

(3) The raft story in the sticky. Does it mean even good ideas should not be held too long?

I'm not sure which sticky but I assume this is the story about discarding the raft after you've reached the other side of the river. It means that Buddhism is just a raft to get you to the other side, once you've got there let go of Buddhism, Buddhism is a means to an end not an end in itself.

05-11-2012, 09:37 AM	#4
ViagraFeller Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 585 Senior Member	(1) Is Theravada a good first choice? I'd choose whatever tradition or practice style that has a local group you can join and feel comfortable with, or that has teachers whose teachings you've read make sense to you. (2) Did Buddha address the lay people much? In a lot of passages he begins by addressing monks but I understand this is because the culture was to address the most respected persons present at the time. Some teachings are only relevant to noks but most are relevant to both. (3) The raft story in the sticky. Does it mean even good ideas should not be held too long? I'm not sure which sticky but I assume this is the story about discarding the raft after you've reached the other side of the river. It means that Buddhism is just a raft to get you to the other side, once you've got there let go of Buddhism, Buddhism is a means to an end not an end in itself.
	Quote