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**CDCL7WKJ** · 12-21-2011, 01:15 PM

Dear Sangha,

Do you think it is possible to follow more than one Buddhist tradition?

I meet up with a local Sangha (now and then) in Thich Nhat Hanh's tradition, and while I find his techings lovely and poetic (I suppose appealing to the heart), I am also very interested in the Forest Sangha and Theravada teachings, which appeal more to the 'head', so to speak.

Although there is some crossover, I feel a 'pick and mix' approach is stopping me from deeper learning, and I'm almost just playing at being a Buddhist What do you think?

Imo, whatever tradition you follow, it is important to get an idea of the earliest, documented teachings, which can be found in the sutta pitaka according to many scholars. Plus, the Vinaya, which contains disciplinary guidelines.

A good number of pali suttas still contain, without any gimmicks, what you need to know in order to practice. Once you read and understand some of them, you will see for yourself that this is true.

2500+ years have gone since the Buddha's death. Undoubtedly, a lot of things would have got added on to his teachings. We need to be aware of this fact. These later developments are based on cultural elements of the countries and regions the tradition flourished and also the meditative realizations and personalities of the teachers who promoted them. So, some traditions give more prominence to, as you said, lovely poetic rituals, some to the mystics, beliefs, personal realizations etc. For example, within the theravdha tradition itself, there are some sects which give more prominence to certain literature content like the abhidhamma. This is probably how traditions branch out and evolve.

Personally, I like the Theravadhic Thai forest tradition since its teachings focus a lot on pali suttas and encourage you to practice and verify the dhamma. Since you have shown an interest, I encourage you to look into it more.

12-21-2011, 01:15 PM	#7
CDCL7WKJ Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 472 Senior Member	Dear Sangha, Do you think it is possible to follow more than one Buddhist tradition? I meet up with a local Sangha (now and then) in Thich Nhat Hanh's tradition, and while I find his techings lovely and poetic (I suppose appealing to the heart), I am also very interested in the Forest Sangha and Theravada teachings, which appeal more to the 'head', so to speak. Although there is some crossover, I feel a 'pick and mix' approach is stopping me from deeper learning, and I'm almost just playing at being a Buddhist What do you think? Imo, whatever tradition you follow, it is important to get an idea of the earliest, documented teachings, which can be found in the sutta pitaka according to many scholars. Plus, the Vinaya, which contains disciplinary guidelines. A good number of pali suttas still contain, without any gimmicks, what you need to know in order to practice. Once you read and understand some of them, you will see for yourself that this is true. 2500+ years have gone since the Buddha's death. Undoubtedly, a lot of things would have got added on to his teachings. We need to be aware of this fact. These later developments are based on cultural elements of the countries and regions the tradition flourished and also the meditative realizations and personalities of the teachers who promoted them. So, some traditions give more prominence to, as you said, lovely poetic rituals, some to the mystics, beliefs, personal realizations etc. For example, within the theravdha tradition itself, there are some sects which give more prominence to certain literature content like the abhidhamma. This is probably how traditions branch out and evolve. Personally, I like the Theravadhic Thai forest tradition since its teachings focus a lot on pali suttas and encourage you to practice and verify the dhamma. Since you have shown an interest, I encourage you to look into it more.
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