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I was just a bit surprised about the length of the retreat. The ones that I have heard of are usually from a week to one month. I'm getting married next year so the idea of joining a 3-year retreat is kind of remote right now

KTC does offer some Retreats that are over a weekend or so for lay practioners. Rinpoche has maintained the 3 year Retreat for those people who wish to become Ordained because of the long history in Tibet of it having been done in that way to insure that the practices and Teachings are correctly learned.

Some people do choose to return to a lay life after Retreat and bring the Dharma to others in a more secular way while others go for full ordanation.

[tarmpriopay]

KTC does offer some Retreats that are over a weekend or so for lay practioners. Rinpoche has maintained the 3 year Retreat for those people who wish to become Ordained because of the long history in Tibet of it having been done in that way to insure that the practices and Teachings are correctly learned.

Some people do choose to return to a lay life after Retreat and bring the Dharma to others in a more secular way while others go for full ordanation.

It's too bad I live so far from New York. I wanted to join a retreat in the past, but didn't really make a real effort to join one. It would be a good experience.

[greekbeast]

...I was able to stop random thoughts and experience peaceful state of mind (I did have two interesting experiences while meditating, but I think I should just keep it to myself).

As for meditation practice at night, I try to calm my mind and reason with random thoughts until they disappear completely. I'm aware that there are many Buddhist practices and curious about the practices of other members here. Please share. Thanks

I just wanted to mention that having no thoughts is not one of the goals of Buddhist meditation. Yes we calm the mind, but the "no thoughts" thing is a misconception that a lot of people have just getting into buddhism. It does happen to be a goal of Hinduism, and because we tend to mix up anything Eastern, it easily gets into the mix.

The Buddhist goal regarding thoughts is to have them, but to not take them seriously. The great yogi Milarpa said, something like (just paraphrasing) "what are a few trees compared to the mountain, and what are a few clouds compared to the radiant sky?" Something like that.

Point is, you shouldn't be enslaved by thoughts, but trying to do away with them is off track. In other words take it easy - relax.

I personally do prostrations in the morning; (I finished ngondro about 8 years ago) and a guru yoga in the evening. There are also practices for different occasions (medicine buddha etc). Most important though is to find a teacher that you trust, and get a genuine transmission for the practices. Hinayana and Mahayana can be self taught, but not Vajrayana - only mentioning this because the conversation was steered towards Kagyu.

[Enalsebeerkawl]

Thanks for the tip about thoughts Willy, I'll not worry to much about thinking. I hope I'm not speaking out of turn but Hinayana is generally considered a pejorative term, I thought Hinayana was a very ancient form of Buddhism now lost to us at least that was what I was told by a Dzogchen practitioner of my accquaintance whose scholarship I find amongst the best.

I think Aloka has posted this link before but I'll repost it.

The Myth of Hinayana.

http://www.lienet.no/hinayan1.htm

Not that I thought you were dissing Theravada its just that Hinayana is term people find a little bit of a put down.

I can be a little insecure sometimes so I hope you don't think I'm having a go at you - your posts so far seem very intelligent and helpful.

[popsicesHoupe]

Yes, 'Hinayana' meaning 'lesser' or 'inferior' can be used to describe the Theravada path, whilst Vajrayana still uses 'greater' and 'faster path' to describe itself.

I can say without being sectarian, that having been a Vajrayana practitioner myself for 20 years before changing to the Theravada Forest tradition, that such an idea is nonsense !

[Obsententicab]

[cheaploans]

I will comment on the use of the term "Hinayana."

I still think it is a problem of symantec's and wording, but one teacher from the Sakya lineage preferred to translate it as "root vehicle". It was actually part of a teaching in which he discussed that especially for one who considers themselves a Mahayana practitioner it is nonsense to look upon this term with anything other than the highest respect. A tree needs a strong root, and many miss the point that this kind of foundation is very important.

Case in point, even monks in the Tibetan lineages must first and foremost take the "individual liberation vow"- which comes from the "so-called" Hinayana. In a text of a teaching given by a prominent Gelug lama in the 20's, he clearly lays out why it is considered "disparaging the teachings" to have a narrow view of the "so-called" Hinayana. I would like to take the time to find it and then post it here. It may clarify things for some people.

In his Madhyamakavatara, Chandrakirti even holds the Arhat in a higher view than one who has not yet achieved (I think) the seventh Bodhisattva level (Bhumi).

Unfortunately for a lot of Mahayana practitioners, they tend to separate the vehicles- one being better then the other for example, and this is not good. But I have seen the reverse on numerous occasions too. On both sides of the coin, I always try to remind and promote a better attitude towards all traditions and vehicles.

I think the more we ingrain our own beliefs and judgements, the further away we are from our goal as Buddhists...



Terma

[eskimosik]

@Terma - thank you very much for that wonderful and clarifying post.

[neotheMit]

I think the more we ingrain our own beliefs and judgements, the further away we are from our goal as Buddhists...

Sure - but then I wonder if that might also include that one is meant to just turn a blind eye to wrong-doing because its done by the establishment? Its possible that one can be told that one mustn't criticise teachers because they're 'holy' and its just one's own imperfect 'beliefs and judgements' getting in the way !

Anyway, as this thread is in the Beginners forum and was meant for members of all traditions to discuss their daily practice, I think we've gone right off topic and so further comments on 'Hinayana' would be better in a different thread elsewhere now, please.

Please note - Our moderator Kaarine has already asked we return to topic in #26

Many thanks

[pobrierce]

Perhaps the statement that I made was misunderstood a little bit. maybe another thread someplace else would be a better way to discuss it.

Sorry...Yes, let's keep the discussion here based on the original intention of this thread.

Terma

[GSgCGxsF]

Great,

Someone else might want to share about their daily practice of Buddhism?

[HomePageOEMfreeSOFTWARE]

hi...
i'm new to buddhism and my daily practice consists of reading the book 'being nobody, going nowhere'...
also viewing different buddhist websites and videos with the intention of getting a firm foundation from which to explore different paths
i attempt to be mindful throughout the day and try to cultivate loving kindness toward all...
however it is much easier to do with loved ones than coworkers...i have far to travel along the loving kindness path
my meditation is short and erratic at best...it formally begins in the car with the seat reclined before heading off to work...5 maybe 10 minutes at most...
the more i learn the more i intend to focus on meditating
this is a wonderful website and the only one i make time for posting...thanks everyone

[Beerinkol]

i have far to travel along the loving kindness path
my meditation is short and erratic at best... [...]

the more i learn the more i intend to focus on meditating
this is a wonderful website and the only one i make time for posting...thanks everyone

Hi letting go,

You are not alone. I recently started to explore the early teachings. Because being here that was started. The suttas are now the main source of practice. In them, there is something unique and special. That is why I have taken as a support some of the teachings of the Thai Forest Tradition. They go hand in hand with those early teachings.

To observe the precepts, to do Breathing meditation early in the morning or late at noon and a insightful study of the suttas trying to bring all this learnings into daily life... which, by the way, has not been easy, even when it is all I do. But the joy and contentment found in the suttas keeps the practice on.

[janeseymore09092]

i am looking forward to when i remember to slow down...focus on the breath and not be thrown about by what's going on externally
on average i'm on my feet for an 11 hour workday at a very stressful job...which in retrospect helped push me to find a way to deal with the stress and that has led to buddhism
even my pitiful and sometimes halfhearted attempt at practice does have very positive outcomes...it does strongly encourage me to pursue a more dedicated practice
i do find joy and contentment in following the buddhist path...

[ayWCZ7VT]

I don't really have a daily practice. It's all quite spontaneous. I do feel that I could maybe benefit from a bit more structure, more of a routine.

[Siliespiriulk]

Thanks for the tip about thoughts Willy, I'll not worry to much about thinking. I hope I'm not speaking out of turn but Hinayana is generally considered a pejorative term...

This is exactly the reason I joined this forum - to get a different perspective. So thank you for this information.

[mosypeSom]

For me The Noble Eightfold Path is the practice, it sounds maybe a little bit simple, but it is the way The Buddha told us to practice, and let it be your guide throughout the day.

Right view: It will be faith in the beginning, and then during your practice you will experience for your self that, what The Buddha taught is the truth. Then your faith will gradually change to right view.

Right intention: Have wholesome thoughts as often as possible, because intention is the forerunner for action. Also be aware of your unwholesome thought and don't let them materialize. Sometimes it is a good idea to just slow down a bit, and don't rush about.

Right speech: Think before you talk, take the time to consider what you are going to say and be sure it won't hurt anyone, you can do it, and when you practice it all the time, in the end it will be a habit, a good habit, and then you have come a long way. Don't ever talk about someone who is not present, and don't "chat" for just "chatting" "talk is silver, silence is gold".

Right action: Again think before you do anything, and consider what effect the action will have on others as well as yourself. Do it consequently during your day, remember very few things have to be done in a hurry, take the time and do it right.

Right livelihood: Do your job with care and again be aware that you don't hurt others or yourself. Try to make a difference for those people you interact with through your job. Be honest and fair.

Right effort: Put energy into your practice, don't sleep your time away. If you need a rest take a rest. Study the Dhamma deligently every day and make sure you do your meditation. Don't use your time on useless things
.
Right mindfulness: Be mindful all the time, it sounds difficult, and yes it is, but you just have to try, and over time you will experience it will be more and more easy, and your life will change. Mindfulness is the key, and when you develop your mindfulness, you will find out how the other 7 noble truths will be much easier to practice. Everything will change when you develop your mindfulness and your life and your practice will just be so "fun"

Right concentration: Of course this is your meditation, and you just do it to the best of your abilities, and you just keeping do it whatever you have a "good" or "bad" meditation, There is no bad meditation, and the result will come, don't worry. But also use your concentration outside meditation, whatever you do during the day concentrate on what you are doing. With mindfulness and concentration you will always do wholesome thing.

Yes that is my practice and I can tell you it both give you a good life and your Buddhist practice will progress without many problems.

May all be happy and practice to the best of their abilities.

Jeppe

[aAaBecker]

Chop wood and carry water...

[TOPERink]

I'm keeping it simple... Meditate... Be kind... Read something about Buddhism...

This will do for now

[SAUNDERSAN]

I liked this ones...

Chop wood and carry water...

I'm keeping it simple... Meditate... Be kind... Read something about Buddhism...

This will do for now

plwk's one, remembers me a huge task about studying the deep meaning of chopping wood at a Mayan village. We were under the evaluation about shifting from wood stoves to gas ones so to protect the forest from deforestation. After many elders assemblies we came to understand that chopping wood had a sort of spiritual meaning as a way of relationship with their environment.

We abandon the project of gas stove even when the business interests were affected. The struggle was hard. We join forces to confront this issue and finally we come to a kind of environmental management for the fores so to keep the deep tradition of chopping wood.

Interestingly, in the Mayan culture, the ones who chop wood are the women.