[JAMES PIETERSE]

Hi,

I have an extremely entry level question I hope someone can help me with!

I have been interested in Buddhism for years, and have read several books on the subject, including boks by The Dalai Lama, Alan Watts and Geshe Kelsang Gyatso.

I feel that I am ready to look more deeply into Buddhism now, and would like to attend a course, discussions or meditation classes of some type. My problem is that there seem to be many different Schools of Buddhism about offering these classes, and I have no idea which one I should go along to.

In my local area there are courses offered on Kadampa Buddhism, Triratna Buddhism, Amida Buddhism, Diamon Way Buddhism...

Does it matter which one I go to? Are there likely to be any major difference? Do I approach it like I did when I was choosing a football team to support as a child - picking a team and then sticking to it for life, or do I try out a few different ones and see which one fits? Or are they all basically operating on the same idea and it doesn't matter?

Any advice will be gratefully received.

Thank you.

[Promalada]

Hello lacey,

Be welcome to BWB!

As a personal advice it is good to try out a few different ones and see which one fits before a serious commitment into a specific tradition.

But to get acquainted with the basic teachings of Buddha can be a good starting point.

Kind wishes,

[JesikaFclq]

In my local area there are courses offered on Kadampa Buddhism, Triratna Buddhism, Amida Buddhism, Diamon Way Buddhism...

Does it matter which one I go to?

A solid foundation is important. The Mahayana books and groups you've mentioned might offer you something quite useful... but I'm biased, so I recommend getting your hands on some good introductory Suttas and exploring the words of the Buddha first, or at least alongside your other explorations.

[Reocourgigiot]

lacey,

"The Four Noble Truths" by Tamara Engle and "What is Buddhism" are attachments at the Beginners Forum. Those can be good readings.

[Franchise]

Hi Lacy,

Welcome to the group !

Three of the organisations you mention have had controversies surrounding them and I don't know anything about the third. I suggest that perhaps you could carefully research them all on the internet.

I think its worth me mentioning this specification in our Code of Conduct because the administrators of the website do not wish the site to be involved in online disputes between different Mahayana/Vajrayana schools, because some members may belong to opposing groups.

"Members are requested to avoid posting discussions or media items concerning controversial practices, traditions and disputes within Vajrayana Buddhism as these issues can lead to deep divisions between online sangha".


In general, Lacy, my opinion is that first it would be good to investigate what the historical Buddha taught. As well as the resources at the start of the topics in our Beginners forum mentioned by Kaarine, and Daverupa's suggestion, you could also have a look at some of the basic study resources at Buddhanet:

http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/index.htm


with kind wishes,

Aloka

[carreraboyracer]

My opinion is if you learn basic Buddhism, you are already so far ahead of the loop that you are very fortunate. To truly understand basic Buddhism after studying its concepts can lead to enlightenment all on its own. Because the core teachings of Buddhism are the same in all Buddhist traditions. All of the other practices which vary from sect to sect are just different way in which to understand the basic teachings of Buddhism.

So, once you have a firm grasp on what is the same in all forms of Buddhism, picking a school of Buddhism is just a matter of what "flavor" of practice is most effective for you. Ive never picked a particular sect, I employ practices from them all, and I study them all. But that is because I want to be a scholar that writes and lectures/teaches on Buddhism someday.

[BloofPailafum]

Thank you all for your thoughtful responses, I really appreciate them.

This forum seems a great resource and I'll definitely be back on here in the future. For now I'm looking forward to reading through the links I've kindly been provided with.

Thank you all for your help.

[Nurse_sero]

I'll definitely be back on here in the future.

We hope so, lacey!

Thank you all for your help. You are welcome,

[Chubrehege]

Welcome Lacey

I spent time trying to choose which group to belong to in order to have offline interaction with other Buddhists.

The more I looked the more I realised the enormous amount I could learn online.

Fee

[PemiaGefe]

Hi Lacey

If you're looking into Mahayana Buddhism, this course looks interesting -> http://onlinelearning.fpmt.org/

As far as I know, there are no controversies surrounding the FPMT.

Take your time, go to some drop-in meditation classes and see what fits. Do some research as well, a quick Google of the different organisations you mentioned should give you a feel for them and the potential pitfalls.