[Peapeuddedbaw]

Personally I struggle with this one a bit. If we take the standpoint that Buddha was a great teacher and enlightened does it matter what route or routes we use to achieve the same thing? Is there not a risk here that we end up with sectarianism as is the case in other "religions". We only have to look at the Christian church and the wars caused over the differences between Protestants and catholics and again between varying schools of Islam to name but two.

Surely the message is the message from Buddha and should be interpreted by each of us. As the Buddha himself is alleged to have said, believe nothing unless you experience it for yourself. I am sure there is also a bit about do not believe it just because your teachers tell you it is so. If we follow this how can it matter what path leads you to enlightenment?

[teewHettive]

I've practiced in the Theravadan tradition for 30 years, in the Mahayana/Vajrayana tradition for 25 years, and the Dzogchen tradition for 5 years. My experience is that all the Buddhist traditions are teaching precisely the same thing.

The various paths of awaking and their associated dogmas/methods, though appearing different on the surface, are leading to the exact same realizations.

The benefit to practicing in multiple traditions is that the essence comes to the foreground, and the stories/methods recede to the background and become just the tools that they were intended to be without becoming concretizing into belief.

The challenge of practicing in multiple traditions is seeing beyond the packages and underneath the cultural accretions - just using the tools and noting results rather than cultivating identity and preference.

[Alliopeti]

My experience is that all the Buddhist traditions are teaching precisely the same thing.

Surely Pink,

I have ever felt that. I do not seek for differences; I always enjoy when I found similitudes and coincidences. This is why I feel comfortable and seren with the one I have choosen, so I do not fear of other traditions.

Thanks,

[fabrizioitwloch]

[quote=Allis #26: ]

from post #1

This is what Buddha said:

my teacinig of the Good Law is to be likenedt o a raft. Te Buddha teaching must be relinquied. Hoch much more the msteaching

Hi Allis dear,

Please try to give references for any quotes you give...for example a ]http://www.buddhismwithoutboundaries.com/img/smilies/grin.gif[/img]

I am unsure how your post answers my question #1... ??

[AbraroLib]

Replying to Aloka-D: from post #1
Hi Aloka-D,
Just remember one thing: whatever the mind produces: questioms, answers, explanations, discourses, thoughts, ideas, feelings, emotions, likes, dislikes etc.follow Buddha´s words.
do not let the mind depend upon notions evoked by sounds,, odours,
flavour, touch-contacts, or a n y qualities. The mind shold be kept independent from any thoughts which arise in it. If the mind depends on a n y t h i n g it has no sure heaven.Replying to Aloka-D: from post #1
(Diamond Sutra)
Remember: Attach to nothing)
When you add this up. you will have the answer to your question!
- Allis

Thank you very much for your comments, -but I don't see how they are relevant to the topic...so let us return to discussing the topic question with the group again, please Allis.

"Can we practice with more than one Buddhist tradition - or is it better to choose only one ?"

[baronaaba]

I can only speak for myself. At this stage, I'm not bound to any tradition. But I'm inclined towards Theravada (because of Ajahn Chah, that man is inspiring), and am a little bit weary and confused about brand new traditions that have come about very recently.

I have respect for Zen too, something about their style, that sometimes I personally feel the more institutionalised Theravada "authorities" can learn from (like the story about burning Buddha statues).

[wallyfindme]

When you add this up. you will have the answer to your question!

I have to agree with that. None of these traditions were around the time of the Buddha, and he'd probably say something very similar.

[dolaBeetCeage]

None of these traditions were around the time of the Buddha, and he'd probably say something very similar.

However, we do have 'traditions' in the present day and so we usually have to investigate and practice within that framework.