Outline of the Tendai School 天台宗概論講: PART TWO: What Does Lineage Do!?

In this second video of our "Outline of the Tendai School 天台宗概論講" series, we touch on the significance of lineage, the roles it plays in Buddha-Dharma in the broadest sense, and what it is doing in the Tiantai/Tendai tradition more specifically.
Such questions are vitally important, but their importance is matched by the level of confusion that can be caused, when such questions are viewed without a sufficiently wide lens.
In this video, hopefully we are able clear up some of this confusion, as well as offer you some tips on how to think of lineage more broadly.
Any teacher who is not happy to discuss their lineage commitments with you, has something to hide. Furthermore, if a teacher conversely suggests that he/she possesses multiple lineage transmissions, but can show no connection with any tangible tradition in particular, then they are likely snake-oil salesmen. If they give themselves illustrious titles, claim mystical experiences, and try to waffle through their response to questions of lineage, get a second opinion.
You can support our work by donating to our Paypal:
www.paypal.com...
And you can find our website materials at:
tendaiaustrali...

[@TwoBuddhasMeditation]

Wonderful video. Very informative. Excellent teacher who really knows his subject very well. Should be required listening for any Buddhist descending from Grand Master Zhiyi Tiantai, Tendai, Nichiren, Soto etc.

[@epoflacko108]

Thanks for this video 🙏
It seems to me that the definition of lineage really depends on for what purpose you establish this list in the first place, and since not everyone trace lineage for the same reasons, debates over lineages become a sterile conversation
In modern Chinese Pure Land, a list of Pure Land patriarchs has been established, and the list wasn't established based on transmission from patriarch to patriarch or other factors linking them, but only based on the great texts, methods, or achievements each attained, recognizing how they all in their way participated to shape what Chinese Pure Land Buddhism is today, from a Chan point of view this is not a coherent or valid lineage because this list wasn't established with the same premises as the Chan lineage
From what I understand, lineage shouldn't be used as an authority argument but as an acknowledgement of where do we come from and where do we go
Lineage is not a path to go backwards but a road that was traced by those before us, again it all comes done to not cling to Dharma unskillfully

[@ginabanadab]

Thank you for the kind feedback.
Yes, I agree. As we hinted at at the beginning of the video, the way in which a school understands its connection to the Buddhas will determine the 'nature of their lineage'. As you point out, traditionally the Pure Land schools have drawn a line of patriarchs which were not temporal, but 'faith-associates'. They are therefore still 'within a line', but the doctrinal foci they share, determines how they see this connection. I had the good fortune of visiting the Xiangjisi Temple 香積寺 in Xi'an, which is connected to the Pure Land Master Shandao 善導大師. At the temple is an altar within a Stupa depicting the Japanese master Honen 法然, meeting Shandao in a dream. It is quite a moving scene, but this too is its own authority. Both figures are within the same line, due to their reliance on Amitabha's power, rather than via temporal connections- but precisely this, is their line itself across time.
You are correct that we shouldn't cling to the Dharma, and that lineage shows us a path moving forward. But this doesn't preclude the fact that if we choose forget about the 'authority' element filled by lineage, the risk of serious harm being caused by individuals who self-identify with something they've never tangibly been involved in, is extensive. Lineage fills many roles, and if we hold too tightly to the idea that a particular aspect of lineage (such as 'authority',) is not to be clung to- then we end up clinging to the rejection of this just as strongly. In short, lineage can and does hold both roles, and we all must navigate both to help others well :) 🙏