I was a Theravada monk in southern Thailand for a month. I would love to chat. I had to go to the source and it’s interesting how it gets translated into Western Society.
Okay I see you Doug. Disregard my latest comment. I get very passionate about this because as the Dalai Lama stated, “ if your Christian stay Christian.” That’s a message you society at large but also true because inevitably in any Buddhist practice you come to terms either the fact that no one is giving to save you. The Buddha taught you how to free yourself, not save yourself. Peace and love. Good stuff doug
Indeed so Yuron Long, the Buddha's focus was suffering and its end. Interestingly though there is dispute about the "only". (Something I only recently realized as well!) tricycle.org/magazine/i-teach-only-suffering-and-end-suffering/
It's AMAZING to me that we have this knowledge at our fingertips in this age. The knowledge in this video would have taken an entire lifetime of travel and study across many distant countries.
I am 51 years old. And just in the last week, have been interested in learning about Buddhism. I am glad I came across your channel. You are a good teacher. I have subscribed to your channel. Thank you.
Being a mahayana Buddhist I request u that question and criticise us and on buddhism as much as u can. Blind faith is the cause of decline of buddhism. U have lots of knowledge of buddhism, so whenever u meet a Buddhist plz must ask so many question . Thanks for learning and teaching buddhism behalf of all Buddhist.
Hi Doug! I've been attracted to buddhism for a long time, but every time I try to study or practice it I feel overwhelmed and I don't know where to start, your videos are helping me a lot, so thank you so much for doing this ✨ I'm sending you good wishes from Argentina!
Hi Doug! I found your channel maybe two years ago at the beginning of quarantine and now two years later I’ve fully found myself as also a secular buddhist. In many ways, I’ve found you to be my “guru” or teacher when it comes to learning more about buddhism and finding new methods and concepts shared in the pali canon and other texts of early buddhism that has really resonated and affirmed my beliefs. Like what you say in every intro of your videos, I’ve found myself becoming kinder, wiser, and living a more fulfilling life. I think what I’m trying to say with this message is thank you for making these videos. Without it, I wouldn’t have realized how compatible buddhism is to my life as someone who has left roman catholicism and faced many times I felt adrift, bouncing between athiest and agnosticism. Keep up the good work and I hope to see more videos soon!!
i’m just getting into Buddhism and only beginning my research, and your videos have already been so helpful in forming my understanding of Buddhism as a whole and where I see myself fitting in with my personal practice. thank you so much for your clear and direct explanations!! 🖤
Thanks Doug, another excellent video. It's always been fascinating to see how people of different spiritual ideas incorporate local beliefs. Christianity is rife with it and Buddhism is no exception. You mentioned the Hindu connections. Tibetan Buddhists absorbed aspects of the Bo tradition. Chan, later Zen, happily includes Taoist ideas. Now we are seeing how the different schools are adapting to Western lifestyles and we can compare the same schools with the way they work in other parts of the world. A Christian evangelist acquaintance insists that all Christian denominations, at least the ones he approves of, have the same core beliefs. I hope we can all remember the roots of Buddhism. Your series of talks helps that ideal a lot.
Thanks so much martynsnan. Yes, as you say the adaptation continues today where contemporary ideas are changing Buddhism, making it a more secular practice. That will work for many of us but not all, and that's fine so long as we retain that ethical core of kindness, compassion, generosity, wisdom. The best of Christianity follows the same approach, and it's one we should celebrate. 🙏
Doug, my experience sitting with the three schools has been pretty much identical to yours. I sat with a Tibetan group for a few months in Rochester NY. The meditation room was exquisitely decorated with ornate tapestries, sculpture, beautiful pillow seating with little sort of desks on the floor for the exquisite little spirals of printed chants we were given. Some people robed. Seated in a u. Good meditation leaders. I sat with a zen like group a couple of times in oyster bay Long Island aligned with plum village. It was not for me. Everyone spoke in whispers. It was overly reverential, I felt like I was in a cleared out reception room of an old mansion, which we were. It just felt forced to me. The Theravadan Long Island Buddhist meditation center in port Jeff and now moved to riverhead was for me. As you say, very egalitarian even though it was led by very skillful monks. They explained everything. We stared with chanting, then readings from the Pali canon where we went around the circle and read aloud, then two meditations… metta followed by breath. The monks were associated with bante g and the Vihara in West Virginia. Some people left as they they got hung up on the issue of rebirth. I’m agnostic on this. I don’t care. But it was a barrier to some. I feel they might have been more content if they just let it go.
Yes I think it matters a lot to some traditional practitioners, and is a barrier to many others. Best to leave it aside and let each person decide for him or herself. Glad to hear you had similar thoughts! 🙏😊
Thank you for this 🙏 Is all so confusing when you are just starting out. Have been following Theravada practise as again, i just stumbled across it from by chance. You have clarified that it is definitely the right for me so thank you for that. Really interesting, really appreciated...... 🙏
It should be noted that this isn't a strict separation. For example, the Plum Village tradition founded by Thay Nhat Hanh, is an off shoot of Thien, or Vietnamese Zen, which blends Zen/Chan and Theravada Buddhism.
Thank you, Doug! That's awesome that someone can explain such things so simply and clearly. I was introduced to Buddhism through Mahayana because have lived in South Korea for a bit. So, I have a silly question: is it appropriate to go to a Theravada temple or a local Theravada community for a person that follows Mahayana? There're no such things in my region, only in a city that is 600 km away and it's not really popular in my country in general, so I don't have a choice but go there. Wish you the best. Greetings from Russia!
You're very welcome Clover_ru! I don't see any problem with your going to a Theravāda community, and I'm sure they'd be happy to have you there. You might find some of their interpretations of the dhamma slightly different from what you had learned earlier but if you're OK with that I expect it should be fine. If you have any questions just ask them about it.
Growing up from a family lineage practising Pure Land Buddhism in Singapore, I remember when I was a kid my parents started me off by sending me to a Sri Lankan Theravada temple to learn the Four Noble Truths, the Eightfold Paths, the 10 precepts, Samatha meditation and some Theravadin suttas from a Theravadin monk. Couple of years later, they sent me to a Pure Land buddhist temple to learn more about Bodhisattvas' vows and Compassion, Amitabha's vows and the 3 Pure Land sutras from Pure Land monks. If someone asks me what is my religion.. my answer is always... I'm a Buddhist. I don't and will never be very specific by saying I'm a Pure Land or Mahayana Buddhist. I personally feel there shouldn't be any form of branding in Buddhism. Even today I go to both Theravada and Mahayana temples and whichever I go to, I am always welcomed by the temple monks and devotees. Distinguishing oneself and claiming one Buddhist tradition or school is better than the rest is not Buddhism. According to the Dharma (sanskrit)/Dhamma (pali) our historical Lord Buddha Sakyamuni didn't teach us to think as such.
Thanks for your thoughts on this A Tan. I think it depends on our interest. Some people like a syncretic approach to Buddhist practice, but others don’t. Some people prefer a more devotional practice, others less. So it’s good to know the differences in case you weren’t aware that there was a form of practice that was more appropriate to your own lifestyle and approach.
Hi Doug. I’m loving these videos. I started with zen, mostly getting my teachings from Insight now and also exploring Navayana. These videos are so great for myself and to send to my friends who are drawn to Buddhist meditation. Do you have any where you explain the history of relative & absolute realities? Also Faith? Would love to see that. Thank you!
Sure, I have a couple of videos on the Two Truths, the first one is here: ua-cam.com/video/qL_sspJzQx8/v-deo.html , and a couple on faith as well, here: ua-cam.com/video/xuhyuHb-9X4/v-deo.html and here: ua-cam.com/video/JcKbIKRdIZw/v-deo.html
Thanks for the idea BossZen. It would require a great deal of additional study on my part to do that, but maybe someday. Have you seen my earlier video on the history of Zen? ua-cam.com/video/lRAW-GN4TUA/v-deo.html 🙂
Vajrayana has a surprisingly large influence in the US, as compared to the other two schools. Apparently in the early 1900s, or late 1800s, Buddhist missionaries from Tibet and Nepal came over and built vajrayana temples, specifically dedicated to drikung kagyu
Yes, Vajrayāna and Tibetan Buddhism generally has had an outsized effect worldwide I think. But exactly the history of that I'm not sure of. Certainly the exile of the Dalai Lama accelerated it.
SINCE you asked for comments.....here goes! Secular Bhuddist, that sounds about right, at this point. Me, schooled in Zen, Zen, Zen Tripple ZEN lately I've been investigating Catholizim but just can't get with the Virgen Mary stuff and you are in NY as I am, sooooooooooooooooooHello. I will be enjoying your going forward and in the near future.
I appreciated the video very much, however found it interesting that Thailand, where Theravada Buddhism is the official religion was not mentioned. I say this because I mostly follow the Thai Forest teachings. Also some of the most beautiful Buddhist temples can be found there.
Ah yes Lina, I don't recall but if I left out Thailand it was an oversight of mine.The Thai forest tradition is a wonderful source of meditation teachings.
Hey Doug. Thanks for the post! The last two responses I've made to 'Buddhist' posts have not been all together positive...Im not a troll 😁 lol) Not so with this post... 😀 I thought I would mske mention of the previous 2 people and make a couple of additional comments re: my own experiences. I feel thar coming from primarily Christian background and upbringing / school etc, it's actually quite a, long - shot that someone like me (UK Born) would have the good fortune to comr into contact with The Dharma. Let alone from thar small first brush - develop a regular practice, begin studying, find a teacher and a centre. So that first 'brush' i mentioned. It's so SO important (IMHO) thst this brush id is of ths best quality possible... Or if stated negatively : Is NOT of a poor quality, ie being given duff information due to... Overecuberance of the " themselves - newly - converted" 😀🙄 Or worse still, again being fed duff information by individuals with some alterior motve which is AT BEST merely thier own self - promotion. I always feel something of a burdensl when discussing Buddhist Teachings with a 'new' person. Im ÜBER - careful for fear 😱 of saying the wrong thing, something thst will turn people off instead of on. Just FYI i do not go about evangelising lol. I hsve one friend who is very fond of declaring to anyone with a padsing interest - "Stu's s Buddhist you should tslk to him!" i did Jukai in 2010 snx and have never felt the need to identify myself as sucheven once in all thst time. Which brings me morev onto the topic of your post. I smiled when you said something alomg the lines of "Mahayana 'tends' to be... 😀 ' scuppered already before you had even started. As soon as we open our mouths snd words come out we begin contradicting ourselves. I practice Soto Zen. Thsts where my hat has endedvup being hung. I moved house 13 years ago to be with my (now) wife. This just hsppens to be 30 minutes drive from Throssel Hole Buddhist Abbey. Jiyu Kennett who started the Abbey in the early 70's along with Shasta Abbey in CA USA 🇺🇸 one of her books (Zen is Eternal Life?) she has a paragraph entitled : ZEN IS A RELIGION. Her history is very 'churchy'. Wanted to be a Christian priest or monk ideally - initially anyway. When she returned from Japan she re-did everything in an occidental style. Chants in English to plain song. Lots of ceremonial stuff. I have an unhappy history with Christianity so im not particularly keen on that side if things. But i use it to practice with when im there. If i wsx in the US I would seek out Steve Hagen at Dharmafield in Minneapolis. Over the years they have reduced to s minimum thr ceremonial stuff, in fact they don't even have a Buddha Statue on the altar... Judt s huge rock. I am a member of the audio section soni get my talks there snd some courses (in the middle of Nagarjuna at the moment) So here we have 2 Mahayana practitioners set up thier own places and they couldn't be more different. And not only thst, they were both ordained with Soto Zen snd spent time at Soji-ji in. Yokahama. It really is difficult trying to categorise anyone... Even if on paper they should be the same. I do lean very much more towards living by the Precepts. Regular sitting practice. Mix thst up. With a few sesshins a year. And then AAAALLLLL the rest of thr time judt keep coming back. Keep coming back. No chastisement - judt recognise, and you sre already back. The 2 previous podts were one girl who was telling all her 'followers' how she got into Buddhism. Hsndl8ng it like a make - up tutorial. But she was TEACHING IT. And she said about 5 or 6 things thst were judt pants! I felt bad pointing these things out, but I felt worse forvsny potential new people later on Googling thr Zen. Percepts. Last thing. The guy was a whole different can of worms. I csught him indicating he had had an Awakening working on the Koan "what is the water?"? Podts on How to do Zazen. Hechad even started having meetings. I asked him to confirm whst hr had said. Where he practiced and who his teacher was. Still don't know 🙄🤔😏 but within hours he had posted an apologt to his followers about exaggerations he had made. THAT video was gone but I don't doubt he will be at his guru nonsense again before the year's end. Such a shame. This / thst may be the only chance some of his poor followers ever get... 😕 Most Zen folks don't take stories and sutras /teachings necessarily to be true. Big issue with the bible people. Butbit is difficult to work out where Zen ends and Japanese culture begins... Watching stuff on NHK about Japan im blown awsy at how "Zen" their whole culture actually is. Sorry for the Novella. And thanks for passing on a simple message witj no strings! 😃
Thanks for that Something Wonderful, yes it's pretty impossible to summarize enormous schools of thought like these in a short video. I did what I could but there are a lot of asterisks, and especially with a practice like Zen that is so odd in many ways! 😄
Thanks Jemima! Doing a talk on lineages is something I might do eventually if I can find some good concise scholarly info on them and think it might prove interesting. But it would take research! 🙂
I'm quite new to Buddhism, but I was involved for a time with Soka Gakkai International, however, I found them too insular, irrational and sectarian. I am now mostly involved with an organisation known as The School of Philosophy and Economic Science which focuses on Advaita Vedanta and Greek philosophy. I really like it because it's totally open to anyone from any belief system. I think the Buddhism that most attracts me is Secular Buddhism, and I have the book Confession of a Buddhist Atheist which you recommended in another video which I still need to read!
Vegitarianism is ambiguous in Buddhism. There were two conflicting principles: (1) the precepts "do not kill" and "do not eat any meat that was killed specifically for you." This rule led to the tradition that all meals made specifically for monks were vegetarian. (2) But there was another rule that a monk was to eat whatever was placed in their begging bowl, as long as any meat is a left-over from the family's own meal and not killed and cooked for the monk. These rules were balanced on an individual basis as best at the person could.
I used to be into Vinayana until I found out the political roots of Tibetan Buddhism and started questioning its ideology, which I then found out was influenced by local Hindu Tantra. I had some interest in some Mahayana schools, namely Zen, until I read into the roots of Mahayana and saw its deviation from The Buddha's teachings and the very strong influence of culture and ritual, and ritual is something that is not to be clung to by a stream enterer. So I stick to Theravada. Im planning to ordain asap.
@@DougsDharma i definitely don't want to be hostile to the other schools, because they taught me a lot. I dont doubt the enlightenment of people following other schools, but I feel Theravada is the proper way for me at least.
Mahayana seems to be heavily influenced by Hinduism and deviated from earlier scriptures; Devas, gurus, supernatural powers, magic etc which are considered unimportant to attain enlightenment in Pali scriptures (Theravada)
Very interesting and astute another work on tantracism you may find interesting is "Sakti and Sakta" Sir John Woodroffe. Interesting the way that term "tantric" has been mutilated. Just because the Book of Solomon is in the Bible dosen't mean one can say they had "Biblic" Sex.Surprisng how much tantra in principle relates to the Tao. Being fortunate enough in my 20's to have an older co worker/boss who intrudced me to "The Awakening of Faith" Hakeda and Suzuki and the Evans Wentz "Tibetan Book of the Great Liberation". (also work's likes Merton's seeds of contemplation) however I took the practices of cessation an clear observation as prescribed in The Awakeng of Faith. For many years they have led to increases in understanding and perhaps some insiight. No Guru, but hey I'm 77 and still ticking. Anyway about Mantra aand Mudra. So Mantra works by giving the left pareital lobe something to do which can allow access to a spectrum of Alpha states so it's pretty psychologically sound. For years I wondered how Mudra works ((fortunately because I wass trained as a classical pianist I wonder about things like that) but then didn't tink much of it though I thought there must be a reason and then began looking at the Mudra as in motion gesturing so one mnight I was sitting on my couch monkeying around with Mudra's and pretending root gesture instead of stylized versions startednwithe lowest went to the crown the next thing I new it there was a radient warm felling moving up the spine leading to an inspiring state somewhere in the trascendent function and my disdain for Sat Chakra Nirupana did a 180. I have since refined the process and use it every 5 to ten years over the last 30 years as a way to shake off unwitiingly entrnched attitudes of self conscious self reflection and every now and then it's good renewal. However such states are transitory and although helpful as nudges they are just yet more activities of minds predisposed to take projecions for real. So in the end "Cessation and Clear Observation have taken precedence as the only necessary practices for me. Bohdidharma was right in his reply to the Emperor's inqiry as to who stands before him? "Don't know" It's kind of nice that way, don't you think?
I thought early in the video, you said Mahayana didn't focus much on non-duality or emptiness, but then later you said both Mahayana and Vajrayana both focus on those things as a commonality. Can you explain more? Love the channel btw!!
Thanks BippityBoopity! As to the video, I'm not sure what you were reacting to, I would imagine I was talking about Theravāda not focusing much on non-duality or emptiness. If you find me saying that about the Mahāyāna it's a mistake! 😄
I started out in Shambhala Buddhism, which is almost like a secular kind of Buddhism. However, I found there were issues with this particular branch of Tibetan Buddhism. For example, the Sakyong was accused of many instances of sexual abuse and manipulation. It was very distressing for me because I really liked practicing in their center. However, I don't feel too comfortable practicing there now. The book we first read was "The Path of the Warrior," which was pretty interesting. I also went to a few retreats within the Shambhala centers. Although I remember we may have recited a few mantras, it focused on meditation and did not really go into the devotional stuff as much. Otherwise, it seemed very secular to me. I wonder what you thought about the recent scandal within Shambhala Buddhism and about the secular kind of practice?
Shambhala was really started by Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche in the 60s, claiming to be a separate lineage (although heavily informed by Nyingma and Zen). It was designed as a way to make Tibetan Buddhism palatable to Westerners, particularly the hippies of the time. Although brilliant, Trungpa was a very controversial figure and unfortunately several of his proclivities including sexual proclivity and alcoholism were passed on to his son, who ultimately caused the demise of what was one of the largest Sangha’s in terms of buildings, colleges and centers. They still practice in some cites under a reformulated structure. Shambhala is not as historic as other Tibetan lineages such as the Kagyu, Nyingma, Sakya and Gelug. My experience has been with Shambhala and Gelug, both of which are very different but have similar teachings pervading. I do agree that Shambhala feels very secular and feels very similar to the Theravada center I have been visiting lately. Unfortunately similar scandals have been seen all over, including in Theravada schools such as Against The Stream and even yoga schools like Bikram. This often seen manipulation of guru yoga has even lead to the Dalai Lama advising against guru yoga.
I've always been confused about all these different words in Buddhism and which of them belong to which school. Like Dzogchen, Vipassana, Mahamudra etc...
If I may share, the monastics discipline or 'vinaya' is very important. It is the reason why whatever stream a Buddhist adherent is from, he/she will pay respect to a monastic of any school. To Buddhists, monastics are more than dharma teachers. Lay Buddhists should learn how to interact with a monastic properly.
Wonderful video. Thank you. 😊 I have always thought of life in a rationally optimistic and secular way. I won't get into the story here, but when I'd first read of Theravada, I was truly astonished. The struggle now is finding a means of studying here... Tennessee, of all places! But videos like these and discourse with alike minds helps greatly. ❤
I really enjoyed yur explanations so thank you. But I have this overhanging question. . How does the concept of karma (in terms of passing on karma at the time of death to a newborn life) exist along side concepts such as emptiness, no self and lack of essence?
Yes this is an age-old question in Buddhism. Although my approach is secular in that I don’t really pay much attention to issues of rebirth, I’ve done various videos that deal with issues surrounding personal continuation, one you might find interesting is this: ua-cam.com/video/IaH3fLhO3Xc/v-deo.html
These are typically known as "Schools". E.g., en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schools_of_Buddhism www.britannica.com/topic/eighteen-schools www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/buddhistworld/schools2.htm
Despite watching this video, I still find it difficult to figure out which school would fit me. I do consider myself atheist, I don't really believe there will be an afterlife or that I'd be reborn. I live in Finland so I wouldn't have a possibility for a group or a teacher and as a student, I wouldn't be able to afford to have one anyway. Theravada does feel the most suitable for me, but again I don't believe in rebirth or reincarnation. Any thoughts?
Well on my channel you'll see quite a bit about secular Buddhism which is what mostly draws me in terms of my personal belief and practice. It can be practiced many ways, but I think is easiest to do with a Theravāda/Vipassana structure derived from early Buddhism. You can find material online, that might be the easiest way to go for now. But see my video on what to do if you don't have a local meditation group: ua-cam.com/video/-rEKVKsV2iU/v-deo.html
Buddha attained nirvanna That means his existance is completely done. If you know definition of Nirvanna, you'll understand what i mean. I mean Buddha can't bless people anymore. Just out of curiosity, what sect of buddhism do you follow?
Hello ! I´m presently in a relation with Nichiren Buddhism in wich Nichiren is considered the latter day of the law buddha and as superior in relation to Shakyamuni buddha(the historical buddha 4th of this eon) . They consider all of the prior teachings before the Lotus sutra ( supreme for them) provisional and of little or even none relevance as to compared with Lotus Sutra... I´m trying to further investigate this position in the GOSHO wich are letters Nichiren wrote to followers and some treatises.... if any one has any view on this I will very welcomelly attend it... thank you and see you along th path !!!!
My introduction to Buddhism came through Zen, specifically Soto and more recently the Kwan Um School. I think Zen and, to a certain degree, Vajrayana are the most visible entry points for westerners. I’ve had good experiences in practicing with these approaches, and I’ve been curious to learn more about the ins and outs of Vajrayana. Thanks for your videos!
The Dalai Lama has many discussions and conversations on Buddhism, but you will have to go to his channel to look for them! 😀 I did a video on some of his ideas awhile back: ua-cam.com/video/s0SBxp5Hpok/v-deo.html
Introduction too long - video good content , informative but could be summarised in third of time and would be effective as it is . Few terms not clear , can I ask ( video 6 y old and not sure , comments can reach the presenter). Some body said comments ? Vijay…. Is it fourth school
Well, they are called "schools" here: www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/history/comparative.htm here: tricycle.org/trikedaily/buddhist-traditions/ and here: ua-cam.com/video/aCA6ioTLw-Q/v-deo.html for example.
If you mean the historical Buddha, then arguably he didn't teach any of them: there are aspects of each school that did not come from the early teachings.
I’ve been having a hard time finding simple explanations about Buddhism. I appreciate the fact that you’re breaking things down logically, before getting into all of the philosophical stuff.
Thanks Anna, yes I'm trying to make it understandable to folks without too much philosophical background or interest. There will be some videos that have more of that kind of material however. Just depends on the topic. 🙂
Also just read or watch videos from alan watts. You will see the true meaning to karma and what zen is, a mixture of Daoism and Buddhism. The popular version of Buddhism or Hinduism has a lot of misleading ideas. Alan watts will give clarity.
2:37 Theravada Buddhism - Insight Driven - Focus on the historical buddha - Less Ritual - Less Hierarchical - Rational and Conceptual Clarity in their teachings - Uses interpreted texts - Become awakened reduce greed, hatred, ignorance does not focus on buddha nature - Very strict monks 7:21 Mahayana Buddhism - Encompasses Zen, Tibeten, Pure Land Buddhism - Devotional Driven (robes, incense, bells, elaborate rooms) - Mantra and ritual based practice - Guru and Teacher based. You would - Very relaxed monks - Break reliance on Reason to understand the world. More non-rational. - Uses more modern texts 11:46 Vajrayana Buddhism - Tantric Buddhism - Intensely guru based, typically work with one teacher for years and years - Intensely hierarchical - Devotional Focused - Initiation rights to bind to gods, gurus, etc. - Mantras, Mudras - Texts are VERY powerful - A lot of aspects are kept secret and not able to be studied without leacher (sex, alcohol, etc. )
I know this is an old vid but I just found this now and as someone interested in Buddhism this is so informative and easy to digest. Trying to find info about the schools through self research was sooo confusing
Thank you so much for this video! I left the Jehovah’s Witness religion with my husband last summer. We’ve decided Christianity isn’t for us, so we’re exploring eastern spirituality. We feel as if it represents us better. We are going to a Buddhist temple tomorrow, and by watching this video, we are much more informed- and prefer the Theravāda temple!
I first know Buddhism when I was 7 years old through my Dad. I read some Mahayana Sutras ,I find it long and quite hard for me to understand. Meanwhile I later read the 5 Nikaya Pali Sutra (which I believe they belong to Theravada Buddhism), I find them simple and easier to understand. The context in Pali Sutra is close to ancient Indian lives, many simple examples Buddha use to explain his teachings.
Mahayana mantras are more complicated as they're Chinese, the hardest language in the world for English speakers. But to make it more simple, is to find the pronunciation version of the mantra.
Great overview! Even though I’ve considered myself Buddhist for a decade and been to one of Thich Nhat Hahn’s monasteries and did a day of mindfulness, read many books, and taught meditation groups, I still get the different schools confused and overlapped mentally. Granted, I mostly take what’s helpful for me and leave the rest. Great vid. Best wishes.
As someone who is recently convinced by the core ideas of the four truths and eightfold path, I’m conflicted, because I’m drawn towards the rationalism in Theravada, but I’m also drawn towards the compassion towards others and the bodhisattva vows and so forth in mahayana. I don’t care for devotional practices, but I feel rituals in general have a practical purpose of spiritual centering/re-centering and strengthening conviction if that makes sense. Meanwhile the very few western/secular buddhists I have met seem to largely be interested in adopting only the aesthetic of a buddhist while cherrypicking concepts and practices that match pop psychology and the self-help industry, ultimately more interested in personal improvement for the end goal of material benefits rather than a cessation of suffering in either the self or others. But I can’t help be drawn to the idea of secularism as an empiricist myself. But this is the perspective of a prospective outsider, just voicing my frustration with not feeling like any school is a good fit for me rather than trying to disparage anybody
Well it helps to realize that each of the schools of Buddhism was created from someone in the past feeling dissatisfied with the options of Buddhism available to them. I don't believe there is any right or wrong path in life. Simply what is right or wrong for each individual. That was my long-winded way of agreeing with Doug; forge your own path.
@@lucalinadreemur9448 It goes deeper than that. The forerunner to Mahayana, the Mahasangika, caused the first schism at the follow up to the second council, mostly because they didn't like the vinaya (the monk's rules) that the Buddha set forth. Notably, they didn't like the rule against eating after midday, or that they couldn't take monetary donations. They then denigrated the achievements of Arhats, saying they're not fully enlightened and not destined to leave samsara after death. I say this with all love, but the Mahasangika and the Mahayana that grew out of it simply have wrong view. It's not that they haven't done great things or that the hearts of present day Mahayana folks aren't in the right place, as for the most part I think they are, it's that Theravada, despite its own flaws, at least remains fairly close to the Buddha's actual teachings. The Mahasangika movement was instead born out of a faction of monks who just weren't there to achieve the goal of Nibbana and wanted laxer rules so they could freely pursue their own objectives. It's important to have discipline as well as compassion about these things. It does people no good to follow teachings that don't lead to liberation from suffering. There's schools within Mahayana (as well as Theravada - dry insight comes to mind) that need loving chastisement as their teaching isn't liberating anyone.
It is a normal view within Mahayana Buddhism that a foundation of Hinayana views and practices is of great importance. The different Yanas may seem as different paths with different aims but really they all point towards the same thing, the taming of the mind in order to overcome the causes of suffering and samsara. The view within Tibetan Buddhism is that one cannot just jump right into the more esoteric type of practices (as a beginner) but we must build a foundation that stem right back to the foundational practices and views taught in the First turning of the Wheel of Dharma (Hinayana) by the Buddha. For any practitioner within the Tibetan tradition the Buddha is considered our founding root source and is placed at the center of the tradition. The path of Varjayana is considered open to us only if we have a thorough understanding of Hinayana and Mahayana first. For a Varjayana practitioner the Buddha turned the Wheel of the Dharma three times, meaning that the Buddha appeared in different forms at different times to introduce a new set of teachings for differently inclined students. To have a sense of starting from the beginning with the essential teachings taught by the historical Buddha will build an excellent foundation should we feel inclined towards more Mahayana type of practices later. But it is also considered not a problem, nor danger, to start out right away with a practice more inclined towards a Mahayana view either. The view of Mahayana has all the Hinayana views embedded within it and is in no way a contradiction to the First turning of the Wheel of the Dharma. It is more like an expanded form, we can say. Even though Mahayana and Varjayana seems to express more flair and colours those are secondary outwardly appearances, mostly. Both these vehicles requires extraordinary discipline, commitment and focus to be effective. They are not meant for the faint hearted or lazy person, as it sometimes have been portrayed as to be. It is in fact the absolute opposite! The view, commitment and practice of a Bodhisattva is no small thing at all! It should be seen as an culmination of what the heart of enlightenment (Bodhicitta) is all about. When we enter into a Mahayana practice we become an “aspiring” Bodhisattva which entails things such as eternal (not just for one lifetime) commitment towards enlightened aspiration and the sincere will to bringing liberation to all sentient beings. The path towards becoming a Buddha goes through all the stages of being on the path of a Bodhisattva first. That transition may happen as a slow or rapid progression, but no Buddha is said to have appeared without having traversed the ten (or thirteen) stages (Bumis) of a Bodhisattva first. This is the Mahayana view. It should be noted that the Mahayana (and Varjayana) vehicle(s) of practices are not recognized by all Hinayana practitioners as authentic teachings of the Buddha. Conversely, all practitioners within Mahayana and Varjayana are advised to accept and appreciate the First turning of the Wheel of the Dharma (Hinayana) by the Buddha, at least as being foundational in practice and views. It may seem puzzling why we have so many different styles, ways and costumes within the Buddhist community? The traditional explanation for that is the different inclinations we practitioners are endowed with. Buddhas and Bodhisattvas appear continuously throughout space and time to teach and help sentient beings overcome their obscurations and achieve the realization of their true nature, or liberation. No teaching will fit all types of beings but the Buddhas are endowed with the infinite capacities to teach in accordance to the inclinations of the students listening. Over time this will form into, what seems to be separate traditions and schools of thought. It is for that reason we always need to look back into the first set of teachings the historical Buddha of our time gave in order not to fall into the trap of sectarianism or “skipping the grade”-type of mentality. No teachings given by the Buddha should be seen as trivial or negligible. It was given to us with full intent and insight knowing it contains no contradictions, if understood correctly.
I almost think Zen has more in common with Taoism than traditional Buddhism, especially in the idea of “non-striving”. They argue that one overcomes the self not through training but through sudden awareness. My Zen teacher would often say “Don’t you know? You are already empty. There is nothing to overcome.” That always stuck with me. Also, how liberal a sangha kind of depends on the school. Soto Zen is pretty lax compared to warrior-esque Rinzai.
Interesting idea. Its always confused me a tad how 2 groups in the same school have such polar opposite ideas on conscious use of thier meditation practice as a technique to bring on Awakening (or not, depending on whether Rinzai or Soto). They cannot BOTH BE WRONG? And still commited practitioners in both groups make "progress" and eventually are recognised as having done so by thier teachers? Thank you for the thoughts on Taoism - I have read The Tao Te Ching but did not pick that up. I shall have another look.
That's a very good observation! Zen does have a lot in common with Taoism. Chan, the Chinese progenitor of Japanese Zen (the word Zen is derived from Chan) was directly influence by Taoism during its development.
@@MichaelBurtonGahurton 'Cos zen is a mixture of buddhism and taoism which is linking heavily with chinese culture. Its TAO-ized buddhism. And also hindu-ized buddhism exists in india.
I love your clarity, humility, and your open minded depictions of the various schools of thought. It is a difficult world we live in and your words are helpful in both dealing with it, and giving the opportunity to still enjoy life. "Live long and prosper." modern Buddhist friend. ;)
Secular Buddhism seems to make the most sense to me. Stories of people remembering past lives and re-birth sound as fantastical as unicorns. But using Buddhism to sharpen your morality and behavior and using meditation to calm yourself, get centered is to me the most important concepts of Buddhism. I've been attending a Buddhist temple in town and they are some of the most non-judgemental and kindest people I've ever met.
Hey man. I am from Sri Lanka born in buddhist family. Sri Lanka has only Theravada buddism. We are highly practicing sathipattana meditation in our monasteries. As I think Thailand,Mynmar and Laos like that. If you want to learn in deep come to Sri Lanka.. Namo Buddaya.. Sadu Sadu Sadu...
Thank you very much for your videos. I only discovered them a week ago. They are so very helpful. I have been studying Tibetan Buddhism for a few years because I had easy access to teachers in my area. But I have been struggling to find faith in all the deities, mantras and rituals, which left me feeling not worthy and somehow guilty (even though they say there is no word for guilt in Tibetan). I thought of looking into Zen but suspected that they would have a lot of rituals as well, this time just from a different culture. I like listening to Theravaden talks online, but didn't know where to start finding out more about them. By chance I found your videos and they are a great help. I am trying to find more clarity which path to choose and I am very tempted to become a secular Buddhist even though I believe in rebirth 😉. I am looking forward to find out more about Buddhas original teachings. Thank you so much Birgit 🙏
Wonderful work Doug, thank you! I woudn't say that Zen is 'irrational' because Dogen is a very rational author, but I would say that Zen uses non-conceptual approach to generate insight as skillful means. Additionally I woudn't say that Vajrayana uses complicated visualization, rather than complex visualizations. I leave here these as suggestions... Your work is amazing, these are just minor points that I think valuable.
i would say that Dogen's brand of Soto Zen moves away from many of the devotional aspects of Mahayana back towards the insight practices of Theravada. even at the time he saw himself as "returning to original Buddhism," although probably every sect thinks the same.
I feel inclined to add that when the Mahayana talk about "emptiness" / "void" / "nothingness", we're not being nihilistic. It's a way to communicate the inconceivable nature of reality. As soon as you conceptualize or define "nothing", it isn't actually nothing anymore. This is Buddha nature (as I understand it), and I liken it to the way that people conceptualize God. If God is omnipotent and omnipresent, then all things must be the expression of that perfectly unified, infinite God (the true nature of which is concealed by our limited perceptive faculties). Anyway, I'm obviously a little more on the superstitious side than you are, and I'm way more pedantic; but I thought this would be a fun addition to your already phenomenal introduction. Love your content, man!
Thanks Alexander, yes "emptiness" isn't meant to be nihilism. I discuss the early doctrine of emptiness in another video here: ua-cam.com/video/U1_i6EvYDaY/v-deo.html
It’s a very good explanation Doug! When I first converted to buddhadharma you built my foundation. I myself have been a vajrayana practitioner for some years because I have been attracted to Tibetan Buddhism since a little child, and it’s been the biggest gift of my life to find the teachings, the Buddha, my sangha and my gurus. As my root guru His Eminence Garchen Rinpoche says: “It doesn’t matter if one calls a Buddhist or not, the dharma is love”. Also from a broader view I think it would be very good to mention that every teaching that fits under the 4 seals Is Buddha dharma: 1. All compounded things are impermanent. 2. All contaminated phenomena cause suffering. 3. All things are selfless, or in other words interdependent. 4. Nirvana is beyond extremes( nihilism and eternalism). This is the teaching of the Buddha.
As someone new to Buddhism, so much easier to follow than books! I've wanted to learn how to practice for a while but the meditation centre near me is just too expensive for a student :( these are super helpful for teaching myself at home so thankyou!
Sad to hear that a centre charges instead of accepting donations. The internet has plenty of good teachings, but it can indeed be overwhelming and difficult to navigate.
I just would love to say that I’m great full to come across your channel. You organized this video very well. I’m currently 15 years old and very confused in the world and after hearing about Buddhism, I became very interested in the idea of each branch. I found it very hard to find anything with a straight answer so I appreciate having people like you, know exactly what you’re talking about and teaching others. Thank you!
Teravada buddism has no deity. They have deva aka angels. Well people are conflating angels and deities Its not about hindu deities but about art adopted from south asia. Well buddism was spread in southeast asia by an indian (south asian) king Asoka. He sent missionaries to most parts of asia, buddy
Thank you very much for explaining Vajrayana. I have limited understanding, and I what I have read, I found confusing. Your explanation of Tantra and it's apparent link to Shaivism was also very useful. I recall reading somewhere that the sexual practices and some of the deities in Tibetan Buddhism were due, in part, to the pre-Buddhist animist practices in Tibet being co-opted or mingled with Buddhist teachings from India. It seems clear there was a good deal of interaction between various "religions" in the first few centuries after the Buddha lived; same as today.
Yes, I think this mingling of religions is more the norm than the exception, though there pretty clearly are periods where it is more active and lots happens, and other periods where there is less interchange.
I just moved to a new state and one of the closest Buddhist temples to me is a Theravada Buddhist temple. I have been doing more research into that school of Buddhist thought due to proximity for the most part.
thank you for making this video! I've been getting into Nichiren Buddhism lately and this helps me look at the practice from a 10000 foot level, much love from LA
Hinayana is considered a perjorative term, and is long out of date. Usually used by Mahayanists who wish to put down the Theravadans and make themselves feel superior. Or used by others who are simply ignorant and don’t know any better. The correct term is Theravada….the Way of the Elders…or Doctrine of the Elders.
@@DougsDharma Thank you for replying. But that's also how Mahayanists pretend to avoid criticisms for their shallow opinion upon the mainstream Buddhism. It's pretty clear that they referred Theravada when they describe that it merely produces arahants, who only seek for own salvation.
I’ve been practicing at a Chan Buddhist center in Northern California. It falls under the Mahayana category. Some of what you said was true for my monastery, but some of it was not. Overall, my experience has been extremely positive. The center is definitely ritualistic; there’s a lot of singing, chanting, and of course, lots of meditation. The monastery is beautiful and full of statues of bodhisattvas and arhats. Dharma talks from the head abbas are engaging and informative. Like you said, there is a focus on things like emptiness, non-duality, inherent Buddha nature, and other teachings that feel somewhat paradoxical at times. There is a robust community of monastics at the monetary I attend and they are extremely lighthearted and good humored. However, they are strictly devoted. They don’t marry, they don’t drink alcohol, and they are vegetarians. Thank you for your informative videos! Amitofo!
The closest Buddha temple close to me is 120 miles south of me in Amarillo Tx. I live at the top of Texas panhandle. I need help on my journey of learning.
In matters of faith - even rational- and spiritual journey, one can NEVER be objective. After all, the spiritual journey is always solitary. And all new reform movements such as your Secular Buddhism, I am sure will eventually end up with your own practices, conventions that will posit into rituals within a matter of 49-50 years. Kollengode S Venkataraman
Post-Buddhism is fun. Many mindfulness practitioners as myself do not use the label "Buddhist", but use modified Buddist meditation and maybe some insight in Anatta, Anycca and such.
This helped me a lot :)) thank you!!! Also, a recommendation - I am a visual learner, and I would find it helpful if you could incorporate some!! either way, I’ll keep watching! nice job!!
Thanks Brandon! Yes, I'm a visual learner too. The problem with visuals is twofold: first is finding good visuals that are not copyrighted. The second is finding visuals for topics that are kind of abstract or philosophical. I will when I can! If you have ideas let me know. 🙂
Check out my new free-mini course and other courses on early Buddhism, at onlinedharma.org/
I was a Theravada monk in southern Thailand for a month. I would love to chat. I had to go to the source and it’s interesting how it gets translated into Western Society.
Okay I see you Doug. Disregard my latest comment. I get very passionate about this because as the Dalai Lama stated, “ if your Christian stay Christian.” That’s a message you society at large but also true because inevitably in any Buddhist practice you come to terms either the fact that no one is giving to save you. The Buddha taught you how to free yourself, not save yourself. Peace and love. Good stuff doug
Hey dug did another buddhist where aware of another buddhist.
Talking about Buddhism, this will give you Power! ua-cam.com/video/FAsCMaqSrmY/v-deo.html
Buddha said: “I teach one thing and one thing only: suffering and the end of suffering,” which is the ultimate goal of Buddhism.
Indeed so Yuron Long, the Buddha's focus was suffering and its end. Interestingly though there is dispute about the "only". (Something I only recently realized as well!) tricycle.org/magazine/i-teach-only-suffering-and-end-suffering/
Yuron Long... It could be argued that's 2 things 😉😁
Nope ur wrong.he taught few ways (there r among many other) to be liberated from life death circle.
@@birju4333 there is only onw way to reach enlightenment i.e. eight fold path
@@birju4333 "Nope ur wrong" is one of the last things I'd ever expect to hear from someone who claims to practice Buddhism.
It's AMAZING to me that we have this knowledge at our fingertips in this age. The knowledge in this video would have taken an entire lifetime of travel and study across many distant countries.
Yes the internet is amazing, I myself have learned so much from the material published online!
Epic bro
Indeed, we can learn so efficiently now. It’s really worlds away from even a few decades ago. Thanks for this.
Though travelling and studying across many countries a lifetime long, would have had the knowledge a completely different reach and meaning.
Theravada is the true teachings of the Buddha the others have truth mixed with human added dogma much like a lot of Christian churches
7:16 mahayana
2:39 therevada
11:47 vajrayana
Introduction is also way..... Tooooo long
Thanks bro
@@kelvinseah8258 only 2 minutes and a half
Is vajrayana fourth school ?
I am 51 years old. And just in the last week, have been interested in learning about Buddhism. I am glad I came across your channel. You are a good teacher. I have subscribed to your channel. Thank you.
That's nice to hear Florinda, I hope you find the videos useful. 🙂
Im from Thailand. And This channel gives me more reliable information than my 12 years in school
Glad to be of help TeenwerT! 🙏🙂
Being a mahayana Buddhist I request u that question and criticise us and on buddhism as much as u can. Blind faith is the cause of decline of buddhism. U have lots of knowledge of buddhism, so whenever u meet a Buddhist plz must ask so many question . Thanks for learning and teaching buddhism behalf of all Buddhist.
Thanks Albert, yes I do agree it’s very important to be curious and ask questions. You’re very welcome!
This is quite a different take from Western religions.
Buddha said, " question everyone & everything...including me" !
@@LiquorWithJazz dhramic faiths (hindu, buddhist, jains, sikhs), encourages questioning.
Pure truth path vipasana meditation
Hi Doug! I've been attracted to buddhism for a long time, but every time I try to study or practice it I feel overwhelmed and I don't know where to start, your videos are helping me a lot, so thank you so much for doing this ✨ I'm sending you good wishes from Argentina!
That’s great Mielsita, you’re very welcome and thanks for the comment! 🙏
Hi Doug! I found your channel maybe two years ago at the beginning of quarantine and now two years later I’ve fully found myself as also a secular buddhist.
In many ways, I’ve found you to be my “guru” or teacher when it comes to learning more about buddhism and finding new methods and concepts shared in the pali canon and other texts of early buddhism that has really resonated and affirmed my beliefs. Like what you say in every intro of your videos, I’ve found myself becoming kinder, wiser, and living a more fulfilling life.
I think what I’m trying to say with this message is thank you for making these videos. Without it, I wouldn’t have realized how compatible buddhism is to my life as someone who has left roman catholicism and faced many times I felt adrift, bouncing between athiest and agnosticism. Keep up the good work and I hope to see more videos soon!!
Hey that's great to hear! Thanks for the comment and please keep in touch! 🙏😊
At 54 I’m wanting to expand my knowledge and understanding of Buddhism as feel this could be a path for me. Thank you for these amazing videos
You're most welcome! 🙏
i’m just getting into Buddhism and only beginning my research, and your videos have already been so helpful in forming my understanding of Buddhism as a whole and where I see myself fitting in with my personal practice. thank you so much for your clear and direct explanations!! 🖤
You're very welcome Hope, glad to help out!
Thanks Doug, another excellent video. It's always been fascinating to see how people of different spiritual ideas incorporate local beliefs. Christianity is rife with it and Buddhism is no exception. You mentioned the Hindu connections. Tibetan Buddhists absorbed aspects of the Bo tradition. Chan, later Zen, happily includes Taoist ideas. Now we are seeing how the different schools are adapting to Western lifestyles and we can compare the same schools with the way they work in other parts of the world.
A Christian evangelist acquaintance insists that all Christian denominations, at least the ones he approves of, have the same core beliefs. I hope we can all remember the roots of Buddhism. Your series of talks helps that ideal a lot.
Thanks so much martynsnan. Yes, as you say the adaptation continues today where contemporary ideas are changing Buddhism, making it a more secular practice. That will work for many of us but not all, and that's fine so long as we retain that ethical core of kindness, compassion, generosity, wisdom. The best of Christianity follows the same approach, and it's one we should celebrate. 🙏
Doug, my experience sitting with the three schools has been pretty much identical to yours. I sat with a Tibetan group for a few months in Rochester NY. The meditation room was exquisitely decorated with ornate tapestries, sculpture, beautiful pillow seating with little sort of desks on the floor for the exquisite little spirals of printed chants we were given. Some people robed. Seated in a u. Good meditation leaders. I sat with a zen like group a couple of times in oyster bay Long Island aligned with plum village. It was not for me. Everyone spoke in whispers. It was overly reverential, I felt like I was in a cleared out reception room of an old mansion, which we were. It just felt forced to me. The Theravadan Long Island Buddhist meditation center in port Jeff and now moved to riverhead was for me. As you say, very egalitarian even though it was led by very skillful monks. They explained everything. We stared with chanting, then readings from the Pali canon where we went around the circle and read aloud, then two meditations… metta followed by breath. The monks were associated with bante g and the Vihara in West Virginia. Some people left as they they got hung up on the issue of rebirth. I’m agnostic on this. I don’t care. But it was a barrier to some. I feel they might have been more content if they just let it go.
Yes I think it matters a lot to some traditional practitioners, and is a barrier to many others. Best to leave it aside and let each person decide for him or herself. Glad to hear you had similar thoughts! 🙏😊
I really agree with the secular buddhism, but i also respect to others school😇🙏
May all beings be free from suffering..
May all of u be happy 😇
That's right candra, thanks and be well! 🙏
Really good video and I appreciate you trying to be as open and honest on this.
Thanks, I try!
Great video ! This video gives me a quick overview of major schools of buddism
Thanks for letting me know Kenny. Glad you found it useful!
I'm very thankful for this video, I've been trying to find a simple explanation of the different types. Thank you very much for making it!
You're very welcome!
Thank you for this 🙏
Is all so confusing when you are just starting out. Have been following Theravada practise as again, i just stumbled across it from by chance. You have clarified that it is definitely the right for me so thank you for that. Really interesting, really appreciated......
🙏
Wonderful!
It should be noted that this isn't a strict separation. For example, the Plum Village tradition founded by Thay Nhat Hanh, is an off shoot of Thien, or Vietnamese Zen, which blends Zen/Chan and Theravada Buddhism.
Yes that's right Robert. All these distinctions are limited and conventional.
Thank you, Doug! That's awesome that someone can explain such things so simply and clearly. I was introduced to Buddhism through Mahayana because have lived in South Korea for a bit. So, I have a silly question: is it appropriate to go to a Theravada temple or a local Theravada community for a person that follows Mahayana? There're no such things in my region, only in a city that is 600 km away and it's not really popular in my country in general, so I don't have a choice but go there.
Wish you the best. Greetings from Russia!
You're very welcome Clover_ru! I don't see any problem with your going to a Theravāda community, and I'm sure they'd be happy to have you there. You might find some of their interpretations of the dhamma slightly different from what you had learned earlier but if you're OK with that I expect it should be fine. If you have any questions just ask them about it.
Growing up from a family lineage practising Pure Land Buddhism in Singapore, I remember when I was a kid my parents started me off by sending me to a Sri Lankan Theravada temple to learn the Four Noble Truths, the Eightfold Paths, the 10 precepts, Samatha meditation and some Theravadin suttas from a Theravadin monk. Couple of years later, they sent me to a Pure Land buddhist temple to learn more about Bodhisattvas' vows and Compassion, Amitabha's vows and the 3 Pure Land sutras from Pure Land monks. If someone asks me what is my religion.. my answer is always... I'm a Buddhist. I don't and will never be very specific by saying I'm a Pure Land or Mahayana Buddhist. I personally feel there shouldn't be any form of branding in Buddhism. Even today I go to both Theravada and Mahayana temples and whichever I go to, I am always welcomed by the temple monks and devotees. Distinguishing oneself and claiming one Buddhist tradition or school is better than the rest is not Buddhism. According to the Dharma (sanskrit)/Dhamma (pali) our historical Lord Buddha Sakyamuni didn't teach us to think as such.
Thanks for your thoughts on this A Tan. I think it depends on our interest. Some people like a syncretic approach to Buddhist practice, but others don’t. Some people prefer a more devotional practice, others less. So it’s good to know the differences in case you weren’t aware that there was a form of practice that was more appropriate to your own lifestyle and approach.
Hi Doug. I’m loving these videos. I started with zen, mostly getting my teachings from Insight now and also exploring Navayana. These videos are so great for myself and to send to my friends who are drawn to Buddhist meditation. Do you have any where you explain the history of relative & absolute realities? Also Faith? Would love to see that. Thank you!
Sure, I have a couple of videos on the Two Truths, the first one is here: ua-cam.com/video/qL_sspJzQx8/v-deo.html , and a couple on faith as well, here: ua-cam.com/video/xuhyuHb-9X4/v-deo.html and here: ua-cam.com/video/JcKbIKRdIZw/v-deo.html
@@DougsDharma ❤️🙏🏽🌷
Would very much enjoy a deep dive into the different Zen schools (Korea, Chinese, Japanese, etc)! Thank you Sir!
Thanks for the idea BossZen. It would require a great deal of additional study on my part to do that, but maybe someday. Have you seen my earlier video on the history of Zen? ua-cam.com/video/lRAW-GN4TUA/v-deo.html 🙂
Vajrayana has a surprisingly large influence in the US, as compared to the other two schools. Apparently in the early 1900s, or late 1800s, Buddhist missionaries from Tibet and Nepal came over and built vajrayana temples, specifically dedicated to drikung kagyu
Yes, Vajrayāna and Tibetan Buddhism generally has had an outsized effect worldwide I think. But exactly the history of that I'm not sure of. Certainly the exile of the Dalai Lama accelerated it.
SINCE you asked for comments.....here goes! Secular Bhuddist, that sounds about right, at this point. Me, schooled in Zen, Zen, Zen Tripple ZEN lately I've been investigating Catholizim but just can't get with the Virgen Mary stuff and you are in NY as I am, sooooooooooooooooooHello. I will be enjoying your going forward and in the near future.
Glad to hear it berit, thanks!
I appreciated the video very much, however found it interesting that Thailand, where Theravada Buddhism is the official religion was not mentioned. I say this because I mostly follow the Thai Forest teachings. Also some of the most beautiful Buddhist temples can be found there.
Ah yes Lina, I don't recall but if I left out Thailand it was an oversight of mine.The Thai forest tradition is a wonderful source of meditation teachings.
Hey Doug. Thanks for the post!
The last two responses I've made to 'Buddhist' posts have not been all together positive...Im not a troll 😁 lol)
Not so with this post... 😀 I thought I would mske mention of the previous 2 people and make a couple of additional comments re: my own experiences.
I feel thar coming from primarily Christian background and upbringing / school etc, it's actually quite a, long - shot that someone like me (UK Born) would have the good fortune to comr into contact with The Dharma. Let alone from thar small first brush - develop a regular practice, begin studying, find a teacher and a centre.
So that first 'brush' i mentioned. It's so SO important (IMHO) thst this brush id is of ths best quality possible... Or if stated negatively : Is NOT of a poor quality, ie being given duff information due to... Overecuberance of the
" themselves - newly - converted" 😀🙄 Or worse still, again being fed duff information by individuals with some alterior motve which is AT BEST merely thier own self - promotion.
I always feel something of a burdensl when discussing Buddhist Teachings with a 'new' person. Im ÜBER - careful for fear 😱 of saying the wrong thing, something thst will turn people off instead of on.
Just FYI i do not go about evangelising lol. I hsve one friend who is very fond of declaring to anyone with a padsing interest - "Stu's s Buddhist you should tslk to him!" i did Jukai in 2010 snx and have never felt the need to identify myself as sucheven once in all thst time.
Which brings me morev onto the topic of your post. I smiled when you said something alomg the lines of "Mahayana 'tends' to be... 😀 ' scuppered already before you had even started. As soon as we open our mouths snd words come out we begin contradicting ourselves.
I practice Soto Zen. Thsts where my hat has endedvup being hung. I moved house 13 years ago to be with my (now) wife. This just hsppens to be 30 minutes drive from Throssel Hole Buddhist Abbey. Jiyu Kennett who started the Abbey in the early 70's along with Shasta Abbey in CA USA 🇺🇸 one of her books (Zen is Eternal Life?) she has a paragraph entitled :
ZEN IS A RELIGION.
Her history is very 'churchy'. Wanted to be a Christian priest or monk ideally - initially anyway. When she returned from Japan she re-did everything in an occidental style. Chants in English to plain song. Lots of ceremonial stuff.
I have an unhappy history with Christianity so im not particularly keen on that side if things. But i use it to practice with when im there.
If i wsx in the US I would seek out Steve Hagen at Dharmafield in Minneapolis. Over the years they have reduced to s minimum thr ceremonial stuff, in fact they don't even have a Buddha Statue on the altar... Judt s huge rock.
I am a member of the audio section soni get my talks there snd some courses (in the middle of Nagarjuna at the moment)
So here we have 2 Mahayana practitioners set up thier own places and they couldn't be more different. And not only thst, they were both ordained with Soto Zen snd spent time at Soji-ji in. Yokahama.
It really is difficult trying to categorise anyone... Even if on paper they should be the same.
I do lean very much more towards living by the Precepts. Regular sitting practice. Mix thst up. With a few sesshins a year. And then AAAALLLLL the rest of thr time judt keep coming back. Keep coming back. No chastisement - judt recognise, and you sre already back.
The 2 previous podts were one girl who was telling all her 'followers' how she got into Buddhism. Hsndl8ng it like a make - up tutorial. But she was TEACHING IT. And she said about 5 or 6 things thst were judt pants!
I felt bad pointing these things out, but I felt worse forvsny potential new people later on Googling thr Zen. Percepts.
Last thing. The guy was a whole different can of worms. I csught him indicating he had had an Awakening working on the Koan "what is the water?"?
Podts on How to do Zazen. Hechad even started having meetings. I asked him to confirm whst hr had said. Where he practiced and who his teacher was.
Still don't know 🙄🤔😏 but within hours he had posted an apologt to his followers about exaggerations he had made. THAT video was gone but I don't doubt he will be at his guru nonsense again before the year's end.
Such a shame. This / thst may be the only chance some of his poor followers ever get... 😕
Most Zen folks don't take stories and sutras /teachings necessarily to be true. Big issue with the bible people. Butbit is difficult to work out where Zen ends and Japanese culture begins... Watching stuff on NHK about Japan im blown awsy at how "Zen" their whole culture actually is.
Sorry for the Novella. And thanks for passing on a simple message witj no strings! 😃
Thanks for that Something Wonderful, yes it's pretty impossible to summarize enormous schools of thought like these in a short video. I did what I could but there are a lot of asterisks, and especially with a practice like Zen that is so odd in many ways! 😄
Thank you I’ve been trying to find a school of Buddhism that kind of fits me
Glad to help!
Great talk. Are you able to make a video on the lineages within these schools please?
Thanks Jemima! Doing a talk on lineages is something I might do eventually if I can find some good concise scholarly info on them and think it might prove interesting. But it would take research! 🙂
I'm quite new to Buddhism, but I was involved for a time with Soka Gakkai International, however, I found them too insular, irrational and sectarian. I am now mostly involved with an organisation known as The School of Philosophy and Economic Science which focuses on Advaita Vedanta and Greek philosophy. I really like it because it's totally open to anyone from any belief system. I think the Buddhism that most attracts me is Secular Buddhism, and I have the book Confession of a Buddhist Atheist which you recommended in another video which I still need to read!
Great, thanks for the comment!
Vegitarianism is ambiguous in Buddhism. There were two conflicting principles: (1) the precepts "do not kill" and "do not eat any meat that was killed specifically for you." This rule led to the tradition that all meals made specifically for monks were vegetarian. (2) But there was another rule that a monk was to eat whatever was placed in their begging bowl, as long as any meat is a left-over from the family's own meal and not killed and cooked for the monk. These rules were balanced on an individual basis as best at the person could.
Yes I have an earlier video on such controversies: ua-cam.com/video/r5oncPD7jKo/v-deo.html
I used to be into Vinayana until I found out the political roots of Tibetan Buddhism and started questioning its ideology, which I then found out was influenced by local Hindu Tantra. I had some interest in some Mahayana schools, namely Zen, until I read into the roots of Mahayana and saw its deviation from The Buddha's teachings and the very strong influence of culture and ritual, and ritual is something that is not to be clung to by a stream enterer. So I stick to Theravada. Im planning to ordain asap.
Well I'm glad you found the school that is right for you!
@@DougsDharma i definitely don't want to be hostile to the other schools, because they taught me a lot. I dont doubt the enlightenment of people following other schools, but I feel Theravada is the proper way for me at least.
Is there any video available on Nichiren Buddhism in Doug'" Dharma
ua-cam.com/video/vpeF669f-i8/v-deo.html
I do vipasaana meditation in the tradition of SN Goenka G
Glad to hear it, I hope it’s going well!
Thankz, Doug!
You're very welcome MC!
Mahayana seems to be heavily influenced by Hinduism and deviated from earlier scriptures; Devas, gurus, supernatural powers, magic etc which are considered unimportant to attain enlightenment in Pali scriptures (Theravada)
Every religion has different sects that has own understandings.
Thats a very common thing in religious realm
Ahh religion ....
Very true ...
I belong from a Vajrayana buddhist sect. My question is are all Rinpochhe who has reincarnated Bodhisattva. ?
Very interesting and astute another work on tantracism you may find interesting is "Sakti and Sakta" Sir John Woodroffe. Interesting the way that term "tantric" has been mutilated. Just because the Book of Solomon is in the Bible dosen't mean one can say they had "Biblic" Sex.Surprisng how much tantra in principle relates to the Tao. Being fortunate enough in my 20's to have an older co worker/boss who intrudced me to "The Awakening of Faith" Hakeda and Suzuki and the Evans Wentz "Tibetan Book of the Great Liberation". (also work's likes Merton's seeds of contemplation) however I took the practices of cessation an clear observation as prescribed in The Awakeng of Faith. For many years they have led to increases in understanding and perhaps some insiight. No Guru, but hey I'm 77 and still ticking. Anyway about Mantra aand Mudra. So Mantra works by giving the left pareital lobe something to do which can allow access to a spectrum of Alpha states so it's pretty psychologically sound. For years I wondered how Mudra works ((fortunately because I wass trained as a classical pianist I wonder about things like that) but then didn't
tink much of it though I thought there must be a reason and then began looking at the Mudra as in motion gesturing so one mnight I was sitting on my couch monkeying around with Mudra's and pretending root gesture instead of stylized versions startednwithe lowest went to the crown the next thing I new it there was a radient warm felling moving up the spine leading to an inspiring state somewhere in the trascendent function and my disdain for Sat Chakra Nirupana did a 180. I have since refined the process and use it every 5 to ten years over the last 30 years as a way to shake off unwitiingly entrnched attitudes of self conscious self reflection and every now and then it's good renewal. However such states are transitory and although helpful as nudges they are just yet more activities of minds predisposed to take projecions for real. So in the end "Cessation and Clear Observation have taken precedence as the only necessary practices for me. Bohdidharma was right in his reply to the Emperor's inqiry as to who stands before him? "Don't know" It's kind of nice that way, don't you think?
where does Vipassana fit in here?
Vipassana is part of modern Theravāda.
I thought early in the video, you said Mahayana didn't focus much on non-duality or emptiness, but then later you said both Mahayana and Vajrayana both focus on those things as a commonality. Can you explain more? Love the channel btw!!
Thanks BippityBoopity! As to the video, I'm not sure what you were reacting to, I would imagine I was talking about Theravāda not focusing much on non-duality or emptiness. If you find me saying that about the Mahāyāna it's a mistake! 😄
I started out in Shambhala Buddhism, which is almost like a secular kind of Buddhism. However, I found there were issues with this particular branch of Tibetan Buddhism. For example, the Sakyong was accused of many instances of sexual abuse and manipulation. It was very distressing for me because I really liked practicing in their center. However, I don't feel too comfortable practicing there now. The book we first read was "The Path of the Warrior," which was pretty interesting. I also went to a few retreats within the Shambhala centers. Although I remember we may have recited a few mantras, it focused on meditation and did not really go into the devotional stuff as much. Otherwise, it seemed very secular to me. I wonder what you thought about the recent scandal within Shambhala Buddhism and about the secular kind of practice?
I think the scandal is really sad. I did a video on the general topic awhile back: ua-cam.com/video/SMlYDHW9EVY/v-deo.html
Shambhala was really started by Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche in the 60s, claiming to be a separate lineage (although heavily informed by Nyingma and Zen). It was designed as a way to make Tibetan Buddhism palatable to Westerners, particularly the hippies of the time. Although brilliant, Trungpa was a very controversial figure and unfortunately several of his proclivities including sexual proclivity and alcoholism were passed on to his son, who ultimately caused the demise of what was one of the largest Sangha’s in terms of buildings, colleges and centers. They still practice in some cites under a reformulated structure.
Shambhala is not as historic as other Tibetan lineages such as the Kagyu, Nyingma, Sakya and Gelug. My experience has been with Shambhala and Gelug, both of which are very different but have similar teachings pervading. I do agree that Shambhala feels very secular and feels very similar to the Theravada center I have been visiting lately.
Unfortunately similar scandals have been seen all over, including in Theravada schools such as Against The Stream and even yoga schools like Bikram.
This often seen manipulation of guru yoga has even lead to the Dalai Lama advising against guru yoga.
I've always been confused about all these different words in Buddhism and which of them belong to which school. Like Dzogchen, Vipassana, Mahamudra etc...
Yes, that's what 2500 years of history will do ... 😄
If I may share, the monastics discipline or 'vinaya' is very important. It is the reason why whatever stream a Buddhist adherent is from, he/she will pay respect to a monastic of any school. To Buddhists, monastics are more than dharma teachers. Lay Buddhists should learn how to interact with a monastic properly.
This is true Dennis, thanks.
Wonderful video. Thank you. 😊 I have always thought of life in a rationally optimistic and secular way. I won't get into the story here, but when I'd first read of Theravada, I was truly astonished.
The struggle now is finding a means of studying here... Tennessee, of all places! But videos like these and discourse with alike minds helps greatly. ❤
That’s great Jonathan, glad to hear it! 🙏🙂
very knowledgeable session.
Thank you for your kind comment Sreekumar. 🙏
I really enjoyed yur explanations so thank you. But I have this overhanging question. . How does the concept of karma (in terms of passing on karma at the time of death to a newborn life) exist along side concepts such as emptiness, no self and lack of essence?
Yes this is an age-old question in Buddhism. Although my approach is secular in that I don’t really pay much attention to issues of rebirth, I’ve done various videos that deal with issues surrounding personal continuation, one you might find interesting is this: ua-cam.com/video/IaH3fLhO3Xc/v-deo.html
@@DougsDharma Thanks so much for your time. I will take a look
There were so many universities of Buddha in india like takshashila ,not a school ...
These are typically known as "Schools".
E.g., en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schools_of_Buddhism
www.britannica.com/topic/eighteen-schools
www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/buddhistworld/schools2.htm
@@DougsDharma sir how naland a university is destroyed.
Despite watching this video, I still find it difficult to figure out which school would fit me. I do consider myself atheist, I don't really believe there will be an afterlife or that I'd be reborn. I live in Finland so I wouldn't have a possibility for a group or a teacher and as a student, I wouldn't be able to afford to have one anyway. Theravada does feel the most suitable for me, but again I don't believe in rebirth or reincarnation.
Any thoughts?
Well on my channel you'll see quite a bit about secular Buddhism which is what mostly draws me in terms of my personal belief and practice. It can be practiced many ways, but I think is easiest to do with a Theravāda/Vipassana structure derived from early Buddhism. You can find material online, that might be the easiest way to go for now. But see my video on what to do if you don't have a local meditation group: ua-cam.com/video/-rEKVKsV2iU/v-deo.html
BUDDHA BLESS US ALL AS ALWAYS
OM MANI PADME HUM
NAMO BUDDHAYA
Buddha attained nirvanna
That means his existance is completely done.
If you know definition of Nirvanna, you'll understand what i mean.
I mean Buddha can't bless people anymore.
Just out of curiosity, what sect of buddhism do you follow?
Is there any centre for secular buddhism in Pathanamthitta dist in Kerala in India
I don't know.
Hello ! I´m presently in a relation with Nichiren Buddhism in wich Nichiren is considered the latter day of the law buddha and as superior in relation to Shakyamuni buddha(the historical buddha 4th of this eon) . They consider all of the prior teachings before the Lotus sutra ( supreme for them) provisional and of little or even none relevance as to compared with Lotus Sutra... I´m trying to further investigate this position in the GOSHO wich are letters Nichiren wrote to followers and some treatises.... if any one has any view on this I will very welcomelly attend it... thank you and see you along th path !!!!
Is attending a school mandatory? Or can we practice it at home
Sure, you can practice as you like. Though it can be helpful to practice with others.
My introduction to Buddhism came through Zen, specifically Soto and more recently the Kwan Um School. I think Zen and, to a certain degree, Vajrayana are the most visible entry points for westerners. I’ve had good experiences in practicing with these approaches, and I’ve been curious to learn more about the ins and outs of Vajrayana. Thanks for your videos!
My pleasure!
Thoughts on Nichiren Shoshu Buddhism (NOT SGI) ???
It's not a form of Buddhism I know a lot about. My interest is more in the early tradition. Though I do intend at some point to learn more! 🙂
Omg I believe in Buda ty for making the vid
You're very welcome Miriam, thanks for your comment!
Hi everyone
I'm a teacher and psychologist from Iran
I'm very interested in Tibetan Buddhism
Who can help me plz?
I have another video out on Vajrayāna Buddhism, which has been very influential in Tibet: ua-cam.com/video/YVZGzgFbnGg/v-deo.html
Hey Doug! I have a friend his name is Ksitigarbha. Maybe you’d like to meet him! ☸️🙏☸️
Is there any conversation with dalai lama on Buddhism
If yes
Pls upload it
The Dalai Lama has many discussions and conversations on Buddhism, but you will have to go to his channel to look for them! 😀
I did a video on some of his ideas awhile back: ua-cam.com/video/s0SBxp5Hpok/v-deo.html
@@DougsDharma yes 👌🏼
Thanks
Bhavatu sabb Mangalam 🙏🏼
What is your take on the Dhammakaya sect of Buddhism from Thailand?
Well really I don't know enough about them to have an informed opinion.
What about zen/chan?
It's a part of the Mahāyāna. You can see my video on the history of Zen here: ua-cam.com/video/lRAW-GN4TUA/v-deo.html
Hi Doug, just curious which school of thought do you follow?
I did a video about that awhile back: ua-cam.com/video/yTxKgz8MeWg/v-deo.html
Introduction too long - video good content , informative but could be summarised in third of time and would be effective as it is .
Few terms not clear , can I ask ( video 6 y old and not sure , comments can reach the presenter).
Some body said comments ? Vijay…. Is it fourth school
those are not school of buddhism but sects/branch of buddhism. there is big difference b/t school and sect.
Well, they are called "schools" here: www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/history/comparative.htm here: tricycle.org/trikedaily/buddhist-traditions/ and here: ua-cam.com/video/aCA6ioTLw-Q/v-deo.html for example.
How many did buddha teach. ?
If you mean the historical Buddha, then arguably he didn't teach any of them: there are aspects of each school that did not come from the early teachings.
I’ve been having a hard time finding simple explanations about Buddhism. I appreciate the fact that you’re breaking things down logically, before getting into all of the philosophical stuff.
Thanks Anna, yes I'm trying to make it understandable to folks without too much philosophical background or interest. There will be some videos that have more of that kind of material however. Just depends on the topic. 🙂
@@sifusanticriado spot on
Wow, this is incredibly helpful. Thank you!
Also just read or watch videos from alan watts. You will see the true meaning to karma and what zen is, a mixture of Daoism and Buddhism. The popular version of Buddhism or Hinduism has a lot of misleading ideas. Alan watts will give clarity.
@cloudfloat4179
Alan Watts is good. There is a reason why so many people came to understand these things through his lectures/teachings.
2:37 Theravada Buddhism
- Insight Driven
- Focus on the historical buddha
- Less Ritual
- Less Hierarchical
- Rational and Conceptual Clarity in their teachings
- Uses interpreted texts
- Become awakened reduce greed, hatred, ignorance does not focus on buddha nature
- Very strict monks
7:21 Mahayana Buddhism
- Encompasses Zen, Tibeten, Pure Land Buddhism
- Devotional Driven (robes, incense, bells, elaborate rooms)
- Mantra and ritual based practice
- Guru and Teacher based. You would
- Very relaxed monks
- Break reliance on Reason to understand the world. More non-rational.
- Uses more modern texts
11:46 Vajrayana Buddhism
- Tantric Buddhism
- Intensely guru based, typically work with one teacher for years and years
- Intensely hierarchical
- Devotional Focused
- Initiation rights to bind to gods, gurus, etc.
- Mantras, Mudras
- Texts are VERY powerful
- A lot of aspects are kept secret and not able to be studied without leacher (sex, alcohol, etc. )
Thanks, I've added the timestamps to the video! 🙏
I know this is an old vid but I just found this now and as someone interested in Buddhism this is so informative and easy to digest. Trying to find info about the schools through self research was sooo confusing
Yes that's right Unhøly, it's one reason I wanted to make these videos! 😀
Thank you so much for this video!
I left the Jehovah’s Witness religion with my husband last summer. We’ve decided Christianity isn’t for us, so we’re exploring eastern spirituality. We feel as if it represents us better.
We are going to a Buddhist temple tomorrow, and by watching this video, we are much more informed- and prefer the Theravāda temple!
Hey nice to hear, all the best on your journey, Peach!
Sadhu Sadhu Sadhu...
Sādhu Sādhu Sādhu
I first know Buddhism when I was 7 years old through my Dad. I read some Mahayana Sutras ,I find it long and quite hard for me to understand. Meanwhile I later read the 5 Nikaya Pali Sutra (which I believe they belong to Theravada Buddhism), I find them simple and easier to understand. The context in Pali Sutra is close to ancient Indian lives, many simple examples Buddha use to explain his teachings.
Yes I also find them simpler and easier to understand, more down-to-earth practices. Thanks Lona!
@@DougsDharma but down to earth doesn't always mean truth...sometimes truth is complicated...
For sure!
Mahayana mantras are more complicated as they're Chinese, the hardest language in the world for English speakers. But to make it more simple, is to find the pronunciation version of the mantra.
Great overview! Even though I’ve considered myself Buddhist for a decade and been to one of Thich Nhat Hahn’s monasteries and did a day of mindfulness, read many books, and taught meditation groups, I still get the different schools confused and overlapped mentally. Granted, I mostly take what’s helpful for me and leave the rest. Great vid. Best wishes.
Thanks so much Bob. Yes, a lot of us tend to pick and choose from the various traditions, which is fine so long as we don't get too confused! 😄
As someone who is recently convinced by the core ideas of the four truths and eightfold path, I’m conflicted, because I’m drawn towards the rationalism in Theravada, but I’m also drawn towards the compassion towards others and the bodhisattva vows and so forth in mahayana. I don’t care for devotional practices, but I feel rituals in general have a practical purpose of spiritual centering/re-centering and strengthening conviction if that makes sense. Meanwhile the very few western/secular buddhists I have met seem to largely be interested in adopting only the aesthetic of a buddhist while cherrypicking concepts and practices that match pop psychology and the self-help industry, ultimately more interested in personal improvement for the end goal of material benefits rather than a cessation of suffering in either the self or others. But I can’t help be drawn to the idea of secularism as an empiricist myself. But this is the perspective of a prospective outsider, just voicing my frustration with not feeling like any school is a good fit for me rather than trying to disparage anybody
Well so make your own path in the dharma! So long as it helps promote the cessation of suffering, it's headed in the right direction. 😀
Well it helps to realize that each of the schools of Buddhism was created from someone in the past feeling dissatisfied with the options of Buddhism available to them. I don't believe there is any right or wrong path in life. Simply what is right or wrong for each individual.
That was my long-winded way of agreeing with Doug; forge your own path.
@@DougsDharma hear, hear.
@@lucalinadreemur9448 It goes deeper than that. The forerunner to Mahayana, the Mahasangika, caused the first schism at the follow up to the second council, mostly because they didn't like the vinaya (the monk's rules) that the Buddha set forth. Notably, they didn't like the rule against eating after midday, or that they couldn't take monetary donations. They then denigrated the achievements of Arhats, saying they're not fully enlightened and not destined to leave samsara after death.
I say this with all love, but the Mahasangika and the Mahayana that grew out of it simply have wrong view. It's not that they haven't done great things or that the hearts of present day Mahayana folks aren't in the right place, as for the most part I think they are, it's that Theravada, despite its own flaws, at least remains fairly close to the Buddha's actual teachings. The Mahasangika movement was instead born out of a faction of monks who just weren't there to achieve the goal of Nibbana and wanted laxer rules so they could freely pursue their own objectives.
It's important to have discipline as well as compassion about these things. It does people no good to follow teachings that don't lead to liberation from suffering. There's schools within Mahayana (as well as Theravada - dry insight comes to mind) that need loving chastisement as their teaching isn't liberating anyone.
It is a normal view within Mahayana Buddhism that a foundation of Hinayana views and practices is of great importance. The different Yanas may seem as different paths with different aims but really they all point towards the same thing, the taming of the mind in order to overcome the causes of suffering and samsara.
The view within Tibetan Buddhism is that one cannot just jump right into the more esoteric type of practices (as a beginner) but we must build a foundation that stem right back to the foundational practices and views taught in the First turning of the Wheel of Dharma (Hinayana) by the Buddha. For any practitioner within the Tibetan tradition the Buddha is considered our founding root source and is placed at the center of the tradition. The path of Varjayana is considered open to us only if we have a thorough understanding of Hinayana and Mahayana first. For a Varjayana practitioner the Buddha turned the Wheel of the Dharma three times, meaning that the Buddha appeared in different forms at different times to introduce a new set of teachings for differently inclined students.
To have a sense of starting from the beginning with the essential teachings taught by the historical Buddha will build an excellent foundation should we feel inclined towards more Mahayana type of practices later. But it is also considered not a problem, nor danger, to start out right away with a practice more inclined towards a Mahayana view either. The view of Mahayana has all the Hinayana views embedded within it and is in no way a contradiction to the First turning of the Wheel of the Dharma. It is more like an expanded form, we can say. Even though Mahayana and Varjayana seems to express more flair and colours those are secondary outwardly appearances, mostly. Both these vehicles requires extraordinary discipline, commitment and focus to be effective. They are not meant for the faint hearted or lazy person, as it sometimes have been portrayed as to be. It is in fact the absolute opposite! The view, commitment and practice of a Bodhisattva is no small thing at all! It should be seen as an culmination of what the heart of enlightenment (Bodhicitta) is all about. When we enter into a Mahayana practice we become an “aspiring” Bodhisattva which entails things such as eternal (not just for one lifetime) commitment towards enlightened aspiration and the sincere will to bringing liberation to all sentient beings. The path towards becoming a Buddha goes through all the stages of being on the path of a Bodhisattva first. That transition may happen as a slow or rapid progression, but no Buddha is said to have appeared without having traversed the ten (or thirteen) stages (Bumis) of a Bodhisattva first. This is the Mahayana view.
It should be noted that the Mahayana (and Varjayana) vehicle(s) of practices are not recognized by all Hinayana practitioners as authentic teachings of the Buddha. Conversely, all practitioners within Mahayana and Varjayana are advised to accept and appreciate the First turning of the Wheel of the Dharma (Hinayana) by the Buddha, at least as being foundational in practice and views.
It may seem puzzling why we have so many different styles, ways and costumes within the Buddhist community? The traditional explanation for that is the different inclinations we practitioners are endowed with. Buddhas and Bodhisattvas appear continuously throughout space and time to teach and help sentient beings overcome their obscurations and achieve the realization of their true nature, or liberation. No teaching will fit all types of beings but the Buddhas are endowed with the infinite capacities to teach in accordance to the inclinations of the students listening. Over time this will form into, what seems to be separate traditions and schools of thought. It is for that reason we always need to look back into the first set of teachings the historical Buddha of our time gave in order not to fall into the trap of sectarianism or “skipping the grade”-type of mentality. No teachings given by the Buddha should be seen as trivial or negligible. It was given to us with full intent and insight knowing it contains no contradictions, if understood correctly.
I almost think Zen has more in common with Taoism than traditional Buddhism, especially in the idea of “non-striving”. They argue that one overcomes the self not through training but through sudden awareness. My Zen teacher would often say “Don’t you know? You are already empty. There is nothing to overcome.” That always stuck with me. Also, how liberal a sangha kind of depends on the school. Soto Zen is pretty lax compared to warrior-esque Rinzai.
Yes indeed Garrity, agreed! 🙏
Interesting idea. Its always confused me a tad how 2 groups in the same school have such polar opposite ideas on conscious use of thier meditation practice as a technique to bring on Awakening (or not, depending on whether Rinzai or Soto). They cannot BOTH BE WRONG? And still commited practitioners in both groups make "progress" and eventually are recognised as having done so by thier teachers? Thank you for the thoughts on Taoism - I have read The Tao Te Ching but did not pick that up. I shall have another look.
Yes. I think of Zen as “Buddhism viewed through the lens of Taoism.” Same teaching, but having a non-dualistic starting point changes the flavor
That's a very good observation! Zen does have a lot in common with Taoism. Chan, the Chinese progenitor of Japanese Zen (the word Zen is derived from Chan) was directly influence by Taoism during its development.
@@MichaelBurtonGahurton
'Cos zen is a mixture of buddhism and taoism which is linking heavily with chinese culture.
Its TAO-ized buddhism.
And also hindu-ized buddhism exists in india.
I love your clarity, humility, and your open minded depictions of the various schools of thought. It is a difficult world we live in and your words are helpful in both dealing with it, and giving the opportunity to still enjoy life. "Live long and prosper." modern Buddhist friend. ;)
Wonderful, thanks for your comments Optimistic Integration. 🙏
I'm not entirely sure why, but everytime I'm having a hard time in my life, I end up finding myself back on your channel. Good material my friend.
Hey that's very nice to hear. I hope it's useful to you! All the best.
Secular Buddhism seems to make the most sense to me. Stories of people remembering past lives and re-birth sound as fantastical as unicorns. But using Buddhism to sharpen your morality and behavior and using meditation to calm yourself, get centered is to me the most important concepts of Buddhism. I've been attending a Buddhist temple in town and they are some of the most non-judgemental and kindest people I've ever met.
Wonderful to hear. Yes, that has generally been my experience as well!
@@DougsDharma
Thanks Doug, a new subscriber here and I appreciate your content.
Hey man. I am from Sri Lanka born in buddhist family. Sri Lanka has only Theravada buddism. We are highly practicing sathipattana meditation in our monasteries. As I think Thailand,Mynmar and Laos like that. If you want to learn in deep come to Sri Lanka.. Namo Buddaya.. Sadu Sadu Sadu...
Thanks NFT! I would like to go there someday!
Thank you very much for your videos. I only discovered them a week ago. They are so very helpful. I have been studying Tibetan Buddhism for a few years because I had easy access to teachers in my area. But I have been struggling to find faith in all the deities, mantras and rituals, which left me feeling not worthy and somehow guilty (even though they say there is no word for guilt in Tibetan). I thought of looking into Zen but suspected that they would have a lot of rituals as well, this time just from a different culture. I like listening to Theravaden talks online, but didn't know where to start finding out more about them.
By chance I found your videos and they are a great help. I am trying to find more clarity which path to choose and I am very tempted to become a secular Buddhist even though I believe in rebirth 😉. I am looking forward to find out more about Buddhas original teachings. Thank you so much
Birgit 🙏
Yes of course Birgit, that’s wonderful! You’re very welcome, I hope you find what is most beneficial! 🙏🙂
Wonderful work Doug, thank you! I woudn't say that Zen is 'irrational' because Dogen is a very rational author, but I would say that Zen uses non-conceptual approach to generate insight as skillful means. Additionally I woudn't say that Vajrayana uses complicated visualization, rather than complex visualizations. I leave here these as suggestions... Your work is amazing, these are just minor points that I think valuable.
Thanks Daniel!
i would say that Dogen's brand of Soto Zen moves away from many of the devotional aspects of Mahayana back towards the insight practices of Theravada. even at the time he saw himself as "returning to original Buddhism," although probably every sect thinks the same.
Interesting, thanks!
I feel inclined to add that when the Mahayana talk about "emptiness" / "void" / "nothingness", we're not being nihilistic. It's a way to communicate the inconceivable nature of reality. As soon as you conceptualize or define "nothing", it isn't actually nothing anymore. This is Buddha nature (as I understand it), and I liken it to the way that people conceptualize God. If God is omnipotent and omnipresent, then all things must be the expression of that perfectly unified, infinite God (the true nature of which is concealed by our limited perceptive faculties). Anyway, I'm obviously a little more on the superstitious side than you are, and I'm way more pedantic; but I thought this would be a fun addition to your already phenomenal introduction. Love your content, man!
Thanks Alexander, yes "emptiness" isn't meant to be nihilism. I discuss the early doctrine of emptiness in another video here: ua-cam.com/video/U1_i6EvYDaY/v-deo.html
It’s a very good explanation Doug! When I first converted to buddhadharma you built my foundation. I myself have been a vajrayana practitioner for some years because I have been attracted to Tibetan Buddhism since a little child, and it’s been the biggest gift of my life to find the teachings, the Buddha, my sangha and my gurus. As my root guru His Eminence Garchen Rinpoche says: “It doesn’t matter if one calls a Buddhist or not, the dharma is love”. Also from a broader view I think it would be very good to mention that every teaching that fits under the 4 seals Is Buddha dharma:
1. All compounded things are impermanent.
2. All contaminated phenomena cause suffering.
3. All things are selfless, or in other words interdependent.
4. Nirvana is beyond extremes( nihilism and eternalism).
This is the teaching of the Buddha.
Thanks XO, glad it's been of help to you! 🙏🙂
As someone new to Buddhism, so much easier to follow than books! I've wanted to learn how to practice for a while but the meditation centre near me is just too expensive for a student :( these are super helpful for teaching myself at home so thankyou!
Great to hear, Phoebe. You're very welcome! 🙏
Sad to hear that a centre charges instead of accepting donations. The internet has plenty of good teachings, but it can indeed be overwhelming and difficult to navigate.
I just would love to say that I’m great full to come across your channel. You organized this video very well. I’m currently 15 years old and very confused in the world and after hearing about Buddhism, I became very interested in the idea of each branch. I found it very hard to find anything with a straight answer so I appreciate having people like you, know exactly what you’re talking about and teaching others. Thank you!
Hey you're very welcome Lynn! Glad to be of help! 😀
me too i want the teaching of buddhism, Im atheist btw but I want to be budhist.
Theravada Buddhism in SE Asia seems to heavily emphasize iconography (featuring Hindu deities), architecture, robes, rituals, aesthetics...
Sure, most traditional Buddhism is this way.
Teravada buddism has no deity. They have deva aka angels.
Well people are conflating angels and deities
Its not about hindu deities but about art adopted from south asia.
Well buddism was spread in southeast asia by an indian (south asian) king Asoka.
He sent missionaries to most parts of asia, buddy
Thank you very much for explaining Vajrayana. I have limited understanding, and I what I have read, I found confusing. Your explanation of Tantra and it's apparent link to Shaivism was also very useful. I recall reading somewhere that the sexual practices and some of the deities in Tibetan Buddhism were due, in part, to the pre-Buddhist animist practices in Tibet being co-opted or mingled with Buddhist teachings from India. It seems clear there was a good deal of interaction between various "religions" in the first few centuries after the Buddha lived; same as today.
Yes, I think this mingling of religions is more the norm than the exception, though there pretty clearly are periods where it is more active and lots happens, and other periods where there is less interchange.
2:39 to get right to the point
Thanks Andre! Takes me awhile. 😄
Excellent explanation regarding the schools of Buddhism. Love your channel.
Thanks Melodie, very kind of you to say. 🙏
I just moved to a new state and one of the closest Buddhist temples to me is a Theravada Buddhist temple. I have been doing more research into that school of Buddhist thought due to proximity for the most part.
thank you for making this video! I've been getting into Nichiren Buddhism lately and this helps me look at the practice from a 10000 foot level, much love from LA
Glad you found it useful Make Major!
Hinayana is considered a perjorative term, and is long out of date. Usually used by Mahayanists who wish to put down the Theravadans and make themselves feel superior. Or used by others who are simply ignorant and don’t know any better.
The correct term is Theravada….the Way of the Elders…or Doctrine of the Elders.
That's right Supayan, although it isn't even clear that "Hinayāna" refers to Theravāda.
@@DougsDharma Thank you for replying. But that's also how Mahayanists pretend to avoid criticisms for their shallow opinion upon the mainstream Buddhism. It's pretty clear that they referred Theravada when they describe that it merely produces arahants, who only seek for own salvation.
I’ve been practicing at a Chan Buddhist center in Northern California. It falls under the Mahayana category. Some of what you said was true for my monastery, but some of it was not.
Overall, my experience has been extremely positive. The center is definitely ritualistic; there’s a lot of singing, chanting, and of course, lots of meditation. The monastery is beautiful and full of statues of bodhisattvas and arhats. Dharma talks from the head abbas are engaging and informative. Like you said, there is a focus on things like emptiness, non-duality, inherent Buddha nature, and other teachings that feel somewhat paradoxical at times. There is a robust community of monastics at the monetary I attend and they are extremely lighthearted and good humored. However, they are strictly devoted. They don’t marry, they don’t drink alcohol, and they are vegetarians.
Thank you for your informative videos!
Amitofo!
Yes, for sure each center will have its own flavor. Thanks for the info! 🙏
I was practicing tibetan buddhism, but after Dalai Lama scandal I'm highly discouraged and now I'm considering to move to Teravada 🤷🏻
Sure, but be aware that no tradition is free from all controversy. 🙏
The closest Buddha temple close to me is 120 miles south of me in Amarillo Tx. I live at the top of Texas panhandle. I need help on my journey of learning.
I have plenty of material!
In matters of faith - even rational- and spiritual journey, one can NEVER be objective. After all, the spiritual journey is always solitary.
And all new reform movements such as your Secular Buddhism, I am sure will eventually end up with your own practices, conventions that will posit into rituals within a matter of 49-50 years.
Kollengode S Venkataraman
🙏😊
Post-Buddhism is fun. Many mindfulness practitioners as myself do not use the label "Buddhist", but use modified Buddist meditation and maybe some insight in Anatta, Anycca and such.
That's great, "Buddhism" is just a label anyway. What matters is the practice.
Great explanation of the three major schools of Buddhism. Thank you. Regards from Mexico :)
You're very welcome! Me encanta Mexico! 🇲🇽
I looked this up and found you and was like... His name is familiar and then i realize, i read your book!!! Cool.
Hey neat, thanks for letting me know!
This helped me a lot :)) thank you!!! Also, a recommendation - I am a visual learner, and I would find it helpful if you could incorporate some!! either way, I’ll keep watching! nice job!!
Thanks Brandon! Yes, I'm a visual learner too. The problem with visuals is twofold: first is finding good visuals that are not copyrighted. The second is finding visuals for topics that are kind of abstract or philosophical. I will when I can! If you have ideas let me know. 🙂
I do believe I just became subscriber #6000 :)
Woohoo!! 🎉