Answers to your Dharma questions

[Palani]

Hi KC,

 

here is my attempt to answer the questions you had raised earlier.  I have taken the liberty to email it to the others as I think that your questions would be of benefit to many of us.

 

Thank you for your questions and I rejoice in your keen interest in the Dharma!

 

Sarva Mangalam!

 

[Palani]

[Palani]

Hi Shoba,

 

Let me see whether I clarify your queries for you

On Sun, Nov 7, 2010 at 9:56 PM, shoba nair <shoba...@hotmail.com> wrote:

Namaste Palani!
 
The following questions might have been covered in previous group discussions...we ask any way..
 
1. What is the essential difference between the many schools of Buddhism? Sangha, Dharma and Buddha is what we believe in and live for, for Greater Oneness...so why so many schools of Buddhism?

There are many different schools of Buddhism due to the way the followers chose to understand and interpret his teachings.  The number of schools in India were about 18!  Basically the 4 main schools that grew out of India after the Buddha, namely, Vaibhashia, Sautrantika, Svantantrika and Madhyamaka. The first 2 schools are part of the Hinayana or Lower Vehicle or Southern Buddhism. They do not exist as schools now, but their teachings have been absorbed or adapted by the other schools.  The other 2 are part of the Mahayana or Greater Vehicle or Northern Buddhism. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_and_Southern_Buddhism 

The major differences between them are:

1. Hinayana or Southern Buddhism: Largely found in South-east Asian countries such as Sri Lankan, Thailand, Burma, Indo-China etc, hence the name Southern Buddhism.  It is known as Hina = "Lower" and Yana = "Vehicle" becuase it was philosphically focused on the lower goal of self enlightenment.  Most the current Hinayana tradition is based on the Theravada (Teaching of the Elders) which is now the oldest surving tradition.  this is the predominant tradition of Sri Lanka and has influenced the rest of South East Asia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theravada
2. Mahayana or NorthernBuddhism: Largely found north of India in countries such as Tibet, China, Japan and Korea.  One exception being Indonesia which is technically the south but was a major Mahayana centre such as Borobudur. The difference between the Svantantrika and Madhyamka schools, just as with all schools, is in the difference in the interpretation of the philosophy.

All the schools agree on the basic teachings of the Buddha and all that we have covered so far. It is also a Buddhist precept not to speak ill of any other school of Buddhism - remember the discussion on Divisive Speech!

 

The Tibetan schools all come from the mix of Madhyamika-Svantantrika historically but are now totally Madhyamaka, following the teachings of Master Nagarjuna from Andhra.

 

Having given you the blurb on the background, let me answer why there are so many.  Basically, becuase everyone dances to a different tune.  The equivalent saying in English is all roads lead to the city of Rome.  So, if the schools came from the original teachings of the Buddha, they will lead you to enlightenment.  The Buddha chose to give different teachings to different people according to their ability and aptitude.  For example, for the monks he pointed the way to meditation and retreats, to the lay people and family holders, he pointed them to other practices and to the kings who wanted to practice Dharma but could not afford to go on retreats due to the affairs of the state, the Buddha gave them a completely different set of teachings.  Since not all teachings were public, not everyone had access to them.  So for them they did not exist becuase the Buddha did not give it to them.  Just the whole philosophy of Vajrayana (Adamantine, Secret or Mantra Vehicle) which is based on similar lines of Hindu tantricism is not recognised by the Hinayana schools.  Even amongst all the Mahayana practitioners not everyone is aware of all the teachings.

 

So as a beginner it is perfectly alright to follow the Madhyamaka teachings of Lam Rim - which is common to all schools - almost!  The above is mouthful for most but over time you will become familar with what you need to. :-)

 
2. The yellow booklet with prayers: Is it possible to get a copy of it please? It would help with incorporating the various practices.
I  shall try to get a soft copy so that you can print it for yourself.

3. The 8 offerings that were discussed:is there an order of priority? At the Altar in our home, the standard offerings are there...now looked upon with yet another understanding coz of Dharma class :-). Freshly cooked rice, dhal & a dollop of ghee is offered as "mahaa nivedhayam"-just something to share :-)
The Hindu offerings are not that different in concept and is differently presented.  Hindus also offer water, incense, flowers, light, food and music.  Perfume, I have not seen.  My mother tends to garland the Buddhas in her house and mine just as she does her Hindu deities! The word "Nivedhyam" is our local for the Sanskrit "Nevidey". II am sure you recognise the rest of the words pretty much.  So the cultural similarities between Hinduism and Buddhism are plenty.  It is only the philosophical perspectives that change.

4. How does the "mind" be in the "heart"? Mind is intellect...heart, the center for emotions. 
Good question, Shoba. I was having discussion with my daughter just 2 hours ago!  In Buddhism, as in Hinduism, the mind is not a physical entity.  It is one of the most complex concepts that we have to navigate on our path to enlightenment.  "Mind for intellect and heart for emotions" is a common perception that arose in science when people conveniently compartmentalised our body and mind functions.  We also have other concepts such as right and left brain for different functions. Modern science has been proving these early concepts to be wrong. Because there is no distinct right or left brain functions, they come from all over - till the next research cycle, of course ;-)

 

In Buddhism, the mind (for now, just remember that it is not the physical entity) is located at the heart chakra and NOT AT THE HEART WHICH IS THE PHYSICAL ORGAN. The heart chakra is part of the metaphysical system of energies in our body.  The Chinese call it the Meridiens (chakras)  and Chi (energy or prana).  There are 5 main chakras in Buddhism and 2 minor chakras - this matches with the 7 chakras in Hinduism.  The heart chakra is where your mind resides.  This is like a repository of all that happens to you from your beginngless life till you reach Buddhahood and beyond.  The repository is not a physical seed but energy of the imprint. So your mind has the imprints of everything you ever saw, said, thought or did or was done to you - from forever.  This is what we call karmic imprints. So whether it is the intellect or emotion, this is where it is registered and reactions also start from here. 

 

Most welcome to share this with fellow Dharma classmates.
 
Namaste!
Shoba

I thank you for your interest and sharing, Shoba!

 

Sarva Mangalam!

 

[Palani]

Hi Chee Meng,

 

You are right.  Namtose is is Kubera who is guarding the North and Virupaksa is guarding the West. Please see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_Heavenly_Kings.  So, I got it wrong and thanks for pointing it out!

 

Cheers/palani

On Mon, Nov 8, 2010 at 12:52 PM, cheemeng oh <cheem...@yahoo.com> wrote:

hi palani,   namtose should be nothern Heavenly king ? --- On Sun, 7/11/10, Palani <lotus...@gmail.com> wrote:

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