difference between theravada and vajrayana
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As above. May I know which one will bring us to æ£æžœ in an efficient manner?
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All will. Since there are enlightened people from all traditions.
Of course, people in each tradition will put down other traditions, saying they are wrong, base, ineffective, etc.
I just don't believe in such sectarian statements.
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which one do u recommend?
Theravada or vajrayana?
I noticed that one is via the path of the arahant while the other is via bodhisattvas.
I've been googling for a very long time n i'm still unable to find the exact difference between these 2.
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I think finding an enlightened teacher is more important than which tradition you go to.
If there is a very enlightened teacher from Theravada, I will learn from him/her. If I find a very enlightened teacher from Zen/Mahayana, I will learn from him/her. If I find a very enlightened teacher from Vajrayana, I will learn from him/her.
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any recommendations of centres for both sect?
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how do i know that the teacher is enlightened? apologies for my questions.
I just want to be sure before i commit on to something.
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Its not easy to tell... you must observe him/her for some time.
Some are open in expressing their enlightenment. For example our moderator Thusness, I am sure he is enlightened. (See http://awakeningtoreality.blogspot.sg/2007/03/thusnesss-six-stages-of-experience.html ) Same for others like simpo, etc.
But Thusness is unfortunately not teaching.
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well..
I'll start searching n post here if i've got further questions.
thanks anyway.
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Hi dangerboi,
I just posted a thread, u can try attending those teachings to learn more.
http://dkomcentre.org.sg/component/content/article/16
You need to understand Dharma deeply before you can really discern a good teacher or not. So it benefits you now to start learning more. No need to rush.
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Just saw this today which is related to what I said earlier on the importance of knowing/learning from someone who is truly in the know.
http://dharmaoverground.org/web/guest/discussion/-/message_boards/message/409958
Daniel Ingram:
I am going to scrupulously avoid the question of mechanism and just state that hanging out with people who know what you wish to know and can do what you wish to do is a very good idea and helps a lot.
M B:
There's a quote from the dhammapada that goes something like: "a fool who associates with the wise if even for a lifetime will no more perceive the dharma than a spoon perceives the taste of soup!"
Another related saying that I recently ran accross is from Zen Master Dogen. He says that if you cannot find an authentic teacher, it's better not to study the dharma at all. Students, he writes, are like wood, and teachers are like wood carvers. In the hands of a master, even bad wood can become something beautiful, because that master carver will see its beauty, and conversely a bad teacher can ruin even a great student. -
theravada is eliminating first 5 consciousness into emptiness. vajrayana is eliminating 8 consciousness into emptiness. For efficient manner depends on your aptitude. For a start, be vegetarianism first and then meditate on Om Mani Padme Hum for both elimination of theravada consciousness and vajra consciousness and attend courses on theravada teachings.
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You may find useful the following
"Basic Points Unifying the Therav�da and the Mah�y�na"
by ven. Walpola Rahula
1. The Buddha is our only Master (teacher and guide)
2. We take refuge in the Buddha, the Dharma and the Saá¹…gha (the Three Jewels)
3. We do not believe that this world is created and ruled by a God.
4. We consider that the purpose of life is to develop compassion for all living beings without discrimination and to work for their good, happiness, and peace; and to develop wisdom (prajñÄ�) leading to the realization of Ultimate Truth
5. We accept the Four Noble Truths, namely duḥkha, the arising of duḥkha, the cessation of duḥkha, and the path leading to the cessation of duḥkha; and the law of cause and effect (pratītyasamutp�da)
6. All conditioned things (saṃsk�ra) are impermanent (anitya) and duḥkha, and that all conditioned and unconditioned things (dharma) are without self (an�tma) (see trilaksana).7. We accept the thirty-seven qualities conducive to enlightenment (bodhipakṣadharma) as different aspects of the Path taught by the Buddha leading to Enlightenment.
8. There are three ways of attaining bodhi or Enlightenment: namely as a disciple (śr�vaka), as a pratyekabuddha and as a samyaksambuddha (perfectly and fully enlightened Buddha). We accept it as the highest, noblest, and most heroic to follow the career of a Bodhisattva and to become a samyaksambuddha in order to save others.
9. We admit that in different countries there are differences regarding Buddhist beliefs and practices. These external forms and expressions should not be confused with the essential teachings of the Buddha.