Search found 1223 matches
- Thu Apr 04, 2024 4:15 pm
- Forum: Tibetan Buddhism
- Topic: Shingon?
- Replies: 44
- Views: 6612
Re: Shingon?
To clarify a few things; Deity yoga is a core practice of mikkyō in both Shingon and Tendai, and is more than seeing a statue Shingon is pure mikkyō. Tendai has two aspects, one is exoteric, the other is pure mikkyō. The mikkyō in Tendai is not watered down or "blended" as is often describ...
- Wed Mar 23, 2022 11:25 am
- Forum: Sūtra Studies
- Topic: an analysis of Zhiyi's interpretation of the concept of "dhyana" in his Shi chanboluomi cidi famen
- Replies: 16
- Views: 1176
Re: an analysis of Zhiyi's interpretation of the concept of "dhyana" in his Shi chanboluomi cidi famen
Just to be clear, this pdf file is about how to meditate better, right? This text is more philosophical than practical, as it speaks about the meaning of various terms known to the Chinese at the time, breaks down the meaning and significance of chan, the perfection of dhyana, and the four dhyanas....
- Wed Mar 23, 2022 11:17 am
- Forum: Sūtra Studies
- Topic: an analysis of Zhiyi's interpretation of the concept of "dhyana" in his Shi chanboluomi cidi famen
- Replies: 16
- Views: 1176
Re: an analysis of Zhiyi's interpretation of the concept of "dhyana" in his Shi chanboluomi cidi famen
I think there is definitely a shift in Zhiyi's lectures, as his focus on the Lotus Sutra is more obvious in his later lectures, however I think he was recognised as a Lotus Sutra master long before this - I might be wrong so correction is appreciated. I don't have complete dates of Zhiyi's biography...
- Fri Mar 04, 2022 12:44 pm
- Forum: Tendai
- Topic: Prostrations during Sanrai
- Replies: 3
- Views: 4709
Re: Prostrations during Sanrai
Hi Bryan, Generally speaking, Tendai is an oral school (kuden), meaning teachings should ideally be given verbally from teacher to student. The information on various websites are usually fairly generic in nature, and aimed at helping those new to Tendai to find their bearings. Although prostrations...
- Mon Oct 25, 2021 4:42 pm
- Forum: Tendai
- Topic: Tendai Monasteries for Westerners?
- Replies: 5
- Views: 5343
Re: Tendai Monasteries for Westerners?
There are options, but it isn't so easy as just emailing them and requesting to stay. People often say that Japanese Buddhism doesn't have monasticism, but it isn't true, and also not so simple. Monasticism does occur, but most who are ordained are not monastic, and continue lay life along side temp...
- Mon Oct 25, 2021 11:03 am
- Forum: Tendai
- Topic: Tendai Monasteries for Westerners?
- Replies: 5
- Views: 5343
Re: Tendai Monasteries for Westerners?
In short; no. The only western monestary, which was situated in California, burned down some years ago now. It is now under new leadership, and I think they are planning on rebuilding, but not sure where they are with things. You can find out more info here https://www.caltendai.org/about
- Thu Aug 12, 2021 2:20 pm
- Forum: Tendai
- Topic: Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi in Tendai
- Replies: 68
- Views: 31877
Re: Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi in Tendai
I suspect that these lofty theories were mostly used for attracting donors (just as conducting rituals for this-wordly benefits) and in the end they do not result in more fully enlightened Buddhas but in richer temples and support from aristocratic families. I am referring to kuden which gave rise ...
- Fri Jul 30, 2021 12:55 pm
- Forum: Mahāyāna Buddhism
- Topic: Appearance of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas
- Replies: 20
- Views: 1871
Re: Appearance of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas
I can't speak for other traditions, but in the Japanese traditions Tathagatas are usually depicted with a simple monks robe and hair with a top bun/knot. The acception to this is Dainichi Nyorai (Mahavairochana Tathagata) who is usually depicted wearing a crown and jewelry (but not always). In Mahay...
- Wed Jul 28, 2021 4:24 pm
- Forum: Mahāyāna Buddhism
- Topic: Theravada versus mahayana view on breath meditation and the four frames of reference
- Replies: 26
- Views: 2388
Re: Theravada versus mahayana view on breath meditation and the four frames of reference
Bhikkhu Vimala seems to be perpetuating anti-mahayana rhetoric. For example, he also states that mindfulness of breath is "strictly" an early buddhist and theravada practice. This is incorrect. Coming from Tendai, mindfulness of breath is not only included, but also an integral part of our...
- Fri Jul 23, 2021 1:53 pm
- Forum: Tendai
- Topic: Tendai and Zen comparison
- Replies: 18
- Views: 12563
Re: Tendai and Zen comparison
The Six Gates are a theme that regularly appears in Mahayana texts, such as those by Vasubhandhu (Abhidharmakośakārikā) and Asaṇga, in Pali texts (Digha Nikaya ii.291 and Majjhima Nikaya i.425) as well as the Dhyāna Sutras (Agamas from the Sarvāstivāda school) the latter of which list counting (gan...
- Fri Jul 23, 2021 11:44 am
- Forum: Tibetan Buddhism
- Topic: Tibetan View of Tendai and Shingon Vajrayana
- Replies: 22
- Views: 2482
Re: Tibetan View of Tendai and Shingon Vajrayana
In the teachings I've received from my Tibetan Gelug teachers, these two terms are simply synonyms and identical in meaning. What do you understand the difference to be? I don't know, TBH. I've read various different arguments and discussions on this topic. FWIW in the Tendai and Shingon schools th...
- Fri Jul 23, 2021 10:22 am
- Forum: Tibetan Buddhism
- Topic: Tibetan View of Tendai and Shingon Vajrayana
- Replies: 22
- Views: 2482
Re: Tibetan View of Tendai and Shingon Vajrayana
It might be worth concidering that Tendai and Shingon came to Japan from China in the early 800s and changed little after this - i.e., no new Tantra lineages went to Japan after this period. Even in China, Tantra lineages were still faily "new" at the time of Kukai and Saicho, having been ...
- Fri Jul 23, 2021 10:00 am
- Forum: Tendai
- Topic: Tendai and Zen comparison
- Replies: 18
- Views: 12563
Re: Tendai and Zen comparison
Continuing from my last post; 3. 六妙法門 Liù miào famén (Roku myō hōmon). Six Dharma Gates to the Sublime. This text, like the Sho Shikan, is more of a meditation manual with nuggest of philosophy for goood measure. I find it a disceptive text, as it is short (you can easily read it in a day), and seem...
- Tue Jul 13, 2021 1:44 pm
- Forum: Tendai
- Topic: Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi in Tendai
- Replies: 68
- Views: 31877
Re: Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi in Tendai
I also vaguely remember there being a concept of stages with one stage being "verbal identity". How does full enlightenment (anuttara-samyak-sambodhi) look like in Tendai thought? Going back to your original question, what you mention here are the Six Identities (六卽 Rokusoku). To use Paul...
- Tue Jul 13, 2021 1:27 pm
- Forum: Tendai
- Topic: Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi in Tendai
- Replies: 68
- Views: 31877
- Tue Jul 13, 2021 1:23 pm
- Forum: Tendai
- Topic: Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi in Tendai
- Replies: 68
- Views: 31877
Re: Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi in Tendai
Is it this present moment where we are already fully enlightened Buddhas even without any fundamental change and without getting rid of all defilements (hongaku)? Or is it closer to the older definitions of enlightenment which can be found in the Suttas of the Pali canon? I'm not surprised you're c...
- Fri Jul 02, 2021 4:03 pm
- Forum: Tendai
- Topic: Tendai and Zen comparison
- Replies: 18
- Views: 12563
Re: Tendai and Zen comparison
There isn't, I'm afraid, but there is a dissertation on the paper that is quite detailed
https://repository.arizona.edu/handle/10150/279913
https://repository.arizona.edu/handle/10150/279913
- Fri Jul 02, 2021 10:29 am
- Forum: Tendai
- Topic: Tendai and Zen comparison
- Replies: 18
- Views: 12563
Re: Tendai and Zen comparison
Seishin-sama, would you mind briefly explaining the four meditation manuals by Zhiyi? That might help answer some of OPs questions, at least from the Tiantai/Tendai side. Is there such a thing as "briefly" when it comes to Zhiyi's manuals? :tongue: There are actually more than four, but t...
- Wed Jun 30, 2021 3:22 pm
- Forum: Tendai
- Topic: Tendai and Zen comparison
- Replies: 18
- Views: 12563
Re: Tendai and Zen comparison
is zengyo (preliminary practices) similar to ngondro in Tibetan traditions? Or are the practices different? Although I don't know what ngondro is, a quick google tells me that it is completely different. Tibetan Buddhism is a completely different lineage of Buddhism than Tendai/Tiantai. And Indian ...
- Wed Jun 30, 2021 9:33 am
- Forum: Tendai
- Topic: Tendai and Zen comparison
- Replies: 18
- Views: 12563
Re: Tendai and Zen comparison
That is a lot of questions! :tongue: To what extent does study play in Tendai? Study and practice are the two wings of Tendai. If one is lacking you'll never attain Buddhahood. Therefore study is very important in Tendai. And we don't just study the Lotus Sutra either. In reality, all sutras are imp...