No beginning, no self: Discovering what I am (not)
Posted: Tue Aug 16, 2011 1:59 am
Hi,
As I posted over in the Theravada forum - Dhamma Wheel - I'm not entirely new to Buddhism, but I'm having to re-learn it all over again. I got interested in it about 12 years ago through Steve Hagen's introduction to Buddhism, then I found myself reading Goddard's Bible and selections from the Tipitaka via Access to Insight. I probably would have described myself as Zen then, though I never really settled on anything. When my practice faded, I was beginning to learn about Pure Land and Nichiren.
I've entered a phase in my life at the age of 30 where I need solid advice from a trusted friend - the Buddha. I've purchased some books to re-introduce myself to the dialectic: Old Path White Clouds by Thich Nhat Hanh (to re-familiarize myself with the biography of the Buddha), In The Buddha's Words by Bhikkhu Bodhi since I remember loving the suttas of the Tipitaka, the Dhammapada, and the autobiography of the Dalai Lama. (I'm a rather scattered reader, reading what needs to inspire me when.)
Like my previous attempt, I don't really have a home in any sect. I have a tattoo of a double vajra with Om Mani Peme Hung written around it - so, I have some affinity for Tibetan Buddhism, but practicing it would be impossible considering there are no lamas beyond a 100 miles radius to learn from. I also have an affinity for Theravada because of its claim to be the most ancient, plus, as I've mentioned twice now, I enjoyed learning from the Tipitaka and Dhammapada. I can't go into more specifics than that.
Without a home, I meditate (when I can, which I'm trying to make more frequent), find myself chanting Om Mani Peme Hung at other times, and read the books listed above at other times. Right now, I'm finding myself concentrating more on what the dharma is and how to live it rather than within which tradition I choose to follow it in. Considering my locational circumstances, I almost imagining myself assuming an eclectic breed of Buddhism, borrowing something from each branch so long as it works towards the goal of living the dharma.
As I posted over in the Theravada forum - Dhamma Wheel - I'm not entirely new to Buddhism, but I'm having to re-learn it all over again. I got interested in it about 12 years ago through Steve Hagen's introduction to Buddhism, then I found myself reading Goddard's Bible and selections from the Tipitaka via Access to Insight. I probably would have described myself as Zen then, though I never really settled on anything. When my practice faded, I was beginning to learn about Pure Land and Nichiren.
I've entered a phase in my life at the age of 30 where I need solid advice from a trusted friend - the Buddha. I've purchased some books to re-introduce myself to the dialectic: Old Path White Clouds by Thich Nhat Hanh (to re-familiarize myself with the biography of the Buddha), In The Buddha's Words by Bhikkhu Bodhi since I remember loving the suttas of the Tipitaka, the Dhammapada, and the autobiography of the Dalai Lama. (I'm a rather scattered reader, reading what needs to inspire me when.)
Like my previous attempt, I don't really have a home in any sect. I have a tattoo of a double vajra with Om Mani Peme Hung written around it - so, I have some affinity for Tibetan Buddhism, but practicing it would be impossible considering there are no lamas beyond a 100 miles radius to learn from. I also have an affinity for Theravada because of its claim to be the most ancient, plus, as I've mentioned twice now, I enjoyed learning from the Tipitaka and Dhammapada. I can't go into more specifics than that.
Without a home, I meditate (when I can, which I'm trying to make more frequent), find myself chanting Om Mani Peme Hung at other times, and read the books listed above at other times. Right now, I'm finding myself concentrating more on what the dharma is and how to live it rather than within which tradition I choose to follow it in. Considering my locational circumstances, I almost imagining myself assuming an eclectic breed of Buddhism, borrowing something from each branch so long as it works towards the goal of living the dharma.