All those different types of Buddhism!
Posted: Sun Oct 30, 2011 7:39 pm
I'm a newbie, and feeling pretty confused by all the different "kinds" of Buddhism... and whether or not the type really matters.
I have started looking into Buddhism mainly because the concept of compassion for all living things really appeals to me.
I am fortunate to live in a city with *two* Buddhist centers -- one Tibetan, one Zen.
The Tibetan Buddhist center seemed very oriented towards compassion, which I really liked, but there was also talk of reincarnation and a meditation session focused on the goddess Tara -- these "supernatural sounding" things are kinda freaking me out (I've been an atheist my entire adult life, and I'm not about to start believing in reincarnation and gods and goddesses without some *really* convincing evidence).
The Zen Temple seems to be more oriented towards wisdom and understanding... there's probably still an element of "compassion for all living things" there, but more subtle, where a newbie like me doesn't see it as easily. On the other hand, there was no weird supernatural-sounding stuff.
I don't know which one to keep going to. I suspect a "Buddhist answer" would be something along the lines of "both paths lead to the same destination"... but even if there is no "right/wrong" choice, I do still need to choose one or the other... don't I? Is it arrogant for an inexperienced newbie to "pick and choose" beliefs when some of the beliefs I may reject are taught by people have a lifetime of study and practice behind their beliefs?
I guess my big hangup is that I don't totally understand what's meant by saying we should have respect for our teachers... does that mean accepting everything they say? Would it be "disrespectful" to keep going to the Tibetan Buddhist center, but to focus on the teachings on compassion and meditation but not believe them when it comes to stuff about reincarnation or Tara?
I have started looking into Buddhism mainly because the concept of compassion for all living things really appeals to me.
I am fortunate to live in a city with *two* Buddhist centers -- one Tibetan, one Zen.
The Tibetan Buddhist center seemed very oriented towards compassion, which I really liked, but there was also talk of reincarnation and a meditation session focused on the goddess Tara -- these "supernatural sounding" things are kinda freaking me out (I've been an atheist my entire adult life, and I'm not about to start believing in reincarnation and gods and goddesses without some *really* convincing evidence).
The Zen Temple seems to be more oriented towards wisdom and understanding... there's probably still an element of "compassion for all living things" there, but more subtle, where a newbie like me doesn't see it as easily. On the other hand, there was no weird supernatural-sounding stuff.
I don't know which one to keep going to. I suspect a "Buddhist answer" would be something along the lines of "both paths lead to the same destination"... but even if there is no "right/wrong" choice, I do still need to choose one or the other... don't I? Is it arrogant for an inexperienced newbie to "pick and choose" beliefs when some of the beliefs I may reject are taught by people have a lifetime of study and practice behind their beliefs?
I guess my big hangup is that I don't totally understand what's meant by saying we should have respect for our teachers... does that mean accepting everything they say? Would it be "disrespectful" to keep going to the Tibetan Buddhist center, but to focus on the teachings on compassion and meditation but not believe them when it comes to stuff about reincarnation or Tara?