From Limited Mind and Body to Our True (No) Self

Abstract : There are three ways to practice; practicing under a lineage, just following oral instructions, and doing all the work alone. What is the difference ? What does a lineage even mean ? There are oral lineages as well as energetical lineages. Generally you may find oral lineages in Theravada tradition and the energetical ones in Maha-(Tantra)-yana tradition. Is   passing down knowledge or energy, like passing a baton in a relay race ? Do masters have preferences when passing down their lineages to the students ? Is Sakyamuni’s energy still alive in these lineages ? We try to explore these topics and answers to these burning questions.   Fig. 1: Lineage transmission is a sacred (right-hand figure) process. With the mass awakening of the humankind in this era, more and more people are interested in practicing meditation, reaching higher consciousness levels, doing yoga and becoming enlightened. This is a positive sign in my opinion. Although it may sound overwhelming to ...

Abstract: In previous article, we highlighted that both Theravada and Maha-(Tantra)-Yana traditions finally converge their practices to the Noble 8-fold path. Without the 8-fold elements, a Buddhist practice cannot exist. The bodhisattva to become a Buddha as well as the Shravaka to become an Arhant, both arrive to their fruition at the end of this path. Concept and the outcome wise, one path may be seen superior to the other. As far as the individual liberation is concerned, one path is not superior to other as the "truth of the individual" is the highest truth. Moreover, in the service point of view, Theravada masters also perform the same bodhisattva activities as  Maha-(Tantra)-Yana masters and therefore it is difficult to discriminate these two. However there are differences in practice. Fig. 1: The Fruition of 3 Yanas in Buddhism. In the last post, we highlighted that the bodhisattva on Maha-(Tantra)-Yana tradition and the Shravaka on the Theravada tradition both fi...