The Different Buddhist Paths
Hinayana tradition follows a Path of Renunciation as taught by
the Buddha and written down in the Sutras. The roots of the Ego are
dug up one by one, each habit and tendency being proscribed by a
rule or a vow. Living by these rules and performing mediation one
strives to perfect ones self, moving beyond the causes of suffering.
[CWL]
The main difference in the Mahayana tradition is that the
liberation of all beings is the goal, rather than personal liberation.
This is also a Path of Renunciation but aim is to uproot the main
root at once (so that the smaller ones will wither) by cultivating
compassion for all beings. Intention behind actions is as important
as the actions themselves.
[CWL]
In Tantric (Tibetan) traditions rather than renouncing the relative
world, it is used to further one on the path. There are both outer and
inner Tantras, the first focusing on bringing pure intent into external
actions, the latter working internally. They both work on an energy
level primarily making use of visualizations. The last level of the
Outer Tantra and the three levels of Inner Tantra (Atu, Ani, and Maha)
are called the Vajrayana, or Indestructible Vehicle. The Inner Tantra
seeks to shift ones energy to match the realized being used as the
focus of the visualizations, a form of yoga. [CWL]
Zogqen is said to be the most direct method, working at the
level of mind, by direct transmission from Master to student. (i) The
Master existing in the primordial state induces this in the student,
by direct association in whatever activity they are engaged in.
[A spirit to spirit teaching]. (ii) The student then knows what
the primordial state is by direct experience, and (iii) works to
bring this state in all their actions. Although a simplified form was
introduced in the Bon tradition by Xenrab Miwo (b. 1856 BC), the full
teachings (The Three Series) were introduced by Garab Dorje (b. 55 AD)
in Urgyan (NW of India). The three stages above are referred to as the
three principles of Garab Dorje.
[CWL]
Tibetan Schools
Buddhism is said to have be established in Tibet by Padmasambhava,
who lived in the 9th cent. AD. He also brought the Zogqen teachings.
Later four main schools of Tibetan Buddhism developed, beside the older
native Bon tradition. The Zogqen
practices are found in all the schools. The four schools are:
- Ninmaba, Ancient Ones, the oldest, original tradition.
- Garma Gagyud.
- Sagyaba, deriving from the Indian Mahasidda tradition.
- Gelugba, the most recent, was a reform movement, focusing
on the rules of renunciation.
[CWL]
Buddha Tara
Tara is a female Buddha having many forms. She is related to,
but apparently not the same as Kali. In Japan she is Kannon, and
in China Kuan Yin. There are at least 21 aspects of Tara, designated
by different colors. Each of these has specific roles and benefits
for those who meditate on them. Different ones are useful for helping
to purge different aspects of the ego, for overcoming different enemies of the mind and the different bondages that limit the mind. They are also
used to inculcate the positive qualities that are the heart of
Buddhist practice, compassion, love, kindness, altruism, etc. In
Tibetan practice one meditates on the deity as merging into one's
self, and visa versa. One becomes the deity and the qualities that
they embody. [LD]
