Expert: Bodhicitta - 10/12/2006

Question
It seems that there is a clash between the Buddha's teachings and different
sects. In Theravada Buddhism, God does not exist,
prayers and worshipping are not important ( practising and cultivation is more important), and devotees do not vow to be
reborned in the Buddha Lands but to just attain Nirvana by themselves ( Do they?
I've heard of no Theravada Buddhists speaking of to be reborned in the
Buddhalands).

In Mahayana Buddhism, especially the Pure Land Sect, God and divine being exist
but is not Supreme ( Brahma, Indra..etc..), chanting prayers like "Namo
Amitabha" and praying to Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara (a.k.a. Guan Yin in Chinese
) to seek spiritual help and getting rid of suffering is encouraged, and the
devotees make great vow to be reborned in the Buddhalands like Sukhavati of The
West.

While Tibetan Buddhism believes that that some skandhas (identity) of high lamas are preserved through rebirth (known as tulkus) such as the Dalai Lama, belief that a Buddha can manifest in human form, such as in the person of Padmasambhava, the saint who brought Tibetan Buddhism to the Himalayas.( Which makes a clash here. A Buddha is supposed to be free from the cycles of birth and death. Only a Bodhisattva wills to manifest, but the Buddha? )

Can you provide me with a detailed explanation on why and are they really clashed? Thanks a lot. Metta.  

Answer
Dear Ler
Well sadly I can not provide detailed replies on here. Only hints, and short replies to well pointed questions.

I would say your question portrays a certain view of the difference between Buddhist schools which is often current - but perhaps needlessly focusing on difference. It is probably
the case that the way Buddhism is studied and catalogued by academic studies leads to this sort of global picture.

I would say two things to you. One if that the path is meditation beyond concepts, and beyond words. It is the path of a yogin or sramana. This is the path the buddha taught. This path is shared by all schools of Buddhism. The Buddha said you should find out for yourself what is the true dharma (practice). So really it is necessary to seek out good teachers and meditate to find out what Buddhism is. Nothing has changed since the time of the Buddha, this is universal.

Secondly I would say if you study the texts of teachings of the Theravada and talk to practioners who really do practice and aren't just academic they have a very wide view of Buddhism that includes the Bodhisattva path. If you really study the texts and speak to the practioners of Mahayana Buddhism, including Tibetan Buddhism they have the deepest respect for Buddhist throughout the Buddhist world and for the Pali canon and the word of the Buddha.

Nothing is as simple as looking from a far and seeing simple
distinctions in the landscape. Practice the dharma and
see what paths arise.

There is a vast array of teachings in the world. different styles and different schools. They all have value.

Bodhicitta