Expert: Bodhicitta - 1/12/2005

Question
Hello,
    It has been about a year since i have converted to Buddhism, but I currently do not adhere to any particular sect.  As a 17 year old American, is it in my best interest to practice the Tibetan sect? I have studied Tibetan Buddhism and Vajrayana, and it does appeal to me.

                                 Thank you,
                                     Dan

Answer
Hi Dan
Thank you for your question.

I am in Britain but I know America a little. You are fortunate to be born at a time when there are many Buddhist traditions in America including several different Tibetan Buddhist traditions. It is good that you have found your home in Buddhism - that is a good start. My advice to you is not to rush into adhering to any particular sect and not to rush after Vajrayana.

The best approach would be to gain a thorough grounding in basic Buddhism. This would include learning meditation, and getting a good general overview of the Buddhas doctrine, the different views of the different schools etc.

To learn basic meditation you need to find an authentic teacher of meditation who is authorized by a tradition to teach meditation. it needs to be someone you can go back to and review your meditation at regular interviews and ask questions when you need to ask . The path of meditation is very much involved with a connecting to an authentic teacher and a relationship of trust.

When you start your Buddhist training career the first stage is really all to do with basic meditation (hinayana). It is about learning to discipline your own mind and learn basic stability and gaining your first experience of insight.
At this basic stage you dont need to adhere to any particular sect or teacher. You should take a few years before you adhere anywhere in my opinion. Take it slow.
Become wise and gain a good foundation.

Beware of any teacher or any sect that tries to limit your options rather than expand your horizons. There are bad teachers and good teachers take it slow.

There are now a number of good books giving a general over view that it might be worth acquiring if you have the money. I rarely recommend books on here. But I feel you
would enjoy looking at a book called Indestructible Truth by Reginal Ray, you will find it on Amazon.com. This gives a good overview of the whole Tibetan approach.

Concerning Vajayana. First it is necessary to say as you probably know that all the Tibetan schools of Buddhism contain the three vehicles. Hinayana, Mahayana and Vajrayana. My advice to you is the focus on the Hinayana and Mahayana  sides of the teaching. Many people are facinated by Vajrayana and rush around trying to obtain empowerments and secret Vajrayana teachings. To do this is to miss the point. The Vajrayana is a secret part of the Mahayana so if you havent entered and understood the Mahayana you can never enter the Vajrayana.The vajrayana accelerates the Mahayana path it doesnt replace it.

It could take many years to really study and fully enter the Mahayana fully. Before practising Mahayana (helping others) you have to first enter the Hinayana and stabilise your own situation. So it is like a progression.

The vajrayana is secret it isnt available. People who believe they can choose to practise it are fooling themselves and others. The vajrayana finds you if  conditions are suitable. So the best you can do is fully ground yourself in the Mahayana in preparation

Thank you again for your question. I do sincerely wish you well in your search for truth. Please ask anything else you wish. If you want more specific or personal advice then feel free to send your email address too.if it is a general question then send it on here .

Bodhicitta