Which school of Buddhism is best for me? (ritual, salvation)

[cmnaga]

I have decided to embark on the middle path. There is a problem for me, however. I have much skepticism concerning beliefs in reincarnation.

My personal interpretation of reincarnation is that it is another way of saying how our perception is always changing. The five aggregates and their perceptions are never alike so, metaphorically, we die and are reborn again every moment of our lives as our consciousness perceives constantly changing stimulus. The me of one hour ago is not the same me that is now, typing these words.

I do not understand the need for a metaphysical belief in reincarnation. I do not necessarily believe in "past lives", though I do not claim omnipotence and say that there is no merit to the belief. I do understand how metaphysical beliefs are employed during some forms of meditation (e.x. Breath in the suffering of the world, breathe out peace and tranquility, etc.)

What schools of Buddhism do not put any emphasis on "reincarnation" and "past lives"? I am concerned with the current life I am living now, and the happiness of the people I share the world with right now.

[Engyo]

Originally Posted by cmnaga

I have decided to embark on the middle path. There is a problem for me, however. I have much skepticism concerning beliefs in reincarnation.

Congratulations! I think the word "rebirth" is much closer to the actual concept than reincarnation.

Originally Posted by cmnaga

My personal interpretation of reincarnation is that it is another way of saying how our perception is always changing. The five aggregates and their perceptions are never alike so, metaphorically, we die and are reborn again every moment of our lives as our consciousness perceives constantly changing stimulus. The me of one hour ago is not the same me that is now, typing these words.

I do not understand the need for a metaphysical belief in reincarnation. I do not necessarily believe in "past lives", though I do not claim omnipotence and say that there is no merit to the belief. I do understand how metaphysical beliefs are employed during some forms of meditation (e.x. Breath in the suffering of the world, breathe out peace and tranquility, etc.)

As the Buddha taught rebirth, the ego/identity is not reborn, so past lives per se are metaphorical. The image I resonate with is the one with the candles. Place a row of five candles on a table. Candles represent physical bodies, or lifetimes. Light an end candle, "One life". Take that candle, light the second one, extinguishing the first when the second is lit. Repeat the process until the fifth candle is lit. Now, is the flame on the fifth candle the same as that from the first candle? Yes, in some ways; and no in others. The concept of rebirth is similar to the candle flame; it both is and isn't the same flame, or identity/ego as the original.

Originally Posted by cmnaga

What schools of Buddhism do not put any emphasis on "reincarnation" and "past lives"? I am concerned with the current life I am living now, and the happiness of the people I share the world with right now.

Well, actually, most schools of Buddhism do focus on the here & now, although some more than others. You might consider looking into the Tendai (T'ien-T'ai) and Nichiren schools, though. There is a strong focus on improving the world one person at a time through individual practice in those schools. Disclaimer: I practice Nichiren Budhism myself. There may also be other schools which would also be a good fit for you; my recommendation would be to visit different schools, temples, and practice centers and decide which practice feels comfortable and correct for you, and where you feel welcome.

Again, congratulations, and welcome to the Forums!

[ayani]

hey, cmnaga

welcome! and congradulations on this commitment. as for a school...

do some checking around. some books that i've found helpful in learning have been "shin buddhism: bits of rubble turn into gold" by taitetsu unno and "the miracle of mindfulness" by thich nhat hanh.

one pure land, the other zen.

[michel]

Originally Posted by cmnaga

I have decided to embark on the middle path. There is a problem for me, however. I have much skepticism concerning beliefs in reincarnation.

My personal interpretation of reincarnation is that it is another way of saying how our perception is always changing. The five aggregates and their perceptions are never alike so, metaphorically, we die and are reborn again every moment of our lives as our consciousness perceives constantly changing stimulus. The me of one hour ago is not the same me that is now, typing these words.

I do not understand the need for a metaphysical belief in reincarnation. I do not necessarily believe in "past lives", though I do not claim omnipotence and say that there is no merit to the belief. I do understand how metaphysical beliefs are employed during some forms of meditation (e.x. Breath in the suffering of the world, breathe out peace and tranquility, etc.)

What schools of Buddhism do not put any emphasis on "reincarnation" and "past lives"? I am concerned with the current life I am living now, and the happiness of the people I share the world with right now.

Hi cmnaga


Welcome to the Forum;

As I notice that this is your first visit here, perhaps you would like to introduce yourself to the other members, by posting on:- Are you new to ReligiousForums.com?

Please feel free to ask questions, if you have any. You might like to check out our article with links for our newer members; from there, there is also a link to the forum rules which you ought to see.

I hope you'll like it here, and I look forward to seeing you around.

[Scarlett Wampus]

Originally Posted by cmnaga

What schools of Buddhism do not put any emphasis on "reincarnation" and "past lives"? I am concerned with the current life I am living now, and the happiness of the people I share the world with right now.

Don't worry too much about reincarnation and past lives. Deciding which school of Buddhism is best for you, well, what was behind your decision to take up the middle path in the first place? Concern for your present life and the happiness of the people you share the world with are common to many but not all such people are Buddhists.

Do you accept that in life there is inevitable suffering, and that whatever is valued highly is subject to impermanence? Do you accept that craving what is valuable is attachment to what is impermanent and this torments the mind? Do you accept that the way out of such torment is to let go of attachment?

Its not necessary to see things this way to start out. I certainly didn't and I still have my doubts. Buddha's last words were, "Work out your own salvation with diligence". It is up to us to penetrate the matter for ourselves, and this transcends any school of Buddhism (according to Wampus school). Yet, unless the four truths at the root of Buddhism seem close to your truth, or at least convincing enough to look into, then it might be worth considering your decision a little more.

Gassho

[jonmarkgo]

My personal interpretation of reincarnation is that it is another way of saying how our perception is always changing. The five aggregates and their perceptions are never alike so, metaphorically, we die and are reborn again every moment of our lives as our consciousness perceives constantly changing stimulus. The me of one hour ago is not the same me that is now, typing these words.

That is exactly how I think of it.

[lilithu]

Originally Posted by cmnaga

I have decided to embark on the middle path. There is a problem for me, however. I have much skepticism concerning beliefs in reincarnation.
<.....>
What schools of Buddhism do not put any emphasis on "reincarnation" and "past lives"? I am concerned with the current life I am living now, and the happiness of the people I share the world with right now.

For many years I investigated many different religions looking for the "right" one for me. While I found much wisdom in many (not all) of the traditions I studied, there was always something that I objected to, something that I could not accept as true. So I would go on to the next one, and the next one. In the meantime that meant that I was always seeking and never still, and never got to understand any of the religions past a superficial level. Now, I realize that many of the things that I had found objectionable were based on my not understanding them in the context of their own traditions.

It is great that you've decided to make a commitment to Buddhism. Now just pick a tradition within it that speaks to you. Don't worry if there are parts of it that you don't understand or even just seem wrong. Just pick one that has something that you do understand and seems right and start from there. Spiritual practice is a journey. If you think you already know how it all works then there isn't much point in you taking up that journey, is there?

[white_wolf]

Originally Posted by cmnaga

I have decided to embark on the middle path. There is a problem for me, however. I have much skepticism concerning beliefs in reincarnation.

I do not understand the need for a metaphysical belief in reincarnation. I do not necessarily believe in "past lives", though I do not claim omnipotence and say that there is no merit to the belief. I do understand how metaphysical beliefs are employed during some forms of meditation (e.x. Breath in the suffering of the world, breathe out peace and tranquility, etc.)

What schools of Buddhism do not put any emphasis on "reincarnation" and "past lives"? I am concerned with the current life I am living now, and the happiness of the people I share the world with right now.

No need to be concerned about what will happen in the next life, or if there is a next life. All is transient. Nothing lasts, not even us. Walk on. Ya know?

As far as the middle path, why have you chosen to walk it?

[Engyo]

Originally Posted by white_wolf

No need to be concerned about what will happen in the next life, or if there is a next life. All is transient. Nothing lasts, not even us. Walk on. Ya know?

As far as the middle path, why have you chosen to walk it?

White wolf -

Are you aware that "the middle path" is a term used for Buddhist practice? I believe that this is how cmnaga meant it, anyway.

[white_wolf]

Originally Posted by Engyo

White wolf -

Are you aware that "the middle path" is a term used for Buddhist practice? I believe that this is how cmnaga meant it, anyway.

Oh, yes I am aware. I'm sorry if it came across differently.