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Esoteric/Mystical, non-Vajrayana Buddhist schools?

StarryNightshade

Spiritually confused Jew
Premium Member
As a syncretic Hindu, I thought I could just live the philosophy of Buddhism with none of the ritual. I guess I was wrong and am now looking for a school to mix into my practice. Particularly, a mystical, ritual-based or esoteric school.

I would like to incorporate Shingon, but there seem to be absolutely no centers in my region of the U.S. and there is very little information online. I tried Tibetan, but it didn't really click with me.

What are some esoteric, non-Vajrayana schools that can be found in Mahayana or, possibly, Theravada?
 

crossfire

LHP Mercuræn Feminist Heretic ☿
Premium Member
Hi, StarryNightshade. Some very important things to remember if you want to walk the esoteric path: Don't allow ritual to replace self-discipline, and don't allow faith to replace insight. Search for understanding.

You can see the effects of the loss of self-discipline and insight by looking at the warfare going on in Sri Lanka and Myanmar, with the Buddhists attacking Muslims. (This might indicate what to avoid in your search.)
 

StarryNightshade

Spiritually confused Jew
Premium Member
Thanks for the advice. I know ritual should not fully replace discipline. I just like paths which give personal insights as well as external ritual. Stimulating both mind and sight.
 

DreadFish

Cosmic Vagabond
Vajrayana is basically, by definition, esoteric Buddhism. So searching for esoteric Buddhism outside of Vajrayana is searching for esoteric Buddhism outside of esoteric Buddhism :D

Like Dyanaprajna said, Tendai has some esoteric aspects to it; it was originally started to be a type of Buddhism that everyone could follow, regardless of culture and creed.

Also, Both Shingon and Tendai came from Chinese schools; both were brought back by Japanese monks who had traveled to China. No one ever really thinks of Chinese schools of Buddhism anymore, but they're there. There is some esotericism in Chinese Buddhism too.

Also, again, by definition, esoteric Buddhism is esoteric which pretty much implies that you require a teacher to learn it. If that weren't the case it wouldn't be esoteric :shrug:

In that case, adopting an esoteric practice because of its appeal, whether visual, intellectual or emotion etc., without actually getting to practice the inner stuff (i.e. no teacher) runs the risk of spiritual materialism and ultimately being counter productive to practice.
 

DreadFish

Cosmic Vagabond
There is plenty of ritual outside of esoteric Buddhism. Just look at the various things that go on in a Zen temple.
 
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