I am now considering Zen/Chan. I feel this tradition may be compatible with me due to less emphasis on rebirth which I am skeptical with and because it is fairly simplistic and isn't esoteric and I feel is good for lay people.
I did consider Theravada but was turned off by the fact that it is focused on monastics. I think the fact that it is not approachable for lay people is why so many people in Thailand and other Theravada countries consider themselves Buddhist but actually no very little of Buddhism.
For two and a half years I have considered myself a Buddhist and admittedly I have made little progress. At first things went well and everything meant sense but then I ended up ending up going into a group of Buddhism that wasn't really right for me. I ended up out of practice. Now I am hoping...
Well I think that the right answer definitely is that he is not an evil spirit because providing you believe in the Buddhist beliefs of the Law of Karma and Rebirth there would be no way that Tulku Dragpa Gyalsten (Dorje Shugden's previous incarnation) could have been reborn as a hungry spirit...
Do you believe that Dorje Shugden is a proper, enlightened Dharma protector or a harmful malevolent spirit? Do you agree with the Dalai Lama's enforcement of the ban of it?
I don't believe in any Gods, but do worship the Buddhist three jewels (Buddha, Dharma and Sangha) but not in the way you may worship God(s) just by paying respect, taking refuge and making offerings and making dedications before and after my Meditation practice.
No it has been proven he actually was real, he is a historical figure. He was just a spiritual teacher who we believe achieved insight into life and suffering and who taught the way to liberation, not a God.
Dorje Shugden is not a demon, as he is an emanation of an Enlightened being he can not wish any bad for any one.
Furthermore as in his past lives he was many Buddhist master's he practiced pure moral discipline so could not take rebirth as an evil spirit, saying that he couldcompletely...
People seem to make out that something horrible happens to you if you practice Tantra without a teacher as it is esoteric but I have practiced Mahamudra without a teacher on it and nothing negative has happened as a result of it.
Surely recieving written instructions from books is just as...
I have to admit I have been a bit fundamental at times, but that I believe that mainly to be because of my young age and the fact that I am a still relatively new to Buddhism having only been practising for 11 months or so, it will ease of eventually.