Hi all! I am posting this because I have been in this group and UAP world for a few years now and always find myself coming back to some of the interviews and experiences presented in this film-- especially the part about yogis/lamas describing that they have reincarnated into beings in other worlds. I think we often find ourselves at a confluence between the science of UAP and potential spiritual links. This film is a great thing to watch with all of our UAP knowledge in our minds. I would love to hear from others who watch it!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNt6AI4WSso

In the posts I've viewed, as well as the posts I've made and exchanges I've had, I've been really impressed by the kindness and civility, which seems greater than that of some of other Buddhist subs on Reddit. I like to learn about other Buddhist traditions, and have a deep respect for the Theravada tradition, so I appreciate everyone who has been helping me understand it more.

I love Tibetan Buddhism for its mysticism, colorful art/architecture, plus all of the multitude of masters from those related traditions from Tibet.

Idk if this is a common consensus or if it’s just some on Reddit but I’ve been contacted by people who respond to some of my posts on other subreddits but basically they make this argument saying how Tibetan Buddhism isn’t real Buddhism or that it’s just the Bon tradition of Tibet but with Buddhist influence so it’s not truly Buddhism but I totally disagree and before I try to refute I wanna hear what u all have to say. ———————————————————————————— I love how despite u all being from different traditions we all share common ground with the essence of the teachings of the Buddha, I see the various sects of Buddhism as holding the same truth but with differences being in the terms used, visual/aesthetic appearances, separate history/lineages, and separate practices however it’s all Buddhism and that to me is pretty damn amazing how a tradition can have so much variety and such vastness of wisdom all stemming from the one Shakyamuni Buddha.

I also love how despite u all respecting and acknowledging other traditions from ur own u still hold ur tradition to be the “best” because ofc the tradition that speaks to u the most will feel the best for u to practice. I just hope we can continue to grow and learn from each other rather than just becoming another close minded dogmatic “religion”. ☸️❤️

How would you compare the “ popular Buddhism” of Thich Nhath Hanh as opposed to various popular Tibetan Buddhist teachers? Thoughts?

I've been attending a Tibetan Buddhist monastery for a few months now and doing Green Tara and Chenrezig practices with no issues and a lot of benefits. My Bipolar is currently managed well with appropriate medical treatments.

I ask because someone told me Tibetan Buddhism would make my mental health worse. I understand if some practices are off limits to me, but am I really unfit for all of Tibetan Buddhism? I really hate to stop going to my monastery.

I mean do “deities” like Tara and medicine Buddha represent symbolic meanings and energies that can be used as essentially tools for helping us along our spiritual development? Or am I way off?

I've been practicing Buddhism for five years and I'd like to move deeper into the practice. I think my next big step is to find a teacher and i was wondering how someone does that in a rural area without Buddhist centers around? I would like to eventually be trained in the Six Dharmas of Naropa and possibly be trained to become a Ngagpa. From my understanding the Six Dharmas are a main practice in the Kagyu school, but does the Kagyu school have Ngagpas? If not, is there a school that does both? I understand that these are great undertakings that will take years to eventually be trained in.

Hey everyone! This is my first post here and I was hoping for some advice:

I’ve been studying Buddhism for the last few months. I’ve found myself drawn to both Zen Buddhism and Tibetan Buddhism, and I’m unsure which to pursue a serious study of, in terms of thought, practice, and meditation. I don’t want to just take a shallow interest, but find a teacher and make a serious study of one of these spiritual paths. I’m also very fortunate to have many options in my area, in terms of Buddhist temples and dharma centers.

In general, the meditation practices and aesthetic (for lack of a better term) of Zen Buddhism greatly appeal to me. However, having a longstanding interest in Indian philosophy, in general, the scholastic rigor of the Tibetan Madhyamaka school also appeals to me, and I find myself forming a strong connection with the philosophical side and underpinnings of Tibetan Buddhism.

Is it common (or even considered acceptable) to practice and study Zen Buddhism, but also to adhere to the Tibetan Madhyamaka school, in terms of Buddhist philosophical thought? I don’t want to disrespect the tradition and teacher and want to make a serious study.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

I have heard Bon has its own Madhyamaka philosophy. Does anyone know how it compares and contrasts with Madhyamaka Prasangika, Madhyamaka Svatantrika, and other varieties of Madhyamaka in the Indo-Tibetan traditions?

I just bought the book and while I have dipped my toes into the idea of practicing Buddhism formally, I never quite fully invested myself. Is this a good place to start the practice?

I am talking of the Western world here.

What do you guys think?

Rabbi Lama

I have no idea where to even begin. Thank you so much for your help!

I've compiled the lectures of Venerable Geshe Lobsang Yonten, a member of a small group of monks selected by His Holiness the Dalai Lama to teach Buddhism across the world. And put them in sequence on a single page that can be used as a study course if you get the books. This course leads to Tibetan Buddhism.

THIS COURSE HAS 4 PARTS

1. Introduction to Buddhism Overview - Start here for absolute beginners.
2. Basic Buddhism (Prep) - This prepares students for the main teachings
3. Buddhism for Beginners (Main) - This is the main teaching using a standard Tibetan Buddhist textbook called "The Great Treatise on the Stages of the Path to Enlightenment" aka "Lamrim".
4. Buddhism for Beginners (Plus) - This includes studies of additional Buddhist literature.

PART 1 - INTRODUCTION TO BUDDHISM (OVERVIEW)

Session 01 - What is Buddhism? - https://youtu.be/f2xvCJ1aJMw

Session 02 - Rebirth - https://youtu.be/XOyYbJ-dw0c

Session 03 - Karma - https://youtu.be/I1b-e2D1YGs

Session 04 - 2 Truths, 4 Noble Truths, 4 Mindfulness - https://youtu.be/xhWWlG8IPhI

Session 05 - What and how to do daily practices - https://youtu.be/MxEwAFdULow

The intro to Buddhism course ends here. Continuing with the courses below will lead to Tibetan Buddhism.

PART 2 - BASIC BUDDHISM - PRE LAMRIM (PREPARATORY SESSIONS)

Lamrim means the 3 volume textbook "The Great Treatise on the Stages of the Path to Enlightenment". It is recommended that you get these books for this course.

These sessions (01 to 07) are Preparatory to the Lamrim Course.

Session 01 - Introduction - https://youtu.be/Jk4yl5RRDW8

Session 02 - Four Noble Truths - https://youtu.be/aTtSn7TuyAM

Session 03 - Four Noble Truths - https://youtu.be/IYF-163X_v0

Session 04 - Dependent Origination - https://youtu.be/nhOYeirSdII

Session 05 - No Self, Impermanence - https://youtu.be/4m9yDRzixMc

Session 06 - Cause & Effect - https://youtu.be/G6fS1rc80BI

Session 07 - Co

To practice Tibetan Buddhism do you have to be Tibetan? No. Why? Because when we refer to Tibetan Buddhism we are referring to all of Buddha’s teachings, which are summarized as the three Yanas, or vehicles, that bring about the results of the path, through effort. They are: the Hinayana, the Mahayana, and the Vajrayana. Buddha taught the various aspects of these three vehicles to devoted disciples according to their various needs, dispositions, and interests.

When we learn about Tibetan Buddhism this is what we are referring to. It has been practiced and upheld in Tibet, but is not necessarily limited to a region. The teachings are for everyone! Young, old, rich, poor, all people. Even animals can benefit from listening to Dharma teachings. Buddha always taught that caste doesn’t matter, that everyone possesses the enlightened potential to achieve what he achieved.

This is therefore simply a point of clarification and celebration! May all benefit from Buddha’s three Yanas, which have been carefully practiced and upheld in places like Tibet!

Just curious about the subject now. Is it kind of like in Cast Away, where his “Tulpa”/imaginary friend is (projected into) the volley ball?

This is for a complete beginner who already made a choice to get started in Tibetan Buddhism specifically. (skipping the interest in general Buddhism)

Asking for a friend u/Apollo989

So it’s disheartening when I learned about the dark side of Tibetan society, how the surf system was widely used and accepted slavery was still a thing into the 1950’s and other hierarchy feudal policies that happened in Tibet under the watch of the lamas and from my knowledge did little to nothing to change it. The Buddha I feel was very clear on caste systems and slavery and gender equality so to see stories of the dark side of Tibet and the Dalai Lama presiding over a system that used slaves and did nothing to change feudal surfdom is disheartening. Anyways I know I’m not the only one who’s felt this way the teachings of Tibetan Buddhism are amazing and beautiful the government system in place in Tibet however has its dark sides. Any advice for approaching this topic. I mean no disrespect with this post and love the Dalai Lama his books and teachings are incredible but then seeing he ruled over a very troubling political system seems hypocritical at times

Hi. For years, I was in Dzogchen tradition, practicing according to the teaching of Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche via his direct student explanations, advice introductions. I was doing basic meditation and was pretty seriously into numerous repetitions of the preliminary practice, Ngongdro.

The thing is, it all started to look like a cult or more precisely - a junkie club - aimed to induce hallucinations and trance. You see, the initial teachings on meditation were quite promising. They indeed made the mind quiet, less stressed. But the more you are into practice and fundamental Dzogchen texts, the more they look like utter bullshit, 10’s of pages of inexplainable words rolling around basically nothing, getting you into dissociative-like trance state because they don’t make any sense and your brain begins to blow some steam. I even was told that this is “good” and later tantric practices in long retreats are specifically aimed on dissociation and imagining yourself as a deity with some “pure” qualities. As I understand, those retreats induce brain-produced amphetamine (DMA) chemical release, that makes the person high and make him hallucinate and happy - and those hallucinations are presented and sold during retreats as non-duality.

I’ve a university degree and I’ve critical mind so I started to ask questions how to see if the practice is “right” as I felt it makes me angry, lost, dissociated. As I was already not the “novice” practitioner, all the answers were like “trust your teacher, believe in your teacher, he is the essence of Dzogchen”. And I was referred to the biography of one of the greatest yogis, Milarepa – who was “tested” by his teacher through years of excruciating humiliation all to make him attain enlightenment more quickly. But…why should I trust that destroying my critical mind will make me more open to the teaching? The teachers all say Dzohchen is not a religion, so why should I “believe in teacher” and throw away my critical thinking at all? No answer.

Also I started to note: there is no connection between the effort invested in the meditative practice and qualities of teachers/followers. But if that's a "science", a "system", it should work for everyone, like, you know, everyone can lear to drive a car or to write with some practice, because a systematic approach is something that can be 100% repeatable, verified with the results. But no, it’s more about that sweet mild trance and emotional boding during retreats and meditative meetings

Until 1778, the longest it stayed at one location was 34 years, and on 6 occasions it moved after a single year (!):
Founded in Shireet Tsagaan Nuur (1639) as ᠥᠷᠭᠦᠭᠡ (Örgöö), and then moved to Khoshoo Tsaidam (1640), Khentii Mountains (1654), Ogoomor (1688), Inner Mongolia (1690), Tsetserlegiin Erdene Tolgoi (1700), Daagandel (1719), Usan Seer (1720), Ikh Tamir (1722), Jargalant (1723), Eeven Gol (1724), Khujirtbulan (1729), Burgaltai (1730), Sognogor (1732), Terelj (1733), Uliastai River (1734), Khui Mandal (1736), Khuntsal (1740), Udleg (1742), Ogoomor (1743), Selbe (1747), Uliastai River (1756), Selbe (1762), Khui Mandal (1772), and finally Selbe (1778), with its current name of ᠤᠯᠠᠭᠠᠨᠪᠠᠭᠠᠲᠤᠷ (Ulaɣanbaɣatur/Ulaanbaatar) adopted in 1924.

This chant is very musical! I come from a background of Therevada and lately have started exploring other Buddhisms because I'd like to use mantra more?

I have learnt about Om mani padme hum and Om tare tuttare ture soha, and that those can generally be done without empowerment.

But what about this Avalokitesvera chant below? Is it common to chant longer passages of mantras like below in Tibetan Buddhism as part of one's own practice ?

https://youtu.be/IRp-5YKL-BA

I'm baptized orthodox Christian from an early age as a kid. I've been studying Buddhism especially Tibetan Buddhism for about a year now and it feels special and it kind of "speaks" with me.

Is there any problem being a christian practice and study buddhist dharma, chanting mantras to buddhist deities, listening to guru teachings etc.? I still want to remain a christian but I really like what Tibetan Buddhism teaches.

For years, I was a Tibet Buddhism practitioner, namely in Dzogchen tradition, practicing according to the teaching of Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche via his direct student explanations, advice introductions. I was doing basic meditation and was pretty seriously into numerous repetitions of the preliminary practice, Ngongdro.

The thing is, it all started to look like a cult or more precisely - a junkie club - aimed to induce hallucinations and trance. You see, the initial teachings on meditation were quite promising. They indeed made the mind quiet, less stressed. But the more you are into practice and fundamental Dzogchen texts, the more they look like utter bullshit, 10’s of pages of inexplainable words rolling around basically nothing, getting you into dissociative-like trance state because they don’t make any sense and your brain begins to blow some steam. I even was told that this is “good” and later tantric practices in long retreats are specifically aimed on dissociation and imagining yourself as a deity with some “pure” qualities. As I understand, those retreats induce brain-produced amphetamine (DMA) chemical release, that makes the person high and make him hallucinate and happy - and those hallucinations are presented and sold during retreats as non-duality.

I’ve a university degree and I’ve critical mind so I started to ask questions how to see if the practice is “right” as I felt it makes me angry, lost, dissociated. As I was already not the “novice” practitioner, all the answers were like “trust your teacher, believe in your teacher, he is the essence of Dzogchen”. And I was referred to the biography of one of the greatest yogis, Milarepa – who was “tested” by his teacher through years of excruciating humiliation all to make him attain enlightenment more quickly. But…why should I trust that destroying my critical mind will make me more open to the teaching? The teachers all say Dzohchen is not a religion, so why should I “believe in teacher” and throw away my critical thinking at all? No answer.

Also I started to note: there is no connection between the effort invested in the meditative practice and qualities of teachers/followers. But if that's a "science", a "system", it should work for everyone, like, you know, everyone can lear to drive a car or to write with some practice, because a systematic approach is something that can be 100% repeatable, verified with the results. But no, it’s more about that sweet mild trance and emotional boding during