Nyingma, Kagyu, Sakya or Gelugpa Buddhism? Or?

Which tradition should I follow? How do I choose?

Remember, I am commenting only in relation to Tibetan Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhism. The key thing to remember is that all schools base their teachings on the teachings of Shakyamuni Buddha, as described by great Indian mahasiddhis and scholars such as Aryadeva, Nagarjuna, Virupa, Shantideva, Atisha and Naropa. There are four main schools and many other traditions and lineages. New ones are being formed today with the take up of Buddhism by the West.

The oldest school is Nyingma, founded in Tibet in the 8^th century based on the work and teachings of Padmasambhava. The Kagyu tradition was established in the 11^th century by Marpa, Milarepa and Gampopa and is based on the teachings of Naropa and Tilopa. The Sakya school was founded in the 11^th century by Khon Konchok Gyalpo and is based on the teachings of Virupa. The Gelugpa school was founded by Tsong-kha-pa in the 14^th century, based on the teachings of Nagarjuna and Asanga.

The differences between the main schools are mainly in tantric practice and variations of philosophical views, but the underlying philosophy is still that of the Buddha.

So let me ask another question – why choose?

My experience was that having listened to a number of teachers, including His Holiness the Dalai Lama, I asked my mentor how to go about finding a teacher. His response was that it was not my choice – the teacher would find me. That happened 18 months later and Rinpoche happened to be from the Sakya lineage.

This image is of the five Sakya Masters.  The top one is Sachen Kunga Nyingpo, son of the founder Khon Konchok Gyalpo.

All teachers receive teachings from masters of other schools. As long as the authenticity of the transmission of the teachings is established, the teachings of the Buddha will be sustained. There is no way I would miss a teaching from the Dalai Lama just because he is not Sakya!

To exemplify this, I have just finished reading Treasures of the Sakya Lineage – Teachings from the Masters. It is compiled by Migmar Tseten, Buddhist chaplain at Harvard and of the Sakya tradition. One endorsement reads  "This volume is a treasure of heart teachings ...... expounded by the greatest masters of the glorious Sakya lineage. These are invaluable provisions for all travellers of any Buddhist path."  by Tulku Thondup Rinpoche, a renowned author of the Nyingma tradition.

So my advice is to wander along the various paths that open up to you and at about the time you consider taking refuge, be clear on the lineage of the transmissions and make sure they carry the authenticity of being based on the early mahasiddhis and scholars. That way you can be sure you are receiving the Buddha's teachings.

If you like an intellectual challenge, go to Ken Wilber's Integral Spirituality and read Chapter 5 – Boomeritis Buddhism. In this chapter he draws on work by Traleg Rinpoche to highlight the dangers inherent in the Western world interpreting Buddhism and how the teachings can become distorted. It reinforces the need to be sure of the authenticity of the teaching lineage. The book is listed in my reading list.

Thus ends this post. May whatever virtue or merit that derives from this posting be for the benefit of all sentient beings.

Yours until next time, Vajramate.