I never say we should follow the unothordox sect, I just want to
point out the tactics that they normally use, let's say 90%
buddhism to prevent themselves from being seen as unothordox.
Not only buddha mentioned the "rely on the dharma, not the person",
he also asked us to follow the triple gems in our daily life.
triple gems = buddha (teacher), dharma, sangha (teacher)
"rely on the dharma, not the person" doesn't mean teacher is not
needed. Buddha mentioned this so we do not fall into the extreme of
relying on person and superceed dharma.
But if you attached to the "not the person", then you will fall
into the opposite extreme. We should take the middle path.
If one already take refuge, how can he has no dharma teacher.
Teacher is so important especially in zen buddhism and vajrayana,
if you said you have no teacher, no one will believe the "dharma"
you say or become your disciples.
A teacher give you a cultivation plan that suits you, teach you not
to make mistake, if you practise the unothordox method and become a
fake teacher like LSY, your teacher will make it known to the
buddhist community so can reduce your bad karma.
This will ensure the quality of buddhist and lengthen the spreading
of dharma in the world.
Originally posted by yamizi:
I half agree with your first para, but however, we should keep away
from these unorthodox teachings as not to allow these 10% to
pollute the pure flow of Dhamma.
However your sweeping statements of no teacher means not a buddhist
is quite an extreme view. Many people believe in the Dhamma due to
self study. Before Buddha had passed away, He'd already mentioned
that to rely on the Dhamma [b]not the person. I'm not
trying to discredit some of the famous master, but end of the day,
they too will advice you to rely on the Dhamma and not them.
To my understanding, LSY wasn't a buddhist with right knowledge to
start with. He meddled with some kind of taoist talisman skills as
well. I remember seeing some talisman from him. And if my memory
doesn't fail me, he has some psuedo-christian belief influence as
well. In short, he is a kind of rojak.
AEN:
And yes, he has many fanciful bedside stories. I remember I was in
awe when I read one of his story that a deceased man's son told him
that his dad appeared in his dream saying his neighbour very
"noisy". And how LSY used stone and visulise as pillars and wall to
segregate in between the tomb and peace there after. It is a good
for entertainment IF you're not a buddhist to start with.[/b]
