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From: Keith (d207-216-60-167.bchsia.telus.net)
In Reply to: Re: more on Tibetan tradition...... posted by Claudine on June 8, 2005 at 8:18 pm:
Hmmm. "Intellectual" is actually a rather vague word, when it comes right down to it. It is rather hard to say which tradition is most intellectual. Certainly the Tibetan tradition has a strong intellectual background. The great monastic universities of Tibet, in their day the largest in the world, bear this out. But other traditions also have a strong intellectual background too, including Zen, which, ironically, is often labelled "anti-intellectual". For me, when evaluating a Dharma group to practise with, I find it helpful to look at how traditional they are. By that, I mean whether or not they follow a particular lineage and base their practices and teachings on traditional sources. I tend to be a little leery of groups whose practice is too "modernified". (However, I do like to be able to practise in English, or at least have a translation available so that I understand what I am chanting.) A strong sense of tradition is good insurance against misinterpretation, exploitation, and other forms of questionable religious practice. That is just my personal view, though. You have to find what works best for you. Good luck in your search, and do continue to let us know how it is going! Keith
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