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58 EASTERN HORIZON | TEACHINGS

Min Wei: In the Mahāyāna tradition, the personal • loving kindness, patience, understanding, wisdom
insight and meditative realization of later Buddhist • improved moral conduct.
teachers play a vital role in affirming whether a
teaching resonates with the Buddha’s true Dharma. Monks in the Theravāda tradition are bound by strict
Such realizations are valued when they align with core rules of the Vinaya. So they can follow the practices
principles like emptiness, compassion, and the path to of other traditions as long as doing so does not entail
liberation. Mahayana recognizes that awakening is not breaking any of the Vinaya rules, which include not
limited to the Buddha’s historical era; profound wisdom holding on to any wrong views.
can emerge through deep meditation and bodhisattva
practice across generations. Teachers who embody this Min Wei: For modern practitioners, exploring teachings
realization are seen as living vessels of the Dharma. from various Buddhist schools can be an enriching
However, their insights are not accepted blindly—they way to discover common ground and appreciate the
are tested against canonical sutras, the teacher’s ethical vast diversity of the Dharma. Core principles such as
conduct, and the teaching’s power to alleviate suffering. the Four Noble Truths, dependent origination, and
Genuine realization does not override the Buddha’s compassion are universal threads that connect different
teachings but illuminates them, ensuring the Dharma traditions, offering a shared foundation for practice. By
remains a living, evolving truth that continues to examining these similarities, practitioners can deepen
awaken beings. their understanding, foster mutual respect, and gain
fresh insights into the path of liberation. However, it
Tsepal: The Buddhas teachings are very dynamic and is equally important to cultivate a stable and focused
alive. When practitioners sincerely listen to, reflect on personal practice. Without a clear foundation, one
and deeply analyze, and then meditate on the Buddha’s may become scattered or overwhelmed by differing
teachings as instructed over a long time, naturally, perspectives. The key is to remain firmly rooted in a
they will internalize their meaning and attain spiritual chosen path while staying open to the wisdom found in
realizations. This is another “proof” that the teachings other traditions. This balanced approach allows for both
they practiced are authentic and reliable. Even so, depth and breadth in one’s spiritual journey.
practitioners of “later Buddhist teachers” should always
test teachings against the Buddha’s main principles. Tsepal: All Buddhists rely on the same exemplary
teacher, Lord Buddha, take refuge in the Three Jewels,
For practitioners, is it important to compare and adhere to the four noble truths and the three higher
teachings from different Buddhist schools to find trainings for liberation. Therefore, it makes sense to
common ground? Or is it best to focus mainly on have genuine respect for Buddhist practitioners of
your own tradition’s scriptures? different traditions. Without learning something about
the different traditions, we are likely to proliferate
Aggacitta: Lay spiritual practitioners are not bound by centuries-old misconceptions about each other.
any rules, unlike monastics. The former can pick, choose
and combine different practices from various traditions When first learning about Buddhism, some people may
if they find that helpful. The bottom line is whether want to “sample” the different traditions. But once we
that will result in the reduction of greed, hate and choose the tradition that most suits us, we will benefit
delusion. This should lead to the subsequent increase of most from thoroughly studying and practicing what
wholesome mental states and behaviours such as that tradition offers. Then, if we choose to study or
practice in another Buddhist tradition, or have dialogue
• generosity, open-mindedness and tolerance with other Buddhists, we will be clear about our
• less attachment to animate and inanimate objects, to own tradition as a reference for comparison without
views, beliefs and ideologies becoming confused.