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FACE TO FACE  |  EASTERN HORIZON     45



























                          Geshe-la teaching Eight Verses of Mind Training to group of Vietnamese, Nov 24, 2022




           I think this is incorrect. All the highest tantric teachings   Rituals seem a key part of Tibetan Buddhism but
           like Guhyasamaja, He Vajra, Chakrasamvara, Kalachakra   early Buddhist teachings seem to warn its followers
           and so forth are clearly mentioned as being taught by   against being attached to rites and rituals. What is
           the Buddha. Of course the usual question such as was   the role of rituals in Tibetan Buddhism?
           there writing at the time of the Buddha and how the
           teachings are recorded etc. can be asked not only in   Rites and ritual are not the main practice but are other
           the context of tantra but also the sutra teachings. Such   skilful ways and means to help people. Buddhas main
           questions are asked with all religions.            teachings are for transformation of the mind but it is
                                                              helpful to have the visual tradition. When properly used
           In Tibetan Buddhism, can one attain enlightenment   everything is beneficial but when misused even the
           just by practicing sutrayana and not Tantra?       main teachings of the Buddha can be twisted. So much

                                                              is dependent upon the user.
           Yes you can attain enlightenment just by practicing
           sutrayana although it is said if you follow tantra it is a   Despite the misconceptions highlighted so far,
           quicker path.                                      Tibetan Buddhism is perhaps the most popular
                                                              form of Buddhism in the West other than Zen. How
           Many people, including Buddhists, are confused by   is it that the West has come to appreciate Tibetan
           the image of sexuality in Tibetan sexual yoga as it   Buddhism?
           is not found in the early Buddhist teachings or even
           later in Chinese Mahayana Buddhism. How do you     Buddhism in general and thereby Tibetan Buddhism
           explain this?                                      is based on the law of nature – the two truths.

                                                              Cultivation of compassion and wisdom is rooted in the
           Sexual images are only representations, a tool to explain   understanding of the way things are. It is very scientific,
           things. It is like the paintings and drawings that we use   realistic. empirical and a common-sense religion. It
           today to explain things. Yes it may not be found in the   shows a path to uproot ignorance, the very source of
           early Buddhist teachings because these are teachings   all kinds of suffering. Who will not appreciate such a
           taught for everybody. Tantric teachings are taught for   path of loving kindness that cares for all beings and a
           specific select followers.                         wisdom that knows the ultimate reality.  EH
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