Ploughing clouds

[Shujin]

Thank you, Taigu; gassho.

[Taigu]

Hi Jeff,

From an historical perspective, the three yana refer to the three stages through which Buddhism evolved and changed, from the way of the Elders, Theravada, based on discipline and morality, sticking to the original teachings of Shakyamuni.
The second is Mahayana, the so called Great vehicle, based on the Bodhisattva ideal and eventually, esoteric Buddhism, Tantrayana, also called Vajrayana, based on a strong Guru practice and complex rituals transforming poisons into awakening.
In Trungpa terminology, it refers to three styles of practice, three ways to deal with negative emotions for instance, you might get rid of them (first yana), embrace them (second one)or thransform them (third one).
A word of caution though, each yana contains the two other yana. In Mahayana, the kind of Buddhism we practice here, we have a strong Theravada element ( look at the precepts for instance) as well as a Tantrayana flavor ( teachings of the kesa, recitation of certain chants and mantra, also the idea to make use of everything, not to reject anything to accomplish the way).

Gassho

Taigu

[Shokai]

Thank you so much, Taigu!
Awesome teaching

Gassho,

Shokai

[Bids]

Deep thanks.
Silent bow.

Nadi

[Neika]

Thank you Taigu.

Gassho,
Neika

[jslinjr]

Hi Jeff,

From an historical perspective, the three yana refer to the three stages through which Buddhism evolved and changed, from the way of the Elders, Theravada, based on discipline and morality, sticking to the original teachings of Shakyamuni.
The second is Mahayana, the so called Great vehicle, based on the Bodhisattva ideal and eventually, esoteric Buddhism, Tantrayana, also called Vajrayana, based on a strong Guru practice and complex rituals transforming poisons into awakening.
In Trungpa terminology, it refers to three styles of practice, three ways to deal with negative emotions for instance, you might get rid of them (first yana), embrace them (second one)or thransform them (third one).
A word of caution though, each yana contains the two other yana. In Mahayana, the kind of Buddhism we practice here, we have a strong Theravada element ( look at the precepts for instance) as well as a Tantrayana flavor ( teachings of the kesa, recitation of certain chants and mantra, also the idea to make use of everything, not to reject anything to accomplish the way).

Gassho

Taigu

That is what I had guessed. I just wanted to make sure it was in that context. I will not take this thread off topic but I am going to send you a private message with my question.

Gassho,
Jeff

[Heisoku]

Dharma is here to really make a big mess, put the fire to your house of beliefs, totally put things upside down.

Thank you Taigu. I have been ploughing and not cultivating recently: this has helped show me that it is exactly what was needed. Gassho.

[monkeymind]

You want to be in control? You want to calm down the beast? Get less involved in mental rubbish? Well, welcome to the followers of the first yana as Chogyam Trungpa puts it: you may now get yourself as a wonder Arhat, a spiritual champion, an athlete of the mind, a solitary impeccable and detached sitter. An emaciated ascetic drunk with visions and promises. Totally stunned with the ideas of good versus bad. Well done, a few drinks, the company of a nice looking sexy boy or a great lady in your arms, and your twenty years of sitting in the forest are in the gutter, down the drain. Welcome to the party!!!


Needless to say that as soon as you realize the second yana, Mahayana, the field of confusion, the screaming hords of Mara are instantly embraced by the power of compassion. At the third yana, Tantrayana, they are turned into clarity right on the spot.

Second problem here , you might be stuck in the first step, first yana, seeking for calm and equanimity, using Dharma as a good medecine. And yet Dharma is here to really make a big mess, put the fire to your house of beliefs, totally put things upside down.

So ploughing clouds...digging the dirt as peter Gabriel would say. And realizing that this is really The Dharma field, and dirt is another form of light.

Yes, yes! This monkey mind has spent countless hours on the cushion trying to put the cloud back together, smooth it over and turn it into icing on the moon! This mind has only scuffed the surface of the cloud so as not to stir it up too much, to keep the illusion of order in its life. What it has really needed, though, is deep digging, turning it over and over and over again. Ice is smoother than crashing waves but hurts like hell when you whack your head against it over and over again. Crashing waves may knock you over and take you to where you do not choose to go but such is their nature. Moon, clouds, ice, waves...existence.

Thank you, Taigu, for sharing.

Peace and blessings to all,
Richard

[Shinzan]

Sweeeeeeet! Just the turn of phrase I needed to hear.
Shinzan

[alan.r]

Thank you for going into the symbolism - what's interesting is that even without understanding of the symbolism, the heart of the matter is still there, can be intuited; as though the images are somehow beyond concepts and contain something of reality - I can't explain and am making a mess of it; just something felt.

Thank you Taigu.

Gassho

[Risho]

Gassho,

Risho

[Joyo]

Taigu, I just re-read this post. I've had quite the week, dealing with some very painful things right now. This teaching, the dharma, it has helped me so much. The clouds are there, yes, and sometimes they hurt so bad I don't know what to do or where to turn to get rid of them, and Mara is screaming!!! However, I am learning to not turn anywhere, but inside, to the Buddha within, and then, there is the moon, beyond the clouds. And I am learning that the dharma is so much more than calming the mind!!

Gassho,
Treena

[LucardieC]

With my deepest gratitude, I thank you for this.

I have been stuck in clouds, turned to fog for many months now. Reading this, and having others who understand how hard it can be to tell that "Gorilla" to stop thundering around has quieted some of the rushing in my soul.

A few tears came reading this, but they were cleansing and washed the dirt off my soul.

Gassho,

Chelsea

[Troy]

I did not know about the different yanas. Admittedly, I find myself focused on the first yana most of the time. You have challenged me, thank you Taigu

[Jakugan]

Thank you Taigu,

I too often seem to be stuck in the first stage, having a go at myself for my mind not being calm. I guess I am subtly trying to grasp at something else when what I should be doing is waking up to life in front of my eyes.

Gassho,

Simon.