The Same Tea - Different Tea Pots
/“Buddhism is distinguished by four characteristics, or ‘seals. If all these four seals are found in a path or a philosophy, it can be considered the path of the Buddha.”
“Every authentic teaching of the Buddha must bear three Dharma Seals: impermanence, non-self, and nirvana.”
What is the essence of Buddhism that all paths and schools agree upon?
Buddhist study can be a perplexing process for novice practitioners confronted with multiple schools of thought sometimes presenting markedly different views on the Buddha's teachings. The quotes above, from renowned Vietnamese Zen master, Thich Nhat Hahn, and Tibetan Mahayana Lama, Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche, illustrates just one example of two ostensibly different views of the same subject. What did the Buddha teach exactly? Which school of thought is right? What are the differences and similarities of the main paths of Buddhism? What do these strange sounding words mean?
It quickly becomes apparent that all the Buddhist schools vary on the exact nature of the path to liberation, the canonical status of the various teachings & scriptures and even on the status of the Buddha himself. Was he a man, a deity, a symbol of the enlightened state, or all of the above? What is the essence of Buddhism that all paths and schools agree upon?
This is the overarching question I have often asked myself when I've studied with various Buddhist masters and teachers from different cultures and traditions. The Four Noble Truths is the obvious choice, but with the dizzying array of sutras and tantras also available, one can get lost in the minutiae of philosophical discourses and commentaries, let alone when opinions of other Buddhist practitioners are thrown into the mix.
In my last trip to Thailand, for example, it soon became clear that some of the Thai laypeople I encountered possessed a cultural view of 'Buddhism' - they performed "Buddhist" rituals but didn't know what they for, or had little knowledge of what the Buddha actually taught. It highlighted how cultural traditions have influenced the interpretation of the teachings and why there appear to be so many differences in approach and practice of Buddha Dharma.
I found some of the answers in Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche’s book, What Makes You Not a Buddhist. It presents a helpful analogy of the Buddha’s teaching of the Four Seals being like the same tea poured into different tea cups, each representing the different schools and traditions of Buddhism. Each cup is imbued with the beauty and individuality of each culture where it took root and flourished. The unique designs of each cup explain the differences in approach and presentation of the teachings - including whether the Dharma seals number three or four!
There were "Three Turnings of the Wheel of Dharma", (here again, some schools say 'four') which mark three significant historical events when new developments in Buddhist thought emerged in India. “Turning the Wheel” is a metaphor for the new teachings being expounded and set in motion. All three "turnings" are said to have been attributed to the historical Buddha, which is the primary source of controversy. For example, the second and third turnings (the establishment of Mahayana and Vajrayana) were not publicly known until centuries after the passing of Sakyamuni Buddha, the historical Buddha. There is some conjecture that these teachings were given to specific students to be revealed later after a prescribed time. The truth is no one really knows and an element of faith is required in practicing a path.
One thing I know is the Buddha stated that one's spiritual journey is a personal one. You can't compare a diamond to pearl. Each is beautiful in its own right. Likewise, people are individuals with different temperaments and wisdom based on their experiences. The important thing is to choose a path that resonates with you and stick to it -at least until you have mastered it sufficiently to decide whether or not it is suitable for you before embarking on another one. Good musicians specialise and master one instrument first. This process provides a sound foundation for any others they choose to adopt thereafter.
Disclaimer: I am not a Buddhist scholar but a meditation practitioner. I designed this infographic to consolidate my understanding of the Buddha's teachings and to offer it to others for their own edification. It's based on what I've researched or understood from studies under various teachers and lamas throughout my life. All credit goes to them for anything you find useful. If I've made any glaring mistakes in the content, please feel free to comment below.
