Methods of Practicing Buddhism

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There are many ways of practicing Buddhism, about eighty four thousand kinds. Each path is different from others but ultimately leads to the same goals: enlightenment, proper thoughts and viewpoints and purity. As such, all paths are equal without one being superior to the other. People have different abilities and levels of accomplishments. Furthermore, they are from different environments and should choose a path most suited to them. We can choose any one of the three goals to concentrate our practice on. When we achieve any one of them, the two will come naturally.

There are ten schools of practice in Chinese Buddhism. Zen stresses the pursuit of the perfect clear mind or enlightenment. The Pure Land and Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana school) stress on obtaining the pure mind. Other schools concentrate their practice on proper thoughts and viewpoints. Regardless of which method or school one chooses, they all lead to the same outcome. In other words, when we become an expert in one method, we will become an expert in all methods.

The purity of the world comes from an individual’s inner purity. With a pure mind, a mind without discrimination or attachment, a higher level of wisdom arises in which the world around us naturally comes into harmony. By reciting the Buddha’s name, meditating, reciting sutras or mantras and practicing in accordance with Buddha’s teaching, one will attain enlightenment, proper thoughts and viewpoints nd purity of mind thus becoming void of deluded thoughts.

On the other hand, one is totally on the wrong path if one chants Buddha’s name in hope of gaining promotion and wealth. That is religion and superstition and it goes against the teachings of Sakyamuni Buddha.

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