There are many lineages or Buddhist traditions. After looking around, we should settle down and stick to one.
Question: I have read a lot about Tibetan Buddhism. There are many lineages and it seems like each lineage says that their own lineage is ‘the best’, ‘the one that is full of blessings’?
by Khenpo Tashi
In general, if we go into a restaurant with a friend, when we say that ‘This dish is very nice’ to our friend, do we mean that all the other choices taste ‘disgusting’? We are simply explaining the goodness of one dish, isn’t it?
Similarly, when someone says that this or that lineage is full of blessings, they are just emphasizing the qualities of their lineage. They are not speaking negatively of other lineages.
Anyway, all Buddhist lineages come from Buddha Shakyamuni himself or some other fully Enlightened Buddha. So they are all pure.
So, we should check the lineage for ourselves.
Focus on one practice first
I would also like to add that these days, people who visit the temple and are knowledgeable on Tibetan Buddhism seem to practice all kinds of practices. Green Tara in the morning, Vajrakilaya when they feel afraid, Amitabha at night and so on.
We should humbly admit to ourselves that we are beginners.
We should practice one first and complete one before receiving another set of teachings. Respecting all lineages is an excellent view. We respect them as equal teachings of Buddha Shakyamuni.
However, for our personal practice, it is best to stick to one or two practices only. When we practice intensely and faithfully and we have received signs of accomplishment in one practice, then we may proceed to other practices.
If we practice everything at the same time, we will not ‘finish’ even a single practice.