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Pema Ö

Discovering Buddhism

An introduction to Tibetan Buddhism and its teachings

Founded in India over 2,500 years ago, Buddhism is a living tradition that includes countless schools, branches and teachings. The practice aims at an authentic spiritual awakening and at the eradication of suffering, of its root causes and of the patterns that perpetuate confusion. By following this path, one cultivates, among other things, mental calmness, loving-kindness, courage, wisdom and discernment, in order to learn to see things as they really are, to be more at ease with one's own mind, to be better able to engage with the world, and to extract the essence of one's precious human life.

The diversity of means and methods included in the teachings of the Buddha and the masters who have followed him is unfathomable. It is vast, incredibly vast! Our community more specifically studies Tibetan Buddhism (or "Indo-Himalayan" Buddhism, with India, Bhutan and other neighboring regions also playing a crucial role). This approach harmoniously combines the "three vehicles":

  1. The Hinayana, or "Fundamental Vehicle," emphasizes one's inner freedom and includes teachings that are common to all Buddhist traditions.
  2. The Mahayana, or "Great Vehicle," emphasizes the ideal of the bodhisattva (the wish to fully awaken for the benefit of all beings, and to bring all beings to that same state) and the trainings that belong to it, which particularly help cultivate authentic compassion and the wisdom of emptiness.
  3. The Vajrayana, or "Adamantine Vehicle," is a natural extension of the previous one, and includes more energetic means that require the guidance of a qualified teacher; this vehicle also incorporates powerful symbolism that constantly reminds the practitioner of the qualities of awakening.

Another rough description would go as follows: in the Hinayana, one learns to tame the mind, which can be likened to a mischievous monkey, and to renounce all sorts of bad habits by contemplating, among other things, the "four truths of the noble ones"; this leads to a certain inner peace, which is a necessary condition for the emergence of clarity. In the Mahayana, we train to further open our hearts, we cultivate generosity, patience and strength of character, and we further refine our wisdom faculties. Then, on this calm, stable and altruistic basis, one can be initiated into the extraordinary methods of the Vajrayana: one learns to transform emotions and to use all aspects of one's experience (e.g. images, sounds, thoughts) to develop a sacred outlook and thus have a much more flexible and skillful relationship with oneself and the world.

Each vehicle includes different practices of shamatha (calm abiding) and vipashyana (superior insight or "clear seeing"), as well as rituals (which range from utterly simple to highly elaborate). The same can be said of all schools of Tibetan Buddhism. Another common thread is the cultivation of bodhicitta—the altruistic mind of awakening—by recognizing the suffering within and around us, and by joyfully committing to try and get the best out of every situation that arises. We discover a balanced approach that allows us to consider life's difficulties without naivety, while cultivating a resilient attitude, full of kindness and humor.

Together, the three vehicles of Buddhism address the different personalities and abilities of people, regardless of gender, age, or cultural background. Moreover, the vast body of Buddhist teachings covers all spheres of human experience and all essential subjects: meditation, ethics, philosophy, psychology, phenomenology, ontology, epistemology, logic, creativity, health, mindful living, community involvement, relationship with the natural environment, and so on.

This list is not meant to overwhelm, but to inspire! It is always possible to receive simple, practical instructions, to engage in bare-bones yet profound contemplation, and to be introduced to meditation without fuss. The exploration of the different areas listed above and the degree of study varies considerably from one person to the next. The angle from which one approaches them, the exact structure of the practice, and one's personal priorities also change over time. In any case, the purpose of study, reflection and meditation is not to feed the ego or to become "someone else." Besides, it is comforting to note that the Buddha taught all kinds of people—be they rich, poor, young, old, ordained, lay, proud, humble, skeptical, devout, famous, anonymous, nerdy, depressed, skilled, goofy, fearless or lazy!

In any event, to avoid misunderstandings and pitfalls, a progressive and balanced approach is recommended. Above all, one must be well guided and draw on reliable sources. In this regard, Tibetan Buddhism places great importance on the notion of lineage: an authentic lineage allows one to learn proven methods, to connect with previous generations of practitioners, and to continually renew inspiration. Our community follows the Nyingma tradition, the oldest tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, which has produced a remarkable number of enlightened masters over the centuries. To learn more about this tradition, visit the Tradition and Lineage page.

You can also consult our reading suggestions. Among other recommendations, What Makes You Not a Buddhist by Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse is a funny and provocative book, which puts into perspective the foundations of Buddhist thought. You can also read the transcripts of two talks that our local coordinator has offered on fundamental subjects:

If you read French, you are welcome to subscribe to our newsletter: it provides inspiring quotes, as well as all the details concerning our activities. The atmosphere is friendly and participants have frequent opportunities to ask questions.