Buddhist teachings come from the Buddha

 It is very important to remember the Buddha, in order to keep authenticity alive. This is why we value the precious unbroken lineages. It is so easy to mix these teachings up with philosophies, psychologies and science so that we forget the origin – our buddha nature – which is beyond all physical and mental existence.

 If we rewrite these teachings our own way, become popular, and never mention the Buddha, we degrade the teachings: they will lose genuine authentic power. “Out with the old and in with the new and charismatic!”

 The Buddha’s teachings are so beautifully simple, but our minds are so complex. Words become sound bytes, used to impress others. Names are banded around, but there is a lack of genuine compassion. Still, we all have to start somewhere, but the source is always our own buddha nature, and we have to know what that is.

 There are many approaches to life. We just have to find the one that suits us and stick with it, as there are subtleties within subtleties. Remember – life is short, and everything is impermanent. If we mix up teachings, we will not be able to taste anything: just like eating a soup, with everything thrown into it we’ll end up with indigestion! Mixing teachings pulls us in many directions, and we will feel a subtle doubt, without knowing quite why.

 We can mix systems when discussing philosophy, but when it comes to actual experience, subtleties are beyond words. It depends on what works for you.

 From time to time, it’s good to have a nibble another’s table to appreciate their food, but it is to their taste, and maybe not to ours.

The Buddha said:
“Test and weigh my teachings, as you would gold.”

 The Buddha said:
“Your realisation depends on you.”
He did not say,
“Your realisation depends on me.”

 One of my teachers said:
“Once we have recognised the truth,
then a thousand Buddhas saying
we are wrong will not deter us!”