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Keywords: Yoga and Buddhism (May 2003)

ORIGINAL QUESTION:

Marcia Framsted, AYTT 1989

A friend is planning to take yoga teacher training and forwarded me a copy of the "suggested reading".  There are extensive selections on Buddhism.  I find this surprising.  Yoga Journal also has had some articles on Buddhism.  Isn't the Eight Limbed Path enough?  I'd appreciate some input on this...divergence, or whatever it is.  Thanks.


ANSWERS:

From Gyandev:

Dear Marcia,

Excellent question. At the same time that we see a growing respect between the two traditions, there¹s also a growing confusion about them. Perhaps Yoga and Buddhism are not suffering from this, but many individuals are.

I'm not talking here about people who simply honor inspiration wherever they find it. That is very healthy. I'm talking about sincere seekers not knowing how to follow their chosen pathor even how to choose a path to begin with. They moosh together the teachings of two or more paths, whether intentionally or accidentally, and think that will take them somewhere.

In the Jan/Feb 1995 issue of Yoga International magazine, Dr. David Frawley addressed this topic. After pointing out some of the significant ways in which Yoga and Buddhism are different from, or even contradict, each other, he wrote: "In theory, it is easy to recognize similarities between spiritual paths; in practice we should stick to one. Switching back and forth between traditions and teachers will not help us on our upward journey. In fact, attempting to combine traditions can be dangerous. There is a real risk of becoming lost or confused. Superficial synthesis, which is largely a mental exercise, is no substitute for deep practice. All great teachers agree that jumping back and forth between teachers and traditions will prevent the seeker from getting anywhere with any of them. They all say that there are many paths up the mountain, but to reach the summit we must choose one. The end is not to combine traditions, but to reach the goalwhich is to know our own true nature. This requires taking one single path out to the end." (I have asked Yoga International for permission to send it out to you. If they consent, I'll let everyone know via AYSutra.)

Many asana practitioners (and sadly, even yoga teachers) don¹t know their own tradition. They think that Yoga = asanas. Thus, when they look for something moreas many dothey look outside of Yoga. I actually know yogis (and this includes a certain yoga magazine) who think that Yoga has no meditation tradition, so they turn to Buddhism. The irony is not only that meditation is the core practice of Yoga, but that Yoga meditation predates Buddhism by millennia!

Dr. Frawley's admonition also applies to mixing different Yoga traditions, which is perhaps even more rampant than mixing Yoga and Buddhism. For all the similarities they may share, different Yoga traditions are, quite simply, differentoften drastically. As I travel, I see many people (especially yoga teachers) who describe themselves, often somewhat proudly, as "eclectic." I think there¹s another word that describes them: "adrift." An eclectic approach can¹t draw upon the spiritual power of any traditionand it carries both confusion and risk. I wrote about this in the article, "What is Ananda Yoga?", which ran in Awake & Ready! a few years ago, and which all recent AYTT grads received at graduation. If you would like a copy, please request it via AYSutra.

Many blessings,
Gyandev


Hanuman (George A. Novak) AYTT Jan 2001

Smile-utations Marcia

Yoga is, by it's nature, a personal journey of self discovery, and throughout recorded history and before people have been making notes of their journey in an  effort to help others. What may seem a divergence for your path can be a Rosetta stone for another, allowing them a key into understanding all of the wonders that they are experiencing. Yoga, as well, is an inclusive practice, not exclusive, and so any practitioner of yoga can use it to deepen their own spiritual beliefs. All paths have their truths.

From your question I sense that perhaps you are finding the philosophy, be it Patanjali's Yoga Sutra's, Buddhism or anything else, is a hindrance to your practice, or at least a diffusion. The wonder of Yoga is that this is okay, but at the same time we don't want to restrict something that may be just right for someone else.

May your days be as wonderful as you are ...

Hanuman (George A. Novak)


Since Buddhism evolved out of yoga, the core teachings are likely to be the same. Not all of us are able to understand truth through the terminology. Some of us "get it" through different teachers, and I suspect that whoever is running your friend's program understands and teaches some ideas best through the "Buddhist" framework.  It is my understanding that yoga terms are & would also be taught if the program is accepted by the Yoga Alliance. The Eight Limbs theory and practice is taught by most spiritual traditions, it just has different names.  There is more than one way of presenting spiritual truth.

Susana Mullen, Sacramento, CA


Gerry Swan AYTT 2002

Certainly the eight limbed path gives us plenty of food for thought.  We could spend a life time getting to deeper and deeper understandings of the meanings. Yet, remember the prayer that starts most morning Sadhana at Expanding Lightwhen the saints and sages of all religions are invoked? Isn't the Buddha is one of these sages.

One of my personal heroes is the Dalai Lama.  Besides living an exemplary life of love and peace, he has shared his thoughts and beliefs through his books and teachings.  Reading the Dalai Lama's works exposes one to Buddha's teachings.

Recently a friend loaned me a book on tape "Buddha" by Karen Armstrong, read by Kate Reading.  In this "book" it is clearly stated that in his search for enlightenment the Buddha was taught and practiced Yoga.  And that it was through the advanced Yoga practice that he reached enlightenment. (So...we know what he was doing under that tree).

The Buddha encouraged, in fact insisted, his disciples conduct their individual searches for enlightenment.  Yoga, and the eight limbs were the means to attain this end.  Buddhism has become codified, as many other religious practices, but it is interesting that the Buddha achieved enlightenment through the very practice we study in the "eight limbs".

This is a rather long-winded way of saying, in my opinion, reading about the Buddha, and perhaps even studying his life as a "great saint and sage" cannot harm our practice, and may in fact deepen it.


From Kay Erdwinn:

Dear Yogi/inis,

There isn't much that conflicts between Hinduism and Buddhism, when taken at their most essential.  Some scholars even consider Buddhism a sect of Hinduism. But like with everything else in Yoga, take what you can use and leave the rest.  I don't agree with all the philosophy I read, either, but I still love Yoga.  Hope this helps.

Kay


From Preston Sult:

Dear Marcia,

As a poor, but regular practitioner of Buddhism and as a Yoga teacher let me quote my favorite band, " The Song Remains the Same..."

Buddhism arose out of Hindu practice and is based on many of the same principles.  For the sake of those who like to argue, there are some important differences, too.

The point really seems to be that we choose what is appropriate to each us in fulfilling our spiritual path. That's why there are so many to satisfy all seekers. The goal is the same....Likewise we can learn from each other and learn to grow together.

With respect for all my teachers and wishing blessings to you.

Preston


From Lisa Therrell, Leavenworth WA.  AYTT 1999

I'm not an "expert" on yoga and Buddhism, but perhaps it would help to think of it this wayyoga offers a philosophy.  That philosophy threads its way through all "eastern" religious traditions (not only Hinduism, but also Buddhism, Christianity, Judaism, Islam).  In our teaching we can limit ourselves to teaching asana, or perhaps add philosophy.  But if we can also help people see the connections within their own religious tradition plus that of other traditions it will move us towards the unity that the path of yoga is all about.