[2025 April DCTB Mindfulness Tip]
There are many Buddhist schools around the world who trace a lineage of physical teachers back to Buddha Shakyamuni. Their path is one of ancient footprints, each generation stepping into the grooves created by those who walked before them. Trikaya Buddhism is not one of these schools. It is a non-linear lineage. We practice a Buddhism based on direct experience.
Our eclectic school respects and honors those who preserve the precious teachings of past masters. They are providing a vital service and I encourage anyone who is drawn to study and preserve history to seek out the highest, brightest traditional sect they can find. It is a very noble path. I also encourage anyone who is committed to protecting the actual words of my teacher, Rama, to get involved with Rama Meditation Society and help them with their mission.
Rama’s biographer called him an American Buddhist Rebel. However he did not oppose tradition. Rather, he walked past the ancient footprints and took the Buddha himself as inspiration. Rama’s focus was on Enlightenment in this lifetime, in this body, by directly engaging with Enlightenment. Buddha Shakyamuni followed the practices available to him and when his search was not fruitful, he went his own way. He pulled upon the stubborn streak we all have and pointed his mind at Enlightenment until he realized his true nature. Like the Buddha, Rama explored the pathways available and once he embodied Truth, he shared his experience and perceptions.
This is the inspiration for Trikaya Buddhism – a path of directly encountering Enlightenment. Our non-linear lineage traces back to the essence of Buddha’s practice.
While at times the words of both Buddha and Rama sound proscriptive, if we listen deeply we hear the admonishment that we each must find our own way. No one can make us Enlightened. We must have our own private encounter with every aspect of our minor selves and deepest Self, and move beyond even these concepts into the purity of Light. Only we can make the choice to consciously step into the Void. No one can do it for us, no one can force us, and no one can tell us exactly how to do it.
Rama gave me the tools to make friends with my mind, to love all the pieces of myself – the same pieces I see in every other being – and to trust the Light above all else. In essence, he gave me crayons with which I could draw my own path. He even taught me how to make my own crayons when the just right color is needed!
Over the years using all I have learned, I’ve collected an entire box of crayons and called it Trikaya Buddhism. This is the bare, direct-path Buddhism of setting the intent on Awakening. Its non-linear lineage begins with the source of the ancient footprints: the heart-felt desire to know Truth above all else.
With this colorful array of crayons, I invite you to explore and play with us. I hope our adventures together inspire you to draw a pathway for yourself that you can then share to inspire future practitioners of Trikaya Buddhism. And as we leave our own ancient footprints for others, may they remain pliable enough to fit all who walk the Path.
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