My sister has been trying to encourage me to write books or a book. I have an idea about what would be good material for a book. I thought perhaps of writing about Buddhism in a way that shows how all of the schools are connected, by schools I am pointing to the different forms of Buddhism in the world. So, you who are reading this, what would you like to read in a book?

Looking forward to your book project! It will be nice if there is a graphic chart to display different schools and how they related like branches (because I am an visual person :) How about the meditation technique from each school? And what's one's realization if follow that meditation properly? The famous quotes from each school will be wonderful as well. Please let me know if you need any graphic design help for your book project. Thank you for all your effort on continuing enlighten us!!

As a beginner, it might be easy to pick a school for one reason; as an intermediate student it may become comfortable to settle into specific habits within a school. So, maybe some of us, by being school-specific, are perpetuating the illusion of separateness without knowing? For this reason, I would very much enjoy a book distilling the connections among the varying schools of Buddhism. How wonderful! Connecting the spiritual dots from the traditionally Tibetan to the modern day Aikidoist? Very exciting!

I would be curious to read about how varying schools interpret the transformation of study into every day action.

I realize this post is several months old, but just became aware of this site. As far as I know, the book may already be completed!

Some thoughts:

1) A book regarding various schools would be awesome. Once read that there's 80% commonality, and it's only when one gets into "ultimate nature" that there's some differences.

2)Writing about the "flow" of various schools in one's own life. His Holiness put forth that at the beginning, study them all to see what fits. In the middle, dedicate yourself to one school to master. And after that is mastered, then go on to studying the other schools.

3) Stressing the importance that even though one may be dedicated to one school/tradition, one's practice is only benefited by respecting other traditions. Whether it was conscious or not, have seen (and even participated in) the whole "My tradition is REALLY the only one."

4) The importance of not mixing traditions. Most Holy Khen Rinpoche always stressed the importance of not mixing traditions...they're only effective because they've been kept pure for hundreds, if not thousands, of years. There's much "buffet Buddhism" out there.

If you're not pursuing this topic for a book, here's another idea. One that I think would greatly benefit people. A text on the pitfalls that are common to entering the path. Here are some topics that could maybe be covered, and would absolutely love to see you put to print:

1) Extreme intellectulization of the path vs "La La Land" vs appropriate levels of functionality.

2) The fundamental importance of shi-ney. Easy to get lost in study or complex practices, ignoring the primary aspect of calm abiding.

3) Lama devotion - seeing one's lama as inherently existent "savior" vs true role of "teacher." Tied in with this is the fact that you may think your teacher is a Buddha, but not everyone else does.

4) Renunciation - what does it really mean? Just getting rid of stuff? If not, how does one know when one has it vs just kidding one's self?

5) The vital importance of ethics. Have seen ethics get lost, and some holding the view "vajrayana pure view overrides pratimoksha."

6) Sutra vs tantra - how to avoid the dangers of thinking you know what you're doing with Vajrayana <laughing>

7) Finding a teacher - red flags to look out for to avoid teachers who don't know what they're doing, to avoid cult mentality.

Just some ideas. Thanks for letting me share.

The posts so far have been really great. I especially appreciate SteveMichaelski's suggestions. To add to some of what SteveMichaelski said:

Choosing a school -- can include helpful tips and red flags on finding a teacher, as every teacher is a "school within a school". How to maintain healthy skepticism of every teacher you meet - I remember when I went to my first Dharma class, I viewed the teacher and the teaching as representative of Buddhism as a whole, when in reality every teacher within Buddhism is different. Also, advice on not rushing into anything that your not comfortable with, until you've considered many options and paths and teachers and teachings, even if it seems like the teacher is telling you to (if the teacher or other students at the class seem to be pressuring you, this is probably a red-flag). Also, how to not go about searching with the idea that there is one school of practice/thought out there that is self-existently correct. Rather, all schools exist because they are beneficial to somebody.

Once you've chosen a school -- if the karma to see this one school as perfect shifts, how to recognize the line between sticking it out and knowing when it's time to find something different because this one just isn't working. Also, how to maintain respect for other traditions and learn from them, without mixing traditions, while keeping your tradition pure.