Path of Action

Liberation in the Palm of Your Hand, pg.68 states:

distinctions such as Mahayana versus Hinayana, or theoretical Dharma versus practical Dharma – and abandon part of the Dharma, producing a continual stream of the direct type of karma. The obscuration that result are extremely heavy

The idea being that abandoning any of the Buddhadharma is a bad idea because it results in a heavy unwholesome deed.

I am am often quick to focus on the areas of the dharma that I find interesting or easy to hear. I often pass lightly over sections that I find unappealing, technically complicated or difficult for me to hear. In the quote presented above, it is clear that this attitude is a bad idea.

Balance of two opposing ideas: So I guess this suggests that I need to balance these two opposing ideas:

1. Being open to all authentic sources of the Buddhadharma, whether it be my preferred Tibetan Buddhism, or another Mahayana presentation of the Dharma such as Chinese or Japanese, or the Thai or Vietnamese Hinayana presentations. I should be more open to these other, authentic presentations of the Buddhadharma. By “authentic” I use this to disqualify Western forms of Buddhism where the Dharma has been edited / sullied.
2. There are many pathways up the mountain, but to reach the top one must walk one pathway. From the Tibetan Buddhist point of view, this requires a reliance upon a qulified teacher who will guide me (the student) through the various stages of development, using their extensive scriptural understanding and knowledge based upon meditation experience.

Conclusion: While I have my focus for my own spiritual development, I should still be open to other presentations of the Buddhadharma.