A STUDY OF BUDDHADHAMMA TEACHING METHOD IN VAJRAYANA OF CHÖGYAM TRUNGPA RINPOCHE

Abstract

In the Buddha’s lifetime, the Buddha used various methods of spreading the Buddha dhamma applied to the geographical environment, social history and different traditions of each region. His teaching styles are such the discrimination of target groups, the teaching manner, teaching techniques, tactics and strategies for better teaching. He has been hailed as the greatest teacher and as a role model for Buddhist monks in spreading the Buddha-dhamma as well.

In the Buddha-dhamma teaching of Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, it can be analyzed that he was a modern Buddhist meditation master of Vajrayāna Buddhism, who was a major figure in the dissemination of Vajrayāna Buddhism to the West. His instruction and interpretation of Buddha-dhamma contrasts with original tradition. This is probably because he was educated in the West, that is, he once studied at the University of Oxford, England. He has sometimes abandoned the concept of external forms as religious symbols, but at the same time he never abandoned the truth. His Buddha-dhamma teaching focuses on the direct experience and teaching techniques by contemporary such as adaptation to the modern era, meditation, social vision, teaching in the form of artists and so on. He has applied Buddhism to the West, thus causing a new way of living in the Western world.

It can be said that Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche used various teaching methods similar to the Buddha's teaching, which are the teaching materials, Idealization and demonstrations, language usage, taking on a new meaning, knowing the timing and opportunity, the flexibility in the use of teaching methods and so on. This is a style and guideline that becomes his identity. His propagation of Buddha-dhamma is consistent with that of the Buddha positively. However, some of his teaching methods and actions were the topic of controversy during his lifetime and afterwards.