Is Yoga Better then Buddhism

Is Yoga Better then Buddhism?

It may not be a worthwhile or skillful thing to dwell

too long or too often on whether Buddhism is better

then Yoga or Yoga is better then Buddhism.

To reflect on such a thing in order to think that our

path or way is better then another's or that we are

more spiritually advanced then others would be utter foolishness and a waste of time.

At the same time, any calm or studious investigation

of each of these paths and practices and the various

components that make them up may assist us in deciding

which one is best for us to learn and practice, or how

we can use techniques and practices from both

disciplines to gain those states of being that we wish

for or are told that we can achieve.

Perhaps in its simplest terms we could describe the

practice of Yoga, if one practices all of its

components, as being more physically demanding and

challenging in some respects then Buddhism.

But since the core teaching and practice of both Yoga

and Buddhism is meditation, that may not be an

important point.

It does seem that many who practice Yoga in these

modern times are focusing more on its physical

practice and its other techniques, practices and

teachings are pursued by a small minority.

These various techniques, practices and teachings can

be thought of as being mental and physical activities

involving knowledge, action and devotion, in addition

to morals and ethics involving honesty, non –

violence, loving kindness, and compassion, among other

things.

Two important teachings of Yoga that make it so

powerful and in many ways far more comprehensive then

Buddhism are purity and austerity, two teachings that

are closely related and intertwined.

In order to cultivate purity we must practice

austerity.

They involve many things in thought, word and action,

many of which are seldom covered in a “Yoga” session

or even in some writings and commentaries on the Yoga scriptures.

To think, speak and act in a pure manner means that we

must be mindful, accountable, make a constant effort

and have energy and self - discipline.

It means that we must put aside our aversions, our frustrations, our anger and our pride and ego.

It may means that we must make changes that involve

saying no, eating, having and doing less and exploring

things that in the past seemed challenging,

troublesome or difficult to us.

Yoga, when taught in its most comprehensive and

holistic form guides us as to what our actions and

attitudes are as regards diet, sleep and leisure

activities should be, whereas Buddhism may seldom

explore these aspects of our existence in any great

detail.

Yoga teaches us ways that help us cultivate the

ability to practice concentration and meditation,

through relaxation and posture practice and breathing techniques, while Buddhism just asks of us that we sit in a meditative

posture and practice.

The system of morals and ethics that yoga puts forth

covers all of the morals and ethics put forth in

Buddhism and goes a step further, emphasizing the need

for acceptance and self – study, contentment and non –

greed, and a restraint of sexual desires and activity

to the point of abstention.

When Yoga is practiced in such a way, in its totality,

it can manifest itself as a powerful and comprehensive

system of mental and physical purification that is not

matched throughout the world.

Perhaps Yoga is a better system of mental and physical purification then Buddhism is, when it is practiced in such a manner.

(John lives and teaches in Bangkok, Thailand. He can

be reached at johnckimbrough@yahoo.com)