[Help] Can one being Buddhist, explore the occult?

[Furva]

So, im a buddhist, have been for some time now, self discovery led me to many places, the buddha's teachings are the only thing that keep me in the right path. but i'ts not secret that the mind bears powers, light and dark forces can be manipulated by one's strong mindset. My question is, now that my mind is free from desire, from aspirations and expectations, without judgement i seek to explore into the occult, mostly LHP is what catches my attention, my goal is mostly self knowledge, but im also interested in uncovering the truths of the world that are hidden from the sleeping ones, im into esoteric magic and demonology, so if anyone has some good suggestions on how to approach these topics or what mentality and expectations should i have or not have when investigating would be very appreciated. i know the buddha thaught specifically about not pondering into the powers of the mind, but is no secret that both light and darkness exist in this world and both have it's powers and temptations, i want to explore both of them. Sorry if it's not the right place for this just wantet to get som insight for more experienced people with the occult, if you want to debate if a buddhist shoud or should not explore these things feel free to use this post aswell.

 

[HoldAll]

My question is, now that my mind is free from desire, from aspirations and expectations, without judgement i seek to explore into the occult

Tibetan lamas usually react very politely to such claims and say, "These things are very very subtle" so I'd be very very cautious to proceed from this assumption and consider yourself completely liberated from all harmful passions.

Lots of magic in Buddhism, it seems... Anyway, I suggest reading this post by @Wintruz so you'll know what awaits you on the LHP. @Wintruz always stresses the importance of rigorous self-discipline, that's what the two paths have in common.

 

[Furva]

Tibetan lamas usually react very politely to such claims and say, "These things are very very subtle" so I'd be very very cautious to proceed from this assumption and consider yourself completely liberated from all harmful passions.

Lots of magic in Buddhism, it seems... Anyway, I suggest reading this post by @Wintruz so you'll know what awaits you on the LHP. @Wintruz always stresses the importance of rigorous self-discipline, that's what the two paths have in common.

i agree, maybe i was a little too expresive there, im still human, im not free from ALL desire judgment nor emotions, but i learned how to let them pass, what i meant is that my mind is focused, calm, and as empty as i can for the time, ofc i still feel there's more road to walk so i thank you for humbling me, and thanks for the info i will check it out

 

[Ziran]

My question is, now that my mind is free from desire, from aspirations and expectations, without judgement i seek...

Free from desire, there is nothing to seek

 

[Furva]

Free from desire, there is nothing to seek

from the buddhist perspective you are correct, however outside buddhism box there's plenty more, even buddha warned about what lurks beyond the path there's always a seek for a seeker.

 

[Ziran]

from the buddhist perspective you are correct, however outside buddhism box there's plenty more, even buddha warned about what lurks beyond the path there's always a seek for a seeker.

You have answered your own question.

Question: "Can one being Buddhist, explore the occult?"

Answer: "Outside the Buddhism box there's plenty more."

 

[IllusiveOwl]

In China Buddhism and Daoism are mixed in a very cool, esoteric way. Buddhism's "Skillful means" are inherently magical as well.

If it's your Dharma to grow powerful and wise, do so for the benefit of all beings and you'll be good in the eyes of the Budddha. Many of the abilities and powers Buddhas/ Bodhisattvas have claimed to possess are also downright mystical. The Tibetan Buddhists are some of the world's most prolific psychonauts.

Be careful not to label yourself as strictly Buddhist, though, as this would discriminate you from the All and would go against Buddhist doctrine. To claim to be anything or anybody is inherently anti-buddhist, for we can only discriminate the waves, but we truly are the ocean.

 

[fraterosiris]

When I was in Shenzhen, China with my ex girlfriend, we went to a Buddhist temple and I participated in a "ritual" there. To do this ritual, you had to walk around a large room (room of 10,000 Buddhas or something like that) a few times and pray (remembering to always bow three times when praying). After this, you went up to something that looked like a vending machine and scanned it with WeChat on your phone. The machine gave you a plastic card talisman of (I think) Maitreiya.

In other words:
1. I had to circumambulate the temple
2. Ritualistic prayers
3. This basically ended up with me charging a talisman

I am a Chinese speaker (although I am not Chinese), and one thing I've learned since moving to Hong Kong is that there isn't exactly a word in Chinese for what the Western Esoteric Tradition refers to as "magic." The two most commonly used words for "magic" that I know of (法术 fa3 shu4, 魔法 mo2 fa3), seem to make people think more of movies than of the actual occult. Meanwhile, in China there are things like feng shui, qigong, internal martial arts, etc., which would definitely be classified as "magic" by the Western Esoteric Tradition. For what it's worth, Chinese also doesn't have a word for "yes."

So yes, I would think a Buddhist could practice the occult, and that depending on how involved in Buddhism you are (I'm not a Buddhist, just a Catholic), you might already be doing occult things and not even knowing it!

 

[Konsciencia]

You can combined the two. There's no right or wrong. If your Soul is yearning for some Occult practices. I think you should let it. Perhaps, is for a reason.

 

[Philou]

Don't perform money rituals and you'll be fine.

 

[Amur]

Occultism usually begins with the mastering of mind. Later on it begins with mastering of Spirit. So it could be very giving for you to look into some occultistical practices. Don't see why you couldn't take both paths. Any reason for you asking this question?

 

[Vossen]

Lucifer reveres the Buddha. One of the Luciferian folks I know said so. We guessed that might be due to the fact both are the light of enlightenment. If you have doubts, you should summon Gautam Buddha to guide you. Otherwise exploring the occult is fine, as long as you harm none

 

[Xingtian]

Buddhism as it is practiced in Asia is pretty inseparable from some kind of "occultism". This is the case not just of the Vajrayana but in mainstream East Asian Mahayana and, in different ways, Theravada as well. Unlike in the Vajrayana system, in these latter places the esoteric practices were just taken as part of the Mahayana and some of them became really popular. @fraterosiris gave a good example of how esoteric rituals have been incorporated into popular Buddhism. Some of it shows Daoist influence- Daoists and Buddhists engaged in a lot of competitive copying of each other's stuff- but a lot of it is rooted in Indian and Central Asian Buddhism too. Buddhism as it is usually presented in Western Zen centers and philosophy courses is a bowdlerized, bloodless caricature, and someone trained in this view will often be shocked to encounter Buddhism in Asia. A while back I shared my translation of one Buddhist sutra that is basically a grimoire The Sutra on the Eleven-Faced Heart of Dharanis

 

[MorganBlack]

In Thailand people meditate and focus on the Buddha, the monks teach Buddhist principles, and perform religious ceremonies like ordinations and funerals - but then Thai folks head on down to the cemetery for sorcery work.

See Jenx and his Thai Occult for more details (below).

It is very similar to New World sorcery traditions to focus on personal theosis/ self-coherence to settle some of your personal hash, and then engage with the sublunar spirit world seeking allies. Or you can all skip that holy stuff and do it the hard way.

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[Wannabewizard]

When I was looking into Buddhism, I found some interesting stuff. I found it natural to look for Buddhist magic. I even saw references somewhere about ancient battle magic.

Maybe this book would help?

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