Lineage

I have been hearing this word, “lineages,” mostly in the context of Dharma but also sometimes just in my general conversations with people. In the context of Dharma, we’re referring to how and/or where we received our practice. In my case, I grew up in a country Buddhism is considered to be a primary religion along with Shinto (although I don’t view Shinto as a religion, and that’s another story). Yet, as I’ve shared over the years with some of my friends and with my Sangha, the only association I had with Buddhist practice growing up was funerals. Most funerals I attended as a child were conducted by Buddhist priests who chanted the suttas I had no idea what he was saying. As a teenager, I developed affinity to Buddhist temples as their grounds were usually very tranquil. Even then I didn’t have much appreciation of Buddhist teaching let alone understanding.

It wasn’t until a friend took me to hear Shinzen Young, my first teacher in my current practice, that I actually started to “practice” and study the teachings. Even within Buddhism, there are denominations and sects that I have a hard time remembering. And in today’s Buddhism in the West, we have different lineages of teachers and centers, etc.

Then there’s the “genealogical lineage.” Yeah, the family. I actually don’t have much information about my family of origin beyond my grandparents’ generation. I have some basic information from late 19th Century, but not much more. I would be interesting to do some research one day to learn more about my genealogical lineage.

Also, I hear this term in terms of “lineage of trauma.” It is a much, much deeper conversation than I can delve into now, but I’ve begun to understand how I, too, carry some of the traumas that happened to my ancestors in my being. It’s nobody’s fault, but evolution of humanity. And that’s one of the reasons I love this practice and many other tools and resources available to us these days to be awakened and to heal. #YouCanSitWithUs

Happy Thanksgiving!