Great Western Vehicle

The Great Western Vehicle is a 4th Wheel Buddhist tradition that seeks to teach Buddhist philosophy and contemplative practices within the context of any culture or religious tradition. They are not interested in Buddhism as a religion, but as a philosophy and practice strategy (dharma) that any one can follow to enlightenment, regardless of their cultural or religious background.

Like the Charismatic Christian movements, the Great Western Vehicle is a Charismatic movement within Buddhism and professes to teach Ecstatic Buddhism. Ecstatic Buddhism is interested in developing the charisms, which they call fruit (phala). These charisms, or fruit (phala) are developed through leading a contemplative life.

The fruit (phala) of the contemplative life is very much like the “sign-gifts” of the Holy Spirit, which are the charisms of prophesy, healing, and speaking in tongues, as described in the Christian Gospels 1 Corinthians 12. Ecstatic Buddhists and the Great Western Vehicle look to the Discourses of the Buddha where the fruit (phala) of the contemplative life is described in detail, and most notably in the Samaññaphala Sutta (DN 2) “The Discourse on the Fruits of the Contemplative Life”
 
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