Schools of Buddhism
Mahayana Buddhism
Mahayana BuddhismMahayana Buddhism is considered to be one of the two major schools of Buddhism. Also known as the Greater Vehicle, it first surfaced in the first century CE. Literally, Mahayana means Greater Ox-Cart and it serves as a more moderate and comprehensible interpretation of Buddhism. Not only the monks and ascetics, but also the common people may follow the path of Mahayana. Today, the sect is predominant in North Asia and the Far East, including China, Japan, Korea, Tibet and Mongolia. Read on this guide Mahayana Buddhism further to know more about Mahayana Buddhism.Mahayana Buddhism is based on the Pali Canon and accepts it as a holy scripture. Apart form Pali Canon, there are a number of other Sutras also in Mahayana, written later in Sanskrit. Mahayana Buddhists aim at achieving enlightenment and becoming bodhisattvas. Just like bodhisattvas, they also readily postpone their own nirvana to help the others in attaining the same. According to them, it is possible to achieve enlightenment in one life also and even a layman can realize this goal.
Mahayana Buddhism encourages the reverence of celestial beings, including Buddhas and bodhisattvas. Magical rites, religious rituals, ceremonies and the use of icons, images, etc, form a part of Mahayana Buddhism. There are a number of subdivisions within Mahayana. These include Zen, Nichiren, Dhyana and Pure Land. All these subdivisions agree on the basic belief that a single life is enough to attain nirvana, provided a person has the determination for it. However, ways of attaining this goal are different in each one of them.
Tibetan Buddhism
Tibetan BuddhismTibetan Buddhism is the body of the Buddhist doctrine and institutions found in Tibet, the Himalayan region, Mongolia, Buryatia, Tuva, Kalmykia (Russia) and northeastern China. It is also known by the name of Vajrayana. In this article, we will provide you with a brief introduction to Tibetan Buddhism...The union of Buddhism and yoga in Tibet led to the emergence of the Tibetan Buddhism. The yogic method started appearing in Tibet (from India) somewhere around the late eighth century. However, the initial progress of yoga in Tibet was quite slow. It was from 13th century onwards that yoga started gaining pace in the country. By that time, both Hindu yogic and tantric practices had been integrated in Indian Buddhism, along with the classical teachings of Buddha. This method advocated that there were two paths to enlightenment.
The first path is the one that has been explained in the sutras, mainly comprising of morality, concentration, and wisdom. The second path, which gave Tibetan Buddhism its unique features, consisted of tantric methods. In this method, the techniques of Hindu systems of yoga and tantra were integrated with the sutra teachings. The Tantric systems suggest the basic human passions of desire and aversion should be transformed for the purpose of spiritual development. However, it does not advise total renunciation of these basic cravings.
Rather, tantra purifies them into wholesome and helpful forces, which helps a person in attaining enlightenment. For the purpose, a person needs to develop the qualities of self-control and acceptance. The Hinayana as well as the Mahayana Buddhist teachings also find a place in Tibet Buddhism. It is basically an esoteric extension on these themes. Just like the Mahayana Buddhist teachings, Buddhism in Tibet also believes in the Dharma protectors, namely Pantheon of Buddhas, bodhisattvas, and Dharmapala.
Tantric Buddhism
Tantric Buddhism is quite different form a number of other Buddhist forms. Also known as Vajrayana, it is considered as one of the three major 'vehicles' (Yanas) of Buddhism, along with Theravada and Mahayana. Read on further to get a brief introduction to Tantric Buddhism..Vajrayana Buddhism is based, to a certain extent, on the tantras, tantric techniques written in Indian scriptures. It prescribes the technique of 'use the result as the Path'. It means that a person should try to identify with the enlightened body, speech and mind of a Buddha. The form of Buddha one can best relate to is known as yidam (in Tibetan) or ishtadevata (in Sanskrit). For the purpose of self-identification with a Buddha-form, Buddhist tantric techniques make use of symbolism and visualization.
The Tantric Buddhism symbols can come as quite confusing to the person introduced to it for the first time. Most of these symbols are said to have been taken from the Tibetan Buddhism. Given below are the major symbols used in Tantric Buddhism...
The Vajra
One of the important symbols in Buddhist tantra, Vajra seems to be a combination of a weapon and a scepter. It symbolizes the quality of indestructibility. At the time of tantric rituals, Vajra is usually held in the right hand.The Bell
Bell stands for insight, emptiness, the female aspect. It symbolizes the sound of the Dharma and is used in the rituals to offer sound. At the time of rituals, it is generally held in the left hand.Other Tantric Symbols
Theravada Buddhism
Theravada BuddhismTheravada literally means 'The Way of the Elders'. This term embodies the entire sect in itself, as Theravada Buddhism is based on the original beliefs and practices of the Buddha and the early monastic Elders. Also known as Hinayana Buddhism, it is mainly predominant in southern Asia, especially in Sri Lanka, Myanmar (Burma), Thailand, Cambodia and Laos. Just like Mahayana, Theravada is also based on the Pali Canon, which comprises of an early Indian collection of the Buddha's teachings. Read on this guide further to know more about Theravada Buddhism...Theravada Buddhists have a sole purpose in life, which is to become an arhat. Arhat is the name given to a saint who has reached nirvana and will not be born again. For this, they follow a rigorous austere existence and renounce the world. As per Theravada or the 'Lesser Vehicle', a layman can never ever achieve nirvana. There are the following four stages through which a Theravada Buddhist can become an arhat:
Sotapanna (Stream-enterer)
Sotapanna is the stage where the person is a convert. To attain this stage, he has to triumph over the false beliefs.Sakadagamin (Once-returner)
The stage of Sakadagamin is that of being reborn again. It can be achieved by conquering lust, hatred and illusion.Anagamin (Never-returner)
The stage of being reborn in heaven is known as Anagamin. It is the stage where he becomes an arahant.Arhat (Worthy one)
The last stage is known as Arhat. Here, the person has attained perfect enlightenment and will never be born again.Tibetan Buddhism
Tibetan BuddhismTibetan Buddhism is the body of the Buddhist doctrine and institutions found in Tibet, the Himalayan region, Mongolia, Buryatia, Tuva, Kalmykia (Russia) and northeastern China. It is also known by the name of Vajrayana. In this article, we will provide you with a brief introduction to Tibetan Buddhism...The union of Buddhism and yoga in Tibet led to the emergence of the Tibetan Buddhism. The yogic method started appearing in Tibet (from India) somewhere around the late eighth century. However, the initial progress of yoga in Tibet was quite slow. It was from 13th century onwards that yoga started gaining pace in the country. By that time, both Hindu yogic and tantric practices had been integrated in Indian Buddhism, along with the classical teachings of Buddha. This method advocated that there were two paths to enlightenment.
The first path is the one that has been explained in the sutras, mainly comprising of morality, concentration, and wisdom. The second path, which gave Tibetan Buddhism its unique features, consisted of tantric methods. In this method, the techniques of Hindu systems of yoga and tantra were integrated with the sutra teachings. The Tantric systems suggest the basic human passions of desire and aversion should be transformed for the purpose of spiritual development. However, it does not advise total renunciation of these basic cravings.
Rather, tantra purifies them into wholesome and helpful forces, which helps a person in attaining enlightenment. For the purpose, a person needs to develop the qualities of self-control and acceptance. The Hinayana as well as the Mahayana Buddhist teachings also find a place in Tibet Buddhism. It is basically an esoteric extension on these themes. Just like the Mahayana Buddhist teachings, Buddhism in Tibet also believes in the Dharma protectors, namely Pantheon of Buddhas, bodhisattvas, and Dharmapala.
Western Buddhism
Western BuddhismThe western counties saw the emergence of Buddhism somewhere around the 19th and the 20th century. The scholars as well as the colonists of that time are credited with the origin of Buddhism in the West. One of the major incidents in the journey of Buddhism in the West was the establishment of the Pali Text Society. This nineteenth century society was the result of the efforts of T.W. Rhys Davies. Another name worth mentioning in this context is that of Edward Arnold.His poem, The Light of Asia, brought the teachings of the Buddha to a wider audience. Not to be forgotten is Christmas Humphreys, an English barrister. He was responsible for the creation of 'Buddhist Lodge' in the year 1924. After the Second World War came to its conclusion, Alan Watts played a significant role in the propagation of Zen Buddhist teachings throughout the western countries. In 1976, a British monk named Sangharakshita (Dennis Lockwood) established the 'Friends of Western Buddhism Order' (FWBO).
Till the mid of 20th century, Buddhism in America was mainly practiced by the small Chinese communities, comprising of manual workers. It was only around 1950's that Buddhism started surfacing in the native population of America. In the 1960s, cultural changes started taking place in the country. This served as an excellent help to the spread of Buddhism in America, especially Zen and Tibetan Buddhism. Presently, Buddhism is one of the fasted growing religions in America. Buddhism is also becoming more popular day by day in Australia.
Zen Buddhism
Zen BuddhismZen Buddhism is a branch of Mahayana Buddhism. In this manual, we will give you a brief introduction of Zen Buddhism, along with its complete history The Mahayana sutras that were written in India and China form the basis of Zen Buddhism. Of these, the most prominent ones are the Lankavatara Sutra, the Diamond Sutra, the Samantamukha Parivarta, the Heart Sutra, a chapter of the Lotus Sutra and the Platform Sutra of Huineng. The fundamental elements of Buddhist philosophy consist of the basics of Zen Buddhism also. These include the Eightfold Path, the five precepts, the Four Noble Truths, the five skandhas, three dharma seals, etc.The teachings in Zen philosophy are restricted to the Mahayana Buddhism. The major religious figures in Zen include Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, Mañjusri Bodhisattva, Kuan Yin Bodhisattva, Sakyamuni Buddha and Amitabha Buddha. Zen Buddhism has been influenced by Chinese philosophy to a great extent, especially Taoism. This is because of the fact that Zen emerged as a distinct school in medieval China. However, the degree of influence of Taoism on Zen Buddhism is still open to debate.
As per a number of modern scholars, the influence was quite shallow, while others contend a deep influence of Taoism on Zen philosophy. It is a mistake to understand Zen as an intellectual philosophy or a solitary pursuit. Rather, it is more of a practice or a way of life. The temples dedicated to zed lay emphasis on a thorough practice of meditation on daily basis. They also advise practicing along with other people, as it helps in preventing the traps of ego. The students of Zen Buddhism are required to perform some of the tedious tasks that one performs at home.
This is because Zen Buddhists believe that a person should acquire knowledge from all the aspects of life. This knowledge will help him in the process of enlightenment. The textual hermeneutics have been severely condemned in Zen teachings. The pursuit of worldly treasures is looked down upon. They advise people to focus on meditation, which will ultimately lead them to unmediated consciousness of the processes of both the world as well as their own mind.
