Download Branches of Buddhism

Branches
of
Buddhism
The 2 main schools
of Buddhism are
Mahayana and
Theravada
Early Buddhism
 After
Buddha’s parinirvana:
 the sangha continued to operate.
 They met to keep the teachings consistent.
 Since the monks and nuns travelled a lot, the
views began to change.
 Buddhist practices merged with local customs.
 The community disagreed about which
scriptures to recognize.
 Both the main schools recognize the Tripitaka as
their scripture.
Where in the world are the Buddhists?
Theravada Buddhism
 The
“way of the elders”, formerly known as
Hinayana (“the lesser vehicle”)
 Oldest, most conservative
 Only accepts Tripitaka
 does not see Buddha as a god
 meditation helps monks reach enlightenment
 Ideal human state = arhat
 Spread initially through monks and nuns sent out
by the Emperor Ashoka
Theravadin practices
 Lay
people’s main focus is 3 things:
 Dana (giving to monks) – sila (morality) –
bhavana (meditation, beginning w puja)
 Monks live a very structured life of meditation,
study and chanting; community supports them
completely.
 Their goal is panna (wisdom) – sila (morality) –
samadhi (mental training to reach
enlightenment)
Performing dana “Thai monks collecting alms”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HN-f-2uG-kI
Mahayana Buddhism
 This
branch includes Zen, Pure Land Buddhism,
Tibetan (aka Vajrayana) and others.
 “the greater vehicle”
 Many Mahayana Buddhists see Buddha as god
 Believe in many Buddhas and people pray to them
 Ideal human state = bodhisattva (also
Buddhahood)
 Recognize Tripitaka and many sutras as scriptures
 Rituals reflect culture of the people
Mahayana devotion

Compared to Theravada, Mahayana is far more devotional
(love of a god) and lay-focused.
Cundi and Avalokitesvara (many forms exist of both)
Bodhisattva’s paying respect to the Buddha (l), Matreiya
Buddha(r), the Buddha who is yet to come – sometimes
depicted as Budai
Amida Buddha (Pure Land Sect) (l) and
Guan Yin (r) with Amida Buddha in her
crown. Guan Yin has many names and
forms in different countries – often called
Goddess of Mercy
Mahayana practices






Meditation – focus on an object (a Buddha image, a
flower), a saying of B. Meditation varies – sitting,
walking, working
Chanting mantras, e.g. OM MANI PADME HUM
(Tibetan) –counted on a mala
Compassion
Specific practices
for certain subgroups
Puja
dana
Mahayana subgroups
 Zen
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WAi
2fwUqN4 (asian art museum)
 The Zen Mind
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XK_4
Z5DZcNM
Branch comparisons
 Theravada
 Humans
are
individual
 Wisdom is key belief
 Religion is for monks
 Meditation is the key
practice
 Early scriptures in Pali
(dhamma, kamma)
 Mahayana
 Communities
are
important
 Compassion is key
belief
 Religion is for
everyone
 People pray for
requests
 Scriptures in Sanskrit
(dharma, karma)
What both schools agree on
 Buddha
is the only master and the ideal
example
 One must take refuge in the Buddha, dharma
and sangha
 This world is not created by a god
 One must accept the 4 Noble Truths
 All things are impermanent
How is Tibet different?
 emerged
later in history (750 CE)
 included in Mahayana
 AKA esoteric Buddhism
 Combined with native Tibetan religion
 Ritualistic (mantras and using thangkas and
mandalas) – builds concentration
 Spiritual and political leader is Dalai Lama
 Scriptures are translated to Tibetan
 Practices include prayer wheels, flags and
singing bowls
Tibetan Buddhism
 Like
other Mahayana groups, there is great
concern for gaining merit (another word for
good karma) and spreading compassion and
peace.
Creating mandalas, chanting,
Tibetan music and dress (Crow Museum of Asian Art)
Tibetan tour – prayer flags, wheels, mani stone pile (4:16)
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EOVvjim1ZRY
 Life of an Australian Buddhist monk (5:23) “The Monk
Story”
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRHkivEzCfw
 A Day in the Life of Buddhist Zen Monks (1:52)
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yD9WDlwVYgw
Buddhist Spirituality and Modernity
 Tibet Tech Prayer Wheel (1:40)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1lgbx2D_bVk
 Traditional Prayer wheels (both less than 1 min)
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=633eH4yajHE
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czFjg1xpfxM
 Tibetan singing bowl (2:53)
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pn-J9-LQRw8

Buddhism and Modernity
 Jews
in Buddhism
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoWP1
w4X3ws
 Soka Gakkai - http://www.sgi.org/
 The Beastie Boys – Bodhisattva Vow
 http://www.viduse.com/Play/4384047/0/Be
astie-Boys/Bodhisattva-Vow.html