Download Branches of Buddhism

THERAVADA BUDDHISM
Theravada Buddhism, the "Way of the Elders," is one of the three major
sects of Buddhism. It emerged out of a series of schisms that began in the 4th
century B.C.E. in the Buddhist communities of India and became prominent in Sri
Lanka and southeast Asia including Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and
southwestern China, which has led some to call it Southern Buddhism.
Pejoratively labeled the "Hinayana" (the "Lesser Vehicle") by Mahayana
Buddhism, Theravada schools [are viewed as more conservative] and claim to
adhere most accurately to the original practices and doctrines taught by Buddha.
The Theravada claims to trace their lineage back to the original followers of the
Buddha, to those who literally heard his sermons. The Theravada canonical
writings, a collection of the Buddha's teachings written in the Pali language, are
divided into the Buddha's sermons, the monastic rules, and [the general
philosophy] of the Buddha's teachings. [In the Theravada tradition, the historical
Buddha is viewed more a teacher than a deity]. Theravada doctrine is founded
on the distinction between samsara (the cyclic realm of suffering; Sanskrit for
“continuous flow”) and nirvana (release from suffering; Sanskrit for “blown out”).
The ultimate goal of the Theravada is to escape samsara and enter nirvana.
This is accomplished by achieving the status of an arhat (Sanskrit for “perfected
person”), a perfect person who has been released from the cycle of samsara and
will never be reborn again. The Theravada is typically understood to be a
rigorous monastic tradition; [it is typically believed that only a monk or a nun can
become an arhat]. However, laypeople actively participate in the religion by
providing material support to the monks (which produces positive karma, or
“merit”), meditating, and following the basic ethical principles of the Buddha's
teachings.
Source:
“Theravada Buddhism.” Patheos, 2014. Web. <http://www.patheos.com/Library/ TheravadaBuddhism.html>.
MAHAYANA BUDDHISM
Mahayana Buddhism, also known as the “Great Vehicle,” is the form of
Buddhism prominent in North Asia, including much of China, Mongolia, South
Korea, and Japan. Arising out of schisms—about both doctrine and monastic
rules—within Indian Buddhism in the first century C.E., the Great Vehicle
considers itself a more authentic version of the Buddha's teachings. The
Mahayana accepts the canonical texts of the Theravada tradition (what they
derisively call the Hinayana, or "lesser vehicle), but also have a vast corpus of
philosophical and devotional texts. The most distinctive teaching of the
Mahayana is that the great compassion that is an inherent component of
enlightenment is manifest in bodhisattvas (Sanskrit for “enlightenment beings”);
these beings postpone nirvana (final enlightenment) in order to assist and guide
those beings still suffering in the cycle of rebirths. They employ what the
Mahayana calls "skillful means," which is the ability to know the particular mental
and emotional capacity of each individual, and to deliver guidance appropriate to
those capacities. The Mahayana developed a vast pantheon of bodhisattvas,
Buddhas, and other powerful beings, and a complex array of devotional and
meditational practices directed toward them. [In the Mahayana school, Buddha is
viewed more as a deity than merely a teacher]. As the Mahayana moved beyond
India, it took typically adopted distinct local cultural characteristics; thus the
Mahayana pantheon in China is significantly different than that found in India, or
that in Japan.
Source:
“Mahayana Buddhism.” Patheos, 2014. Web. <http://www.patheos.com/Library/ MahayanaBuddhism.html>.
VAJRAYANA BUDDHISM
Vajrayana Buddhism, also known as the "Diamond Way," is a form of
Buddhism that developed in India in the 5th century C.E. Although it is
sometimes debated whether it is a branch of Mahayana Buddhism or if it is a
distinct path beside Mahayana and Theravada—this is how the tradition
understands itself, as the final "turning" of the Buddha's teachings—it is generally
accepted that Vajrayana Buddhism emerged out of the Mahayana in India. It
rather quickly spread out of India and became established in several parts of the
Buddhist world, particularly in Tibet, where it became the dominant form of
Buddhism. Although it may have originally emerged as a reaction to the
philosophical scholasticism of Indian Buddhism, and may have been intended to
return to the original teachings and practices of the Buddha, Vajrajyana rapidly
developed into a complex philosophical and ritual system. Vajrayana is also
sometimes called "Tantric Buddhism," an extension of Buddhist thought and
practice which sees itself as the quickest and most effective path to
enlightenment. [The word “tantra” originated in India and generally refers to
meditation practices that aim to liberate, or separate, consciousness and matter].
As with Mahayana Buddhism, the Vajrayana emphasizes the role of the
bodhisattva, but the tradition tends to favor fierce deities, and significantly
expands the bodhisattva pantheon. Vajrayana ritual and devotion employs
mantras (verbal formulas), mandalas (diagrams and paintings used in
visualization practices), and a complex array of other rituals. Great emphasis is
placed on the role of the guru in the Vajrayana; these are religious teachers who
have mastered the philosophical and ritual tradition. The Tibet translation of guru
is "lama," and the various Tibetan schools of the Vajrayana trace long lineages of
gurus who serve both as religious and political leaders (the Dalai Lama is the
most well known of Tibet's Lamas).
Source:
“Vajrayana Buddhism.” Patheos, 2014. Web. <http://www.patheos.com/Library/ VajrayanaBuddhism.html>.