BUDDHISM

http://www.thebuddhism.net/2012/08/23/m HOME SERMONS & VIDEOS » OTHERS » BUDDHA’S LIFE » QUOTES FORUM DONATE US Main Sects of Buddhism August 23, 2012 Buddhism Buddhism is based on Gauthama Buddha’s teachings. There are two major branches and one minor branch of Buddhism. Theravada (The school of the Elders) and Mahayana (The Great Vehicle) are the two main branches. Vajrayana (The Diamond Vehicle) is a minor branch. . Theravada Buddhism adheres most accurately to the original teachings by the Buddha. It only reveres the Buddha. It is relatively conservative. . Theravada Buddhism is also labelled by the Mahayanists as “Heenayana” (The Lesser Vehicle). . . Theravada Buddhism traces its lineage back to the original followers of the Gauthama Buddha, who literary heard his sermons. . The canonical writings (Collection of Buddha’s teachings written in Pali language) of Theravada are divided into three main sections. . 1. Buddha’s sermons (Sutta Pitaka) 2. Monastic rules (Vinaya Pitaka) 3. Buddha’s teachings (Abhidhamma Pitaka) . The ultimate goal in Theravada Buddhism is to escape the “Life – Death Circle” (Samsara) and attain “Nirvana” (Release from suffering). Those who have attained Nirvana are never reborn again. . Theravada Laypeople actively participate by providing material support to the monks which are considered as meritorious deeds which would help them in their journey through “Samsara” and finally, in attaining “Nirvana”. It is practiced in countries such as Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and some minority districts in China, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore and the Western world. . Mahayana Buddhism has arose out of schism (rifts and divisions among the monks) regarding both Buddha’s teachings and monastic rules though it is considered as a more authentic version of the Buddhist doctrine by them. It reveres not only the Buddha, but, vast number of Bodhisattvas and other powerful beings such as Hindu Gods. . Mahayana sect accepts the Theravada canonical writings though they have a variety of philosophical and devotional texts of their own. . The most distinctive teaching of the Mahayana is that the Bodhisattvas who are enlightenment beings postpone their final enlightenment (Nirvana) in great compassion to guide and assist the beings who are still suffering in “Samsara”. Mahayana believes that Bodhisattvas employ ‘skillful means’ to know the mental capacity of each individual and guide them according to it. . Mahayana believes that Buddha’s death as an illusion; he is living in other planes of existence and monks are permitted to offer “New Truths” based on his input. It is believed that none of the Bodhisattvas, Arahanths or Buddhas have attained the final enlightenment (Nirvana) and live beyond our plane of existence to assist all of us to attain Nirvana together. . Original Mahayana Buddhism is practiced in China, Japan, Korea, Singapore, parts of Russia and most of Vietnam. . As Mahayana moved beyond India, it adhered the distinct cultural characteristics of that country into the doctrine. Thus, Mahayana pantheon in China is vastly different from that of India and Japan. . It has various traditions such as ‘Pure Land’, ‘Zen’, ‘Nichiren Buddhism’, Tibetan Buddhism’, ‘Shingon’, ‘Tiantai’ and ‘Shinnyo-en’. . Vajrayana Buddhism, though based upon Mahayana doctrine is largely concerned with ritual and meditative practices. It is also called “Thanthrayana”(Tantric Buddhism) or “Manthrayana” (Esoteric Buddhism) since it involves in developing the mind by the means of harnessing psycho - physical energy through rituals, visualization, physical exercises and meditation. Thus, they believe that a person could attain Buddha-hood in one’s lifetime or as little as in three years. . Vajrayana is practiced in Tibet, Mongolia and adjacent parts of China and Russia. . Today's Most Read Articles ☟ Buddhist Views on Marriage Man is Responsible for Everything Karma Vipaka (Actions & their Results) and the 'Three Planes of Existence' Main Sects of Buddhism 156 buddhism, Mahayana, Main, Sects RECENT POSTS ☟ Man is Responsible for Everything When a man has learned how to live as a real human being without disturbing others, he can live... more» There are two people who are not easy to repay I tell you, monks, there are two people who are not easy to repay. Which two? Your mother &... more» If You Love your Kids If we teach our kids dharma when they are young, it means we love them. If we don’t , when they... more» Who is an Outcast ? 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People, being... more» Things preventing us from freedom The Buddha advised us to thoroughly understand, comprehend and abandon the views as they are one of... more» A radiant deity once asked the Buddha Those who dwell deep in the forest, Peacefully living the Noble life, Eating only a single meal a... more» ADVERTISEMENT ☟ LOGIN Username Password Remember Me Register Lost Password ARTICLES ☟ The Roots of Buddhist Romanticism by Ven. Thanissaro Bhikkhu Many Westerners, when new to Buddhism, are struck by the uncanny familiarity of what seem to be its central concepts: interconnectedness, wholeness, ego-transcendence. Read More » Life and Living “He who experiences the unity of life sees his own Self in all beings, and all beings in his own Self, and looks on everything with Read More » The Most Venerable Wewaldeniye Medhalankara Thero The Chief Incumbent of the Shasanawardhana Pirivena, Meerigama and the Head of the Ramanna Sect of Bhikkus (Ramanna Nikaya), the Most Venerable Wewaldeniye Medhalankara Thero passed Read More » The Art of Living: Vipassana Meditation Everyone seeks peace and harmony, because this is what we lack in our lives. From time to time we all experience agitation, irritation, dishar­mony. And when we Read More » Summary of the Thripitaka Thripitaka (the pali canon) contains all Buddha’s teachings. It consists of three sections. Namely, ‘Vinaya Pitaka’, ‘Sutta Pitaka’, ‘Abhidhamma Pitaka’. Vinaya Pitaka: This contains the sermons Read More » There are four types of homes according to Buddha 1) A home where a dead man lives with a dead woman Both the man and the wife are greedy, immoral & insult the clergy. 2) Read More » Supreme Qualities of the Buddha 1. Arahant Firstly, we must understand that our great teacher was an “Arahant”. An Arahant is one who has eradicated all bad conditions of the mind, Read More » ain-sects-of-buddhism/ HOME SERMONS & VIDEOS » OTHERS » BUDDHA’S LIFE » QUOTES FORUM DONATE US Main Sects of Buddhism August 23, 2012 Buddhism Buddhism is based on Gauthama Buddha’s teachings. There are two major branches and one minor branch of Buddhism. Theravada (The school of the Elders) and Mahayana (The Great Vehicle) are the two main branches. Vajrayana (The Diamond Vehicle) is a minor branch. . Theravada Buddhism adheres most accurately to the original teachings by the Buddha. It only reveres the Buddha. It is relatively conservative. . Theravada Buddhism is also labelled by the Mahayanists as “Heenayana” (The Lesser Vehicle). . . Theravada Buddhism traces its lineage back to the original followers of the Gauthama Buddha, who literary heard his sermons. . The canonical writings (Collection of Buddha’s teachings written in Pali language) of Theravada are divided into three main sections. . 1. Buddha’s sermons (Sutta Pitaka) 2. Monastic rules (Vinaya Pitaka) 3. Buddha’s teachings (Abhidhamma Pitaka) . The ultimate goal in Theravada Buddhism is to escape the “Life – Death Circle” (Samsara) and attain “Nirvana” (Release from suffering). Those who have attained Nirvana are never reborn again. . Theravada Laypeople actively participate by providing material support to the monks which are considered as meritorious deeds which would help them in their journey through “Samsara” and finally, in attaining “Nirvana”. It is practiced in countries such as Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and some minority districts in China, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore and the Western world. . Mahayana Buddhism has arose out of schism (rifts and divisions among the monks) regarding both Buddha’s teachings and monastic rules though it is considered as a more authentic version of the Buddhist doctrine by them. It reveres not only the Buddha, but, vast number of Bodhisattvas and other powerful beings such as Hindu Gods. . Mahayana sect accepts the Theravada canonical writings though they have a variety of philosophical and devotional texts of their own. . The most distinctive teaching of the Mahayana is that the Bodhisattvas who are enlightenment beings postpone their final enlightenment (Nirvana) in great compassion to guide and assist the beings who are still suffering in “Samsara”. Mahayana believes that Bodhisattvas employ ‘skillful means’ to know the mental capacity of each individual and guide them according to it. . Mahayana believes that Buddha’s death as an illusion; he is living in other planes of existence and monks are permitted to offer “New Truths” based on his input. It is believed that none of the Bodhisattvas, Arahanths or Buddhas have attained the final enlightenment (Nirvana) and live beyond our plane of existence to assist all of us to attain Nirvana together. . Original Mahayana Buddhism is practiced in China, Japan, Korea, Singapore, parts of Russia and most of Vietnam. . As Mahayana moved beyond India, it adhered the distinct cultural characteristics of that country into the doctrine. Thus, Mahayana pantheon in China is vastly different from that of India and Japan. . It has various traditions such as ‘Pure Land’, ‘Zen’, ‘Nichiren Buddhism’, Tibetan Buddhism’, ‘Shingon’, ‘Tiantai’ and ‘Shinnyo-en’. . Vajrayana Buddhism, though based upon Mahayana doctrine is largely concerned with ritual and meditative practices. It is also called “Thanthrayana”(Tantric Buddhism) or “Manthrayana” (Esoteric Buddhism) since it involves in developing the mind by the means of harnessing psycho - physical energy through rituals, visualization, physical exercises and meditation. Thus, they believe that a person could attain Buddha-hood in one’s lifetime or as little as in three years. . Vajrayana is practiced in Tibet, Mongolia and adjacent parts of China and Russia. . Today's Most Read Articles ☟ Buddhist Views on Marriage Man is Responsible for Everything Karma Vipaka (Actions & their Results) and the 'Three Planes of Existence' Main Sects of Buddhism 156 buddhism, Mahayana, Main, Sects RECENT POSTS ☟ Man is Responsible for Everything When a man has learned how to live as a real human being without disturbing others, he can live... more» There are two people who are not easy to repay I tell you, monks, there are two people who are not easy to repay. Which two? Your mother &... more» If You Love your Kids If we teach our kids dharma when they are young, it means we love them. If we don’t , when they... more» Who is an Outcast ? According to Buddha: An outcast is a person who constantly gets angry, who hates and always see the... more» Lion Capital of Asoka (Ashokmudra) by Ashish Wakode The Lion capital of Ashoka is a sculpture of four “Indian lions”... more» On Father’s Day, 2013 On Father’s Day, have some noble words from The Buddha “I tell you, friends,... more» End of cravings Just as a tree with roots undamaged and firm grows again even though cut down, so also, if latent... more» Samanera Pañha — The Novice’s Questions What is one? All beings subsist on food. “There are these four nutriments for the... more» The end of sufferings The world is like a burning house that is forever being destroyed and rebuilt. People, being... more» Things preventing us from freedom The Buddha advised us to thoroughly understand, comprehend and abandon the views as they are one of... more» A radiant deity once asked the Buddha Those who dwell deep in the forest, Peacefully living the Noble life, Eating only a single meal a... more» ADVERTISEMENT ☟ LOGIN Username Password Remember Me Register Lost Password ARTICLES ☟ The Roots of Buddhist Romanticism by Ven. Thanissaro Bhikkhu Many Westerners, when new to Buddhism, are struck by the uncanny familiarity of what seem to be its central concepts: interconnectedness, wholeness, ego-transcendence. Read More » Life and Living “He who experiences the unity of life sees his own Self in all beings, and all beings in his own Self, and looks on everything with Read More » The Most Venerable Wewaldeniye Medhalankara Thero The Chief Incumbent of the Shasanawardhana Pirivena, Meerigama and the Head of the Ramanna Sect of Bhikkus (Ramanna Nikaya), the Most Venerable Wewaldeniye Medhalankara Thero passed Read More » The Art of Living: Vipassana Meditation Everyone seeks peace and harmony, because this is what we lack in our lives. From time to time we all experience agitation, irritation, dishar­mony. And when we Read More » Summary of the Thripitaka Thripitaka (the pali canon) contains all Buddha’s teachings. It consists of three sections. Namely, ‘Vinaya Pitaka’, ‘Sutta Pitaka’, ‘Abhidhamma Pitaka’. Vinaya Pitaka: This contains the sermons Read More » There are four types of homes according to Buddha 1) A home where a dead man lives with a dead woman Both the man and the wife are greedy, immoral & insult the clergy. 2) Read More » Supreme Qualities of the Buddha 1. Arahant Firstly, we must understand that our great teacher was an “Arahant”. An Arahant is one who has eradicated all bad conditions of the mind, Read More »