Sunday, November 18, 2012

What is Buddhism?

When people use the word "Buddhism" often they don't know themselves what they mean.  Zen is not "Buddhism" as most people would use the term.  Certain Zen scholars, historians, and those well versed in comparative religion are more likely to know what they mean when they say "Zen Buddhism."

From: http://www.religionfacts.com/buddhism/fastfacts/differences_theravada_mahayana.htm
 
Theravada
Mahayana
LocationSouthern (Sri Lanka, Thailand, Burma, Laos, Cambodia, parts of Southeast Asia)Northern (Tibet, China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Mongolia, parts of Southeast Asia )
Schools and SectsOne surviving school (as many as 18 existed at one time)
Buddhist ScripturesPali Canon/Tripitaka onlyBooks of the Theravada Tripitaka plus many other sutras (e.g. Lotus Sutra)
BuddhasHistorical Buddha (Gautama) and past Buddhas onlyGautama Buddha plus Amitabha, Medicine Buddhas, and others
BodhisattvasMaitreya onlyMaitreya plus Avalokitesvara, Mansjuri, Ksitigarbha and Samanthabadra
Goal of TrainingArhatBuddhahood via bodhisattva-path
3 Buddha Bodies (Trikaya)Very limited emphasis; mainly on nirmana-kaya and dharma-kayaEmphasized, including the samboga-kaya or reward/enjoyment body
Original LanguagePaliSanskrit
Language of TransmissionTripitaka is only in Pali. Teaching in Pali supplemented by local language.Scriptures translated into local language.
Buddha's DisciplesHistorical disciples described in ScripturesMany bodhisattvas that are not historical figures
Mantras and MudrasSome equivalent in the use of ParittasEmphasized in Vajrayana; sometimes incorporated in other schools
Bardo (Limbo)RejectedTaught by all schools
Non-Buddhist InfluencesMainly pre-Buddhist Indian influences like concepts of karma, sangha, etc.Heavily influenced by local religious ideas as transmitted to new cultures (China, Japan, Tibet).
Buddha NatureNot taughtEmphasized, especially in practice-based schools
RitualsVery few; not emphasizedMany, owing to local cultural influences

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