Does anyone know the different types of buddhism?

Question

OK, so I was a born and raised Roman Catholic but after I turned 12 or 13 I became an atheist and have been so ever since (for the last 15 years). Over the years I have briefly looked in to buddhism and now more recently I am trying to find out the basics, but it is sooooo much, so does anyone know the different types of buddhism and in a nutshell what each of them represents?

Answer 1

My dear friend,

Below I have done my best to try and explain the sects of Buddhism to level comprehensible to the general public; I sincerely hope it helps you. [please note, that this was also my answer to another learned friend's question quite similar to yours]

Before I begin though, I would like to comment on the above learned peoples' answers. I am sorry to say that you have yet to answer our friend's answer. People come here, to the answers services because they have been unsuccessful in their quest for an answer; hence it is up to people who may know the answer to try and assist them in any way that we can, and not simply throw them more incomprehensible information. This is something I wish to achieve in the below content.

A period after the pir-nirvana of the Lord Buddha, the "Elders" and the "Novices" of Buddhism had an argument regarding the preservation of offerings for an overnight situation. This let to a fine separation into 2 factions of Buddhism: Theravada and Mahasamghika (Elders and Novices) - the terms used previously are given in the ancient language Sanskrit. In fact, the Mahasamghika was the stepping stone or hint that another form of Buddhism would take place, and that form would be known as Mahayana Buddhism. Mahayana Buddhism was introduced to the world by Nagarjuna Buddha (or Nagarjuna Bodhisattva - depending on tradition), and the Mahasamghika slowly dissipated into another form of Buddhism, known as Hinayana.

So to briefly bring things into perspective: Hinayana, Mahayana and Theravada. However, this is not the end yet. Some people actually place Theravada Buddhism under the banner of Hinayana Buddhism. So, there are mainly the two branches: Hinayana and Mahayana (but readers please take note, it is not that I am in total agreement of this; I merely wish to use it as an example to simplify matters). Now, to help you understand the differences. Places like Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Sri Lanka, India etc are all examples where Hinayana Buddhism is prominent; their Dharma Robes are easily distinguished tending to look like a very large cloth wrapped around their body. Countries like China, Taiwan, Korea, Tibet, Japan etc are all examples where Mahayana Buddhism is prominent; their Dharma Robes are not so easily distinguished tending to vary from tradition, but one thing is certain, and that is they often have a look of Chinese Tang Dynasty Royal Family robes.

Well, "is that all", you ask? No, because within the Mahayana tradition there is another lineage of Buddhism, known as the Tantrayana (or Vajrayana). All the countries mentioned in the category of Mahayana fit this description, but please take note that there is an extremely large amount of overlapping. And to complicate matter even further, these branches of Buddhism are separated in another general manner: Exoteric and Esoteric.

So to conclude:
Exoteric Buddhism - Hinayana Buddhism (Thailand, Sri Lanka...etc)
- Mahayana Buddhism (Taiwan, Korea, China)

Esoteric Buddhism-Tantrayana Buddhism (China, Tibet, Japan)

Remember, it all depends in what context you are speaking of.

I hope I have helped you, and would appreciate criticism and education from the learned friends of the world wide web.

vhy

Answer 2

there is Theravada Buddhism which who have to be born into or move to Thailand (to be outside of their holy ground negates the religion)
there is a much broader version called Madyamaka Buddhism that embraces everything else (much like Catholic vs Protestant) all other forms fall into this categories:
now the most notable in Madyamaka'
Zen Buddhism developed in China preaches reaching enlightenment through shock, only when unprepared can we truly experience enlightenment
Tantric Buddhism was developed in Tibet. the fast track, tantric Buddhism at it's base is a all or nothing bet, either you gain enlightenment in one live rather than reincarnating for it or your soul is destroyed. not really recommend but some people feel the need to not face their sins so try to achieve enlightenment quick.
Shinto Buddhism was developed in Japan and is an amalgamation of the basic Shinto believes and the Buddhist concept of enlightenment.
Zen is the most well known type of Buddhism but there are many types and I hope you'll find what will work for you.
p.s. I'm not sure on some of the spelling of the types

Answer 3

The central beliefs of Buddhism called the Dhamma was taught by Buddha. The following are branches of Buddhism:
Theravada Buddhism
Zen Buddhism
Pure Land Buddhism
Yogacara Buddhism
Vajrayana Buddhism
There are many types because Buddhism exists in different country's with different customs and cultures and adapts to the location.
There are 100's or 1000's thousands of deities [gods]

Answer 4

I had a similar experience and became Buddhist about 15 years ago. I do not belong to any particular type of Buddhism but follow the teachings of the Buddha as closely as I am able.

The first point is to realise that deisre causes suffering and to let go of desires and atachments alleviates these sufferings. The Buddha left his family , his palace and titles, and his wealth. I live a fairly ascetic lifestyle but could not leave my family, but that's OK. This is the basis of the 4 noble truths

Second is to be in control of your thoughts, words, and actions. Many people believe that they are in total control but really are not. Meditation teaches us to be aware of our thoughts and to control them. Once you can be aware of your thoughts, you can become aware of your words and actions and thus control them. When you control them you can follow the eightfold path.

This means that you use the right words, right thought, right actions etc. you can look them up on the internet, there are numerous sites.

Buddhism is a very pragmatc philosophy, it doesn't just sat 'Thou shalt not commit adultery'. Adultery does not fit into the eightfold path because it can cause suffering.

I no longer have any books on Buddhism but if you need more assistance you can email me. All the best in your travels, I believe that you have chosen the right path

Answer 5

Buddhism was founded by a man named Gautama. The word "Buddha" means The Enlightened One. To be enlightened, means to realize that we are Spirit and to be fully concious of this all the time. The other stated reason that the Buddha gave for his teachings was for the relief of suffering in individuals, He said that the cause of suffering was "attachment". We want things that we can't have and feel suffering. We have things and are afraid that we will lose them, we have things we are attached to and suffer when we don't have them anymore. The Buddha said to practice non-attachment and work towards Enlightenment. We work towards Enlightenment by: practicing non-attachment, right living (doing what is right), and meditation.
I only know about about 2 types of Buddhism, Zen Buddhism and Tibeten Buddhism. I have read about Tibeten Buddhism but not practiced it much as it is very complicated. It has a lot of magical operations in it as well as becoming concious of energy centers in us, channels of energy, and learning how to direct and control this energy. It also sounds dangerous to do,
Zen Buddhism has two schools; Northern, or Rinzei Zen; and Southern, or Soto Zen. The meditation of Renzei Zen is intense concentration on a question or word that has no answer. The most famous one is, "What is the sound of one hand clapping?"
In Soto Zen the meditation is to sit quietly for 1/2 hour twice a day and to ignore the thoughts that come into your mind. Then you will become aware of, what they call, your true Buddha-Nature.
You say that you used to be a Roman Catholic as a child, then became an atheist, and now are looking into Buddhism. I would ask you to think about what it was that soured you on the Catholic Church and on God. I was raised as a Protestant Christian and when I was 27 converted to becoming a Roman Catholic Christian. Somewhere in the middle of this: I lived in a Hindu ashram and practiced the four highest Hindu Yogas, I lived in a Zen Buddhist Temple and practiced Za Zen meditation, I read and undersood and lived the teachings of Lao Tzu as written in his book, The Tao te Ching. These teachings were the foundation of Taoism. I can see no valid teachings of the East that are not also in the west. All of the practices of the four highest Hindu Yogas; Karma yoga, Bakti Yoga, Raja Yoga, and Jana Yoga; are all found in the teachings of Jesus. I'm not suggesting that the other religions are equal to Christianity, but that there is no need to go to other religeons. I would encourage you to read The New Testament and forget every thing other people have said about it so that that doesn't color what you read. Before you read each day, ask God to give you the understanding of what you're reading, and then try to put into practice what you read. Don't be surprized if you start to see small miracles every day. Ask God to keep you safe while driving, to help you find parking places, to help you find things in your home that you missplace, and other things like that. Ask him for big things also, especially for blessings for other people. I guaranty you, that if you start doing this, you will start to see God interacting in your life in a big way. You see He loves you. One of the scriptures that Protestants often cite is, "Without faith it is impossible to please God". Conveniently they leave out the rest of the scripture. The whole scripture is, " Without faith it is impossible to please God. For first a person must believe that God exists and that He is a REWARDER of those who seek him." God bless you in your seeking.

Answer 6

There are a lot of different sects, but the primary sect is the group that follow the teaching of the Nichiren Daishonen and the Lotus Sutra.

You can get a lot of information on them and the Soka Gakki at http://www.sgi.org/

Nam myoho renge kyo.

Answer 7

The Different Types Of Buddhism

Answer 8

Leviticus 19:4 (New King James Version)
New King James Version (NKJV)
Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.


4 ‘Do not turn to idols, nor make for yourselves molded gods: I am the LORD your God.




i am christian, try that. Try Jesus

Answer 9

I know that they call their concept of God "the absolute".