Major Branches of Buddhism

Theravada The path of mindfulness Attempts to maintain the original teachings of Buddhism Dominated by devotional practices Theravadin monks live simple lives Uses the Pali Canon as its central text The three refuges: The Buddha Dharma Sangha

Mahayana The path of compassion and wisdom Represents innovations in Buddhist thought Seeks to liberate all beings and promotes wisdom and compassion Includes many Buddha’s and Boddhisatvas Uses a number of different holy texts to complement the Pali Canon Sunyata: Emptiness and nothingness Claims that the Buddha is a universal principle with 3 aspects: The enlightened formless wisdom body The celestial bliss body The transformation body (Gautama Buddha)

Branches of Mahayana

Zen The great way of enlightenment Attempts to recover the original experience of direct enlightenment Maintains that all beings have Buddha-nature (insight into ones mind) within them Zazen: Rigorous sitting meditation Kensho: Sudden bursts of insight Koans: Paradoxical riddles “What is the sound of one hand clapping?” A monk asked Kegon, "How does an enlightened one return to the ordinary world?" Kegon replied, "A broken mirror never reflects again; fallen flowers never go back to the old branches.”

Zen Poetry To what shall I liken the world? Moonlight, reflected In dewdrops, Shaken from a crane's bill -Dogen Zenji The old pond A frog leaps in. Splash! -Basho The wind has settled, the blossoms have fallen;  Birds sing, the mountains grow dark --  This is the wondrous power of Buddhism.  -Ryokan Those who see worldly life as an obstacle to Dharma see no Dharma in everyday actions.  They have not yet discovered that there are no everyday actions outside of Dharma. -Dogen Zenji

Pure Land Devotion to Amida Buddha Amida Buddha is the Buddha of “Infinite Light” Followers pray to Amida to be able to be reborn in the pure land Prayers involve repeating Amida’s name over and over Offers an alternative path apart from Zen Buddhism

Nchiren Salvation through the Lotus Sutra The Lotus Sutra is another key Buddhist religious text A thirteenth century Buddhist teacher named Nchiren founded this branch on the basis that the Lotus Sutra represents the highest form of Buddhism Followers recite the Lotus Sutra to achieve enlightenment

Vajrayana The Indestructible Path Influenced by Tibet’s indigineous shamanic religion, “Bön,” and Tantric Yoga from India Sometimes viewed as the third stage (vehicle) of Buddhist teaching Practitioners are lead by Lamas (incarnations of Boddhisatvas who lead others to enlightenment) Practices include: Deity Yoga Thangkas (paintings depicting Buddhist deities) Mandalas (Diagrams of the universe) Mantras