1. Major Branches of Buddhism

2. 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

3. 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)

4. Branches of Mahayana

5. 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.”

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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