Buddhism

• Theravada, also known as "the way of the elders," follows the original and authentic teachings of the Buddha found in the Pali Canon, or Tipitaka
• Theravada is popular in Sri Lanka and emphasizes monastic life
• In Theravada Buddhism, there is high esteem for techniques of meditation
• Monks in Theravada Buddhism are not isolated; they interact via alms, teaching, and temporary vows
• Theravada Buddhism places minimal emphasis on devotion or bhakti for the Buddha
• The scriptural authority in Theravada Buddhism is the Pali Canon, or Tipitaka, which means "three baskets"
• Vinaya in Theravada Buddhism refers to the rules of monastic discipline
• Suttas in Theravada Buddhism are Dhamma teachings from the Buddha's sermons, including Jataka tales
• Abhidhamma, dating back to the 3rd century BCE, is a learned discourse and doctrinal interpretation in Theravada Buddhism
• The goal in Theravada Buddhism is to achieve nirvana or become an arhat
• Hinayana


  "lesser vehicle"
• Mahayana Buddhism is the largest of the Buddhist traditions
• Mahayana differs from Theravada by emphasizing the ability of laypeople to make progress towards enlightenment even while engaged in family and social life
• Doctrine of Mahayana includes:

  • 3 "bodies" of the Buddha
  • Universal Buddha-nature
  • Shunyata ("emptiness"): foundational doctrine stating that all things are empty of self-existence and have no independent existence; founded by 3rd century Indian monk Nagarjuna
• Scriptural Authority in Mahayana:

  • Pali Canon, or Tipitaka
  • Other texts composed in Sanskrit and translated into Chinese and other Asian languages, such as Heart Sutra, Lotus Sutra, Diamond Sutra, Ugrapariprccha Sutra
  • These sutras were recorded later than Pali texts, possibly in Sanskrit or even Chinese
  • Claim that these sutras go back to the words of Shakyamuni himself, passed down orally and recorded much later
  • Theravadin opinion: these sutras were invented by Mahayanist monks and are not part of the canon
  • Broad scholarly assessment: either agnostic or non-historical, meaning they are not the literal teachings from the lips of Shakyamuni himself
• Goal in Mahayana Buddhism:

  • Delay nirvana to be bodhisattvas or future Buddhas
  • Charitably remain within the cycle of samsara until accruing great merit and wisdom to become Buddhas who can teach and liberate other sentient beings
• Chan

  • Chinese Mahayana Buddhism; brought to China in the 5th century by the legendary indian monk Bodhidharma;
  • origins 5th century CE (legendary figure Bodhidharma);
  • emphasis on meditation, insight;
  • wild success in China;
  • no reliance on scripture or text (similar to Theravada);
• Zen

  • extension of Chan in Japan (dating back to 1200 CE), same doctrine and traditions; Japanese Buddhism; emphasizes meditation as a means of looking into one’s own nature and realizing that it’s identical with Buddha’s; this realization brings enlightenment;
  • key insight: I and not-I are non-dual (or not different); satori (flash of insight);
  • mature members sometimes “break rules” because of non-dualism;
  • koan: puzzle intended to stymie the mind, bring new insight;
  • no reliance on scripture or text (similar to Theravada);
• Pure Land

  • emphasizes devotion toward Amitabha Buddha and faith that he will bring his devotees to a blissful rebirth in his own pure land, the Western Pure Land known as Sukhavati; popular in China and Japan;
  • Salvation: escape from samsaric cycle here and entry into the Buddha’s “pure land,” a heavenly paradise of happiness (enlightenment easier).
  • Stands in stark contrast to the Buddhalogy and soteriology of Theravada Buddhism.
  • Texts: Pure Land Sutras (circa 100s CE) contemporary with late Lotus Sutra composition; 
• satori

  flash of insight
• koan


  puzzle intended to stymie the mind
• Vajrayana is a form of Mahayana Buddhism, also known as the "thunderbolt / diamond" vehicle
• Vajrayana sees the material world as a manifestation of divine energy, identifying with Buddhas, bodhisattvas, gods, and goddesses
• Vajrayana is derived from the Tantra religious movement of India
• Vajrayana originated in India around 500 CE and later spread to Tibet
• Before the spread of Vajrayana, Tibet had a shamanistic religion called Bon, which involved demonology and animal sacrifice
• Vajrayana involves tantric practices and invokes the aid of celestial Buddhas, both male and female
• For some practitioners, sexual union in Vajrayana is believed to realize nonduality and erase distinctions between male and female
• Lamas are the teachers of Vajrayana, meaning "ones who are superior," and are considered Tibet's spiritual leaders, equivalent to "gurus"
• Historically, most lamas in Vajrayana had spouses
• Around 1350, there was a reform in Vajrayana known as the "Yellow Church," which emphasized more prayer, reintroduced celibacy, and was led by the Dalai Lama
• The "Yellow Church" did not have hereditary offices; instead, the head lamas were believed to reincarnate
• Deity Yoga is a practice in Vajrayana where practitioners meditate on themselves as a Buddha, embodying their qualities
• Vajrayana is famed for political clashes with communist China, which led to the destruction of many of the 6,000 monasteries established in Tibet
• Lamas


  teachers of Vajrayana; "ones who are superior"; Tibet's spiritual leaders; equivalent of "gurus";
• Deity Yoga


  Meditate on oneself as a Buddha; embody qualities; (Vajrayana)
• The Buddha rejected bhakti as a way of salvation
• The Buddha believed that the world had non-human gods, goddesses, demons, etc., but all are finite
• The Buddha did not espouse ritual sacrifice or prayer
• The teaching of the Buddha did not focus on other-worldly phenomenon like powerful deities, cosmic creation, or eschatology