The Many Facets of Buddhism
As with any many other religions today, Buddhism has evolved during its long and varied history. According to FindingDulcinea.com four main forms of Buddhism exist today; Theravada, Mahayana, Vajrayana, and Zen Buddhism.
1. Theravada - This is the oldest form of Buddhism. It is found mostly in Southeast Asia as well as Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos. Theravada focuses of the original oral tradition taught by the Buddha. These texts are referred to as the Pali scriptures. Theravada Buddhists believe that by studying, meditating and following the eight fold path they will find enlightenment.
2. Mahayana - About 500 years after the Buddha was said to have achieved enlightenment the Mahayana form of Buddhism was developed out of the Theravada form of Buddhism. This form of Buddhism focuses on showing compassion and performing works of compassion as a way to enlightenment.
3. Vajrayana - was the third form of Buddhism to develop. Vajrayana Buddhists believe that the physical world affects the spiritual world, and vice-versa. Vajrayana Buddhists focus on rituals, chanting, and tantra techniques as the way to attain Enlightenment. Developing a thorough understanding of the Theravada and Mahayana forms of Buddhism is also encouraged.
4. Zen Buddhism - Zen Buddhism is an offshoot of the Mahayana form of Buddhism and is believed to have originated in China. Zen Buddhists follow the teachings of the monk Bodhidharma. Zen Buddhists view daily zazen meditation as essential for attaining true enlightenment and focuses less on the exhaustive study of scripture.
While several different forms of Buddhism exist it is important to note that there were never any serious differences on the fundamentals of Buddhism. The different forms of Buddhism that developed all still hold to the teachings of the Theravada form of Buddhism, which was the oldest and original form of Buddhism.
All forms of Buddhism follow the "eight fold path" to enlightenment. This path is defined by TheBigView.com as:
1. Right View - This is the beginning and the end of the path, it simply means to see and to understand things as they really are.
2. Right Intention - Right intention is a commitment to ethical and mental self-improvement.
3. Right Speech - Buddha explained right speech as abstaining from deliberately telling lies, speaking slander or using words to hurt others, and refrain from idle words.
4. Right Action - Simply put, unwholesome actions lead to unsound states of mind, while wholesome actions lead to sound states of mind.
5. Right Livelihood - Right livelihood means that one should earn one's living in a righteous way and that wealth should be gained legally and peacefully.
6. Right Effort - Without effort, which is an act of will, nothing can be achieved. The same type of energy that fuels desire, envy, aggression, and violence can fuel self-discipline, honesty, benevolence, and kindness.
7. Right Mindfulness - Right mindfulness is the controlled and perfected mental ability to see things clearly as they really are.
8. Right Concentration - This is the directe4d and concentrated focusing of your mind on one particular thought or object.
TheBigView.com further explains that all forms of Buddhism also believe in the "four noble truths":
1. Life means suffering - To live means to suffer, because humans are not perfect and neither is the world.
2. The origin of suffering is attachment - Suffering is caused by becoming attached to transient things be they objects or ideas.
3. The cessation of suffering is attainable - Suffering will end when you undo the attachment to things or ideas through becoming detached from everything. Achieving this detachment is referred to as the state of Nirvana. Nirvana is the freedom from all worries, troubles, and ideas.
4. The path to the cessation of suffering - This is a path of gradual self-improvement where one finds the balance between the two extremes of total self-indulgence and total self-denial.
According to Buddhanet.net no matter what form of Buddhism a person follows they still feel as if they are all part of the same family. They pray in each others temples and refuse to go to war with each other. They are able to maintain their differences while still holding on the basic truths they share that unite them.
FindingDulcinea.com
Buddhanet.net
TheBigView.com
TheBigView.com
Published by Colleen Mitchell
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