Introduction
Founder: Buddha
Location: India
Date: ~500 BCE
Primary Scripture: Tipitaka (Tripitaka)
Main Goal: Achieve Nirvana
Main Figure
Buddha
Other names
Sakyamuni (Sakya clan sage), (Shakyamuni)
Siddhartha Gautama (Birth Name)
Historical Buddha
Contribution: Founder Buddhism
Occupation: Prince (Indian)
Buddha's Last Words
"Everything that has been created is subject to decay and death. Everything is transitory. Work out your own salvation with diligence."
The Major Sects of Buddhism
Theravada (Hinayana) Buddhism
Literal: School of the Elders (Small Vehicle)
Main Focus
Four Noble Truths
Meditation
Sage Buddha
Main adherents: Southeast Asia
Mahayana Buddhism
Literal: Large Vehicle
Main Focus
Four Noble Truths
Meditation
Divine Buddha
Bodhisattvas
Main adherents: China, Japan, and Korea
Subdivisions
Pure Land School
Tian Dai (China) or Tendai (Japan) Buddhism
§ Confucianism Influence
Ch'an (China) or Zen (Japan) Buddhism
§ Daoism Influence
§ Main Focus
§ Meditation
§ Chanting
§ Teacher-Student dialog
Vajrayana Buddhism
Literal: Diamond Vehicle
Main Focus
Meditation
Chanting
Enlightenment in one lifetime
Tibetan gods and demons
Religious visualizations
Philosophical debate
Ritual
Yoga
Tantric Practices
Main adherents: Tibet & Nepal