The Major Sects of Buddhism

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