THREE SCHOOLS OF BUDDHISM

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THE THREE SCHOOLS OF BUDDHISM

THERAVADA: “Teaching of the elders”. Also known as Vipassana. The followers
of Theravada consider themselves the conservative keepers of the Buddhist
tradition because it traces its origins all the way back to the period immediately
after Shakyamuni’s (Siddartha Gautama) death in 486 B.C.E.

Mahayana (Great Vessel) Buddhists refer to Theravada as Hinayana (Small Vessel)
because Theravada was believed to be for only a “select few”. Theravada
practicioners never use the term Hinayana when referring to themselves.

The emphasis is on moral discipline, renunciation, monasticism, & Sutra study.
Theravada’s ideal figure is the Arhat (worthy one). Theravada is popular today in
Cambodia, Sri Lanka, & Thailand. It is also the most well known to Europeans.
Theravada monks typically wear orange robes.

MAHAYANA: “Great Vessel”. Mahayana emerged in the first and second centuries
as “reformed” Buddhism. Its ideal figure is the Boddhisatva. Mahayana is popular
in China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, & Tibet (although in Tibet, it is commonly called
Vajrayana). Americans are more familiar with Mahayana. Different monastic
schools wear different colors of robes. In Japanese Zen, the robes tend to be
black, while in Tibetan Vajrayana, the robes tend to be yellow.

VAJRAYANA: “Diamond Vessel”. Vajrayana is based on esoteric “Tantras” (texts)
and unfolded gradually from the third through eighth centuries. As Mahayana made
its way into Tibet, it assimilated & replaced the native Tibetan Shamanistic Bon
(Bern) religion. Vajrayana upholds the Boddhisatva as the ideal figure. It is
dominant in Tibet, Nepal, Bhutan, & Mongolia. The Dalai Lama is its head.
Vajrayana is the most overtly “magical” form of Buddhism & imcludes the creation
of Mandala, chanting Mantra, ecstatic dance & visualization during meditation.