The second council in 383BCE created an division in Buddhism
-translates to mean “School of the elders”
-conservative branch of Buddhism
-predominant in Sri Lanka, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Burma
-only recognizes the Tripitaka as a sacred text
-based on the Vinaya Pitaka (Monastic Rules)
-only religious figures can reach Nirvana
-once they reach Enlightenment they become an ARHAT
-consider Buddha a supremely gifted, but mortal teacher
-still use the PALI language (used during Buddha’s time)
-after the 3rd Great Council King Ashoka of India adopted the split and tried to force Theravada on the people. This caused a bloody war and the king backed down after realizing his mistake
-sent his son and daughter to Sri Lanka as Buddhist missionaries
MAHAYANA
-second major sect in Buddhism
-predominant in China, Vietnam, Korea, Japan
-translates to mean “the Greater Vehicle”
-more liberal in that they are willing to adopt new rules and doctrines
-Tripitaka is the most important sacred text they do accept later
adaptations
-Buddha was a divine being who took human form to help others
-anyone can obtain enlightenment
-believe in BODHISATTVAS
-many divine beings in heaven
VAJRAYANA
-predominant in Tibet and Nepal
-also called TANTRIC, THUNDERBOLT, or DIAMOND Buddhism
-Bodhisattvas wish to gain enlightenment for the good of all
sentient beings
-began as an amalgamation between Buddhism and Bon (local religion
in Tibet prior to Buddhism)
-Bon is an animistic/shamanistic religion
-the two were joined so that the entire country would embrace the faith
-Tibet is a THEOCRACY in that the religious leader is also the political
leader (head of state)
-the leader came to be known as the DALAI LAMA, the reincarnation of the Bodhisattva of Compassion
-when the Dalai Lama dies his body enters the body of a newborn, male Tibetan child
ZEN
Zen Buddhism originated in China, but flourished in Japan. Zen Buddhists believe that mediation leads to enlightenment. Good deeds and devotion are revered, but they are not seen as the best vehicles to Nirvana. Two schools developed:
RINZAI
-by modern standards their methods are odd
-they use shouting, hitting, and paradoxes (KOANS) to jolt students out of
their fixed ways of thinking
-promotes mental strength (logic is not always the best choice)
-founded by the monk EISAI
-Enlightenment (SATORI) could come in hours or years
-Samurais adopted it to promote personal discipline
-also called Aristocratic Zen because the rich have always been use to
immediate gratification
SOTO
-founded by the monk DOGAN
-enlightenment is achieved through strict discipline
-sitting meditation (ZAZEN), usually done in hours long sessions
-enlightenment takes years to reach, sometimes lifetimes
-also called COUNTRY ZEN because it was predominant among
peasants who were use to working for their rewards