Different forms of Buddhism
 

Hi there,

Im very new to Buddhism and even more new to this Forum!!

I have one question - what are all the forms of Buddhism. I have been reading books and websites etc on Buddhism but i cant seem to make sense of all the different forms, its an awful lot to take in but i just feel so drawn to Buddhism, whenever im stressed or start panickign about naythign reading up on Buddhism or meditating always helps me. But at the same time its a little frustrating not beign able to get to grips with all the different forms. Laymens terms would be so so helpful!!

Thanks in advance!

Welcome Ash22 !

Firstly I recommend you read and listen along to 'What is Buddhism'

http://www.buddhismwithoutboundaries...at-is-Buddhism

Then, as there are Theravada and Mahayana traditions within Buddhism, you might find this helpful:

Theravada-Mahayana Buddhism:

http://www.buddhismwithoutboundaries...ayana-Buddhism


As you are a beginner it would also be beneficial for you to investigate the Buddhist Study Guide at the Buddhanet website:

http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/index.htm

with kind wishes,

Aloka http://www.discussworldissues.com/fo...ilies/grin.gif

welcome Ash

core original Buddhism is about how suffering arises in the mind and about how it ends...namely, the four noble truths

core original Buddhism is also about the nature of reality, that is, the characteristics of natural things & their relationships

core original Buddhism is, in its purist aspects, very scientific

but as Buddhism expanded socially, from monks to the broader society, some schools started to emphasise teachings for the man in the street (rather than the devoted meditator); emphasis teachings about 'rebirth' and the like above all else; so they took certain Buddhist principles and created their own theories about rebirth & reincarnation

then as Buddhism was losing popularity in India, some monks decided to introduce Hindu love & healing deities into Buddhism and turn Buddha into a Jesus-like 'Love Being'

then as Buddhism travelled to other cultures, due to its non-aggressiveness, it often merged with the existing religions. thus in Tibet, it merged with the Bon shaman religion; in China with Taoism; in Thailand with ancestor worship, etc

thus, as Buddhism increased its spread & scope socially & culturally, the different schools arose

for example, in Japan, there is the Zen school, which focuses mostly on meditation rather than social teachings. this is because the existing Shinto religion remained predominant in Japan, and unlike during periods in India, Sri Lanka, Burma, Tibet, China, etc, Buddhism never rose to prominance as a social/cultural/political religion

thus, even today, such as in the USA, people create their unique forms of Buddhism

as Buddhism is generally open minded, these idiosyncratic changes occur with little resistance from Buddhists & Buddhism as a whole

the vast majority of Buddhists generally agree Buddhism is like one large family in which the members have many respectful disagreements

ok...that is my idiosyncratic history lesson

kind regards

http://www.discussworldissues.com/fo...lies/peace.gif

Hello Ash,

Be welcome to BWB!

I think Element has given a very good approach of the how and why Buddhism is nowadays a huge believe system.

I highly recommend to explore carefully the traditions and offline sanghas that are available where you live. If not, then Internet and online resources can be of great help.

Have a look to the Study-Links section where are reliable web pages about the core teachings of Buddha.

Personal experience was that about wandering around some Buddhist traditions... non of them were so appealing as just the core teachings of Buddha left in his discourses known as "Suttas" in the Nikayas. There, for the first time, contentment was found.

What surprised me was the outstanding scientific approach far from blind believes, rites, rituals, speculative metaphysical mind adventures and all the religious haze of many "spiritual" systems around the world.

Buddha makes us reflect about suffering, recognize from where we suffer, the why of this suffering and the way to end it, now.

http://www.discussworldissues.com/fo...ilies/grin.gif

Brilliant, thank you so much everyone! those links are exactly what i needed!
All your information is much appreciated, looks like i have more reading to do now :)

Thanks again.

Esho -- do you have a link or recommended translation of the "Suttas in the Nikayas"?

With thanks

Hi Lizy,

Esho was refering to the books of suttas called 'Nikayas' in the Pali Canon (Tipitaka). These are the Digha Nikaya, Majjhima Nikaya, Samyutta Nikaya,
Anguttara Nikaya and Khuddaka Nikaya.

You can find translations and a lot more helpful information at the Access to Insight website at the link:

http://www.accesstoinsight.org/help.html#map


with kind wishes

Aloka http://www.discussworldissues.com/fo...lies/hands.gif

imo, if we are a very experienced practitioner, it is common to start with the Majjhima Nikaya and then the Samyutta Nikaya

however, if we are not & simply wish to explore, starting with the Anguttara Nikaya is best as this was compiled also for lay people

the Anguttara Nikaya has a large variety of topics taught in shorter discourses

kind regards

http://www.discussworldissues.com/fo...ilies/grin.gif

many thanks to you both

Buddhism is a very adaptable system. As it spread it often absorbed,rather than replaced, the existing religions it encountered. Tibetan Buddhism for instance completely absorbed the native Bon religion. In China it is practiced along side Taoism and Confuciusism. In Japan Buddhism and Shintoism are practiced side by side and one might mediate on Buddhism in the morning and pray to the Kami for protection at night. I'm pointing this out to show that the various "national" types of Buddhism(ie. Chinese,Japaneses,Tibetan) have a lot of characteristics of the religions of those native cultures and unlike Christianity or Islam, Buddhism choose to adapt rather than conquer. That's one thing I like about it, perhaps because it lacks the pure undeniable certainly of divine revelation it is more tolerant of other beliefs.

Buddhism choose to adapt rather than conquer I could not agree more http://www.discussworldissues.com/fo...lies/hands.gif