The Many Branches of the Buddhist Faith

Buddhism is a religion based on the teachings of Buddha which are referred to as “Dharma” or “the Dharma.”  Those who practice Buddhism engage in a spiritual quest to attain a state of complete enlightenment known as Nirvana.    Like all religions, Buddhism has evolved over time, fractured and adapted as the religion spread to the continent of Asia and around the globe.  Today, there are three major sects of Buddhism and several lesser-known denominations of the religion.

These different Buddhist religions are all united under some core Buddhist principles. They all accept Buddha as their spiritual teacher.  The Four Noble Truths are core to their philosophies and teachings.  Those who practice Buddhism follow the principles of the Eightfold Path and believe that Buddhahood is the highest possible state that one could achieve.

The Theravada or “doctrine of the Elders” was established around 300 BC..  This religion centered around the teachings of Buddha and encouraged the sangha (followers) to teach the mind to eliminate suffering through the use of meditation with the goal of achieving Buddhahood.  Theravada Buddhism gave life to the Tripitaka, the Pali canon of Buddhist scriptures and the Ten Precepts which govern the lifestyle of Buddhist monks.

This discipline of Buddhism originated in India and migrated to southeast Asia into Thailand, Burma, Vietnam, Sri Lanka and other Asian countries.  As it was adopted by the indigenous peoples, the Theravada was adapted to include the religious viewpoints of the various regions. It is still practiced in Laos, Sri Lanka and Cambodia today.

Eastern Buddhism known as Mahayana expands the Pali Canon and includes other religious texts and philosophies that champion of belief in universal compassion and altruism.  This is central to their belief in an “Awakened mind.”  Practiced primarily in China, Korea and Japan, Mahayana Buddhism incorporates elements of mysticism and cosmology.  Mahayana Buddhism itself has divided into two main sects.  Zen Buddhism, which focuses more on internalization of the spiritual path and self-reliance and Pure Land Buddhism which teaches that dedication to the Amitabha Buddha is required to reach Nirvana.

Vajrayana or Tibetan Buddhism is very similar to Mahayana Buddhism with subtle variations.  Also known as “tantric Buddhism,” Vajrayana melds the scriptures and text of both Mahayana and Theraveda Buddhism along with Buddhist Tantras.  Vajrayana teaches that it is possible to achieve Buddhahood in a single lifetime without the journey of reincarnation.   

The method in which one achieves enlightenment is the most significant difference between the various types of Buddhism.  each value meditation and spiritual journey guided by the eightfold Path and the four Noble truths, but the attainment of Buddhahood differs in each version of the Buddhist faith.

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