Schools Of Buddhisim Schools of Buddhism refers to the various institutional and doctrinal divisions of Buddhism that have existed from ancient times up to the present. The classification and nature of various doctrinal, philosophical or cultural facets or schools of Buddhism is vague and has been interpreted in many different ways, often due to the sheer number (perhaps thousands) of different sects, subsects, movements, etc. that have made up or currently make up the whole of Buddhist traditions. The sectarian and conceptual divisions of Buddhist thought are part of the modern framework of Buddhist studies, as well as comparative religion in Asia. From a largely English language standpoint, and to some extent in most of Western academia, Buddhism is separated into two groups at its foundation: Theravāda literally, the Teaching of the Elders or the Ancient Teaching, and Mahāyāna, literally the Great Vehicle. The most common classification among scholars is threefold, with Mahāyāna itself between the traditional Mahāyāna teachings, and the Vajrayāna teachings which emphasize esotericism. Contents 1 Classifications 2 Terminology 3 Early schools 3.1 Twenty sects 3.2 Influences on East Asian schools 4 Theravāda subschools 5 Mahāyāna schools 6 Esoteric schools 7 New Buddhist movements 8 See also 9 References 10 Literature 11 External links Classifications The Macmillan Encyclopedia of Religion distinguishes three types of classification of Buddhism, separated into Movements, Nikāyas and Doctrinal schools: Schools: Theravada, basically in South Asia and Southeast Asia. Mahāyāna, basically in East Asia. Vajrayāna, basically in Tibet, Bhutan, Mongolia and the Russian republic of Kalmykia. Nikāyas, or monastic fraternities, three of which survive at the present day: Theravāda, in Southeast Asia and South Asia Dharmaguptaka, in China, Korea and Vietnam Mūlasarvāstivāda, in the Tibetan tradition Doctrinal schools Terminology The terminology for the major divisions of Buddhism can be confusing, as Buddhism is variously divided by scholars and practitioners according to geographic, historical, and philosophical criteria, with different terms often being used in different contexts. The following terms may be encountered in descriptions of the major Buddhist divisions: Conservative Buddhism an alternative name for the early Buddhist schools. Early Buddhist schools the schools into which Buddhism became divided in its first few centuries; only one of these survives as an independent school, Theravāda East Asian Buddhism a term used by scholars to cover the Buddhist traditions of Japan, Korea, Singapore and most of China and Vietnam Eastern Buddhism an alternative name used by some scholars for East Asian Buddhism; also sometimes used to refer to all traditional forms of Buddhism, as distinct from Western(ized) forms. Esoteric Buddhism usually considered synonymous with Vajrayāna. Some scholars have applied the term to certain practices found within the Theravāda, particularly in Cambodia. Hīnayāna literally meaning lesser vehicle. It is considered a controversial term when applied by the Mahāyāna to mistakenly refer to the Theravāda school, and as such is widely viewed as condescending and pejorative. Moreover, Hīnayāna refers to the now non extant schools with limited set of views, practices and results, prior to the development of the Mahāyāna traditions. The term is currently most often used as a way of describing a stage on the path in Tibetan Buddhism, but is often mistakenly confused with the contemporary Theravāda tradition, which is far more complex, diversified and profound, than the literal and limiting definition attributed to Hīnayāna . Its use in scholarly publications is now also considered controversial. Lamaism an old term, still sometimes used, synonymous with Tibetan Buddhism; widely considered derogatory. Mahāyāna a movement that emerged from early Buddhist schools, together with its later descendants, East Asian and Tibetan Buddhism. Vajrayāna traditions are sometimes listed separately. The main use of the term in East Asian and Tibetan traditions is in reference to spiritual level, regardless of school. Mainstream Buddhism a term used by some scholars for the early Buddhist schools. Mantrayāna usually considered synonymous with Vajrayāna. The Tendai school in Japan has been described as influenced by Mantrayana Newar Buddhism a non-monastic, caste based Buddhism with patrilineal descent and Sanskrit texts. Nikāya Buddhism or schools an alternative term for the early Buddhist schools. Non-Mahāyāna an alternative term for the early Buddhist schools. Northern Buddhism an alternative term used by some scholars[2][page needed] for Tibetan Buddhism. Also, an older term still sometimes used to encompass both East Asian and Tibetan traditions. It has even been used to refer to East Asian Buddhism alone, without Tibetan Buddhism. Secret Mantra an alternative rendering of Mantrayāna, a more literal translation of the term used by schools in Tibetan Buddhism when referring to themselves. Sectarian Buddhism an alternative name for the early Buddhist schools. Southeast Asian Buddhism an alternative name used by some scholars for Theravāda. Southern Buddhism an alternative name used by some scholars for Theravāda. Śravakayāna an alternative term sometimes used for the early Buddhist schools. Tantrayāna or Tantric Buddhism usually considered synonymous with Vajrayāna. However, one scholar describes the tantra divisions of some editions of the Tibetan scriptures as including Śravakayāna, Mahāyāna and Vajrayāna texts. Some scholars, particularly François Bizot, have used the term Tantric Theravāda to refer to certain practices found particularly in Cambodia. Theravāda the traditional Buddhism of Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Burma, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and parts of Vietnam, China, India, and Malaysia. It is the only surviving representative of the historical early Buddhist schools. The term Theravāda is also sometimes used to refer to all the early Buddhist schools. Tibetan Buddhism usually understood as including the Buddhism of Tibet, Mongolia, Bhutan and parts of China, India and Russia, which follow the Tibetan tradition. Vajrayāna a movement that developed out of Indian Mahāyāna, together with its later descendants. There is some disagreement on exactly which traditions fall into this category. Tibetan Buddhism is universally recognized as falling under this heading; many also include the Japanese Shingon school. Some scholars, also apply the term to the Korean milgyo tradition, which is not a separate school. One scholar says, Despite the efforts of generations of Buddhist thinkers, it remains exceedingly difficult to identify precisely what it is that sets the Vajrayana apart. Early schools An image of Gautama Buddha with a swastika, a traditional Buddhist symbol of infinity, on his chest. Ananda, the Buddhas disciple, appears in the background. This statue is from Hsi Lai Temple. Sthaviravāda Pudgalavāda (Personalist) (c. 280 BCE) Sarvāstivāda Vibhajyavāda (prior to 240 BCE; during Aśoka) Theravāda (c. 240 BCE) Theravāda subschools (see below) Mahīśāsaka (after 232 BCE) Dharmaguptaka (after 232 BCE) Kāśyapīya (after 232 BCE) Vatsīputrīya (under Aśoka) later name: Saṃmitīya Dharmottarīya Bhadrayānīya Sannāgarika Mūlasarvāstivāda (third and fourth centuries) Sautrāntika (between 50 BCE and c. 100 CE) Mahāsāṃghika (Majority, c. 380 BCE) Ekavyahārikas (under Aśoka) Lokottaravāda Golulika (during Aśoka) Bahuśrutīya (late third century BCE) Prajñaptivāda (late third century BCE) Cetiyavāda Caitika (mid-first century BCE) Apara Śaila Uttara Śaila Twenty sects The following lists the twenty sects described as Hīnayāna, as the classification is understood in some Mahāyāna texts: Sthaviravāda split into the 11 sects: Sarvāstivādin Haimavata Vatsīputrīya Dharmottara Bhadrayānīya Sammitiya Channagirika Mahīśāsaka Dharmaguptaka Kāśyapīya Sautrāntika Sthaviravāda─┬─ Haimavata──────────────────────────────────────────── └─ Sarvāstivādin─┬─────────────────────────────────── ├ Vatsīputrīya ─┬──────────────────── │ ├ Dharmottara─────── │ ├ Bhadrayānīya───── │ ├ Sammitiya──────── │ └ Channagirika───── ├ Mahīśāsaka─┬───────────────────── │ └ Dharmaguptaka────── ├ Kāśyapīya──────────────────────── └ Sautrāntika────────────────────── Mahāsāṃghika split into 9 sects: Ekavyahārika Lokottaravādin Kaukkutika Bahuśrutīya Prajñaptivāda Caitika Aparaśaila Uttaraśaila. Mahasanghika─┬──────────────────────┬───── ├ Ekavyahārika ├ Caitika ├ Lokottaravādin ├ Aparaśaila ├ Kaukkutika └ Uttaraśaila ├ Bahuśrutīya └ Prajñaptivāda Influences on East Asian schools The following later schools used the vinaya of the Dharmaguptaka: Chinese Buddhism, especially the Vinaya School Korean Buddhism, especially Gyeyul Vietnamese Buddhism Japanese Ritsu The following involve philosophical influence: The Japanese Jujitsu is considered by some an offshoot of Sautrāntika; others consider it to be derived from Bahuśrutīya The Chinese/Japanese Kusha school is considered an offshoot of Sarvāstivāda, influenced by Vasubandhu. Theravāda subschools Samādhi Buddha statue at Mahamevuna Park in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka carved in the 4th century AD. The different schools in Theravāda often emphasize different aspects (or parts) of the Pāli canon and the later commentaries, or differ in the focus on and recommended way of practice. There are also significant differences in strictness or interpretation of the vinaya. Bangladesh: Sangharaj Nikaya Mahasthabir Nikaya Burma: Thudhamma Nikaya Vipassanā tradition of Mahasi Sayadaw and disciples Shwegyin Nikaya Dvaya Nikaya or Dvara Nikaya (see Mendelson, Sangha and State in Burma, Cornell University Press, Ithaca, New York, 1975) Sri Lanka: Siam Nikaya Waturawila (or Mahavihara Vamshika Shyamopali Vanavasa Nikaya) Amarapura Nikaya Kanduboda (or Swejin Nikaya) Tapovana (or Kalyanavamsa) Ramañña Nikaya Sri Kalyani Yogasrama Samstha (or ‘Galduwa Tradition’) Delduwa forest nikaya Thailand Maha Nikaya Dhammakaya Movement Mahasati meditation (mindfulness meditation) Thammayut Nikaya Thai Forest Tradition Tradition of Ajahn Chah Mahāyāna schools Thousand-armed Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva. Guanyin Nunnery, Anhui, China Indian Buddhism Mādhyamaka Prāsangika Svātantrika Yogācāra Chinese Buddhism Vinaya school Pure Land Satyasiddhi (Historical) Abhidharmakośa (Historical) Daśabhūmikā (absorbed into Huayan) Tiantai Huayan (Avataṃsaka) Chan (Zen) Tangmi (Esoteric) Sanlun (Mādhyamaka) Weishi (Yogācāra) Korean Buddhism Gyeyul (Vinaya school) Cheontae (Tiantai) Hwaeom (Avataṃsaka) Seon (Zen) Beopsang (Yogācāra) Won (Korean Reformed Buddhism) Vietnamese Buddhism Trúc Lâm Thiền (Zen) Japanese Buddhism Pure Land Jōdo-shū Jōdo Shinshū Ritsu school (Vinaya school) Sanron (Mādhyamaka) Hossō (Yogācāra) Tendai Shingon Zen Rinzai Sōtō Ōbaku Fuke-shū (Historical) Nichiren Buddhism Nichiren Shū Nichiren Shōshū Nipponzan Myōhōji Newar Buddhism Tibetan Buddhism Nyingma Kagyu Sakya Gelug Jonang Esoteric schools Subcategorised according to predecessors Nyingma New Bön (synthesis of Yungdrung Bön and Nyingmapa) Kadam Sakya Ngor-pa Tsar-pa Jonang Gelug Kagyu: Shangpa Kagyu Marpa Kagyu: Rechung Kagyu Dagpo Kagyu: Karma Kagyu (or Kamtshang Kagyu) Tsalpa Kagyu Baram Kagyu Pagtru Kagyu (or Phagmo Drugpa Kagyu): Taklung Kagyu Trophu Kagyu Drukpa Kagyu Martsang Kagyu Yerpa Kagyu Yazang Kagyu Shugseb Kagyu Drikung Kagyu Rime movement (ecumenical movement) Newar Buddhism Tangmi Buddhism Japanese Mikkyo Shingon Tendai (derived from Tiantai but added tantric practices) Shinnyo-en New Buddhist movements Diamond Way Triratna Buddhist Community New Kadampa Tradition Share International True Buddha School Vipassana movement Shambhala Buddhism Sōka Gakkai
Posted on: Tue, 04 Mar 2014 13:06:23 +0000
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