Proto-Buddhism (Siddhartha’s teaching) later developed into two main schools - the Theravada (Southern) and the Mahayana (Northern) Buddhism. Theravada (School of the Elders) regards itself as close to the original tecahing of the Buddha but some practices, such as use of Buddha-rupas (images) developed after the Buddha's death. Possibly until the first century CE, only symbols (such as an umbrella) were used to depict the Buddha. Post-Buddha's death practices include offering flowers, light (candles) and incense to honor the Buddha-Rupa, washing images and shrines at New Year and the Wesack festival celebrating the Buddha's birth and enlightenment.

Mahayana has many sub-traditions (Pure Land, Zen)

Tibetan sometimes identified as a third school; Vajrayana (Diamond Vehicle). Here, the living Bodhisattvas play important role

The concept of "skillful means" aided cultural adaptation. Thus: Buddhism does not "reject" what is complementary. Proto-Buddhism was a middle way but quite austere; for some lacked family/this life appeal.

Mahayana reduces "gap" between lay and full-time religious/Greater Vehicle. Popular Buddhism replaced the dead, imageless Buddha with a cosmic Buddha who could be worshipped/ Buddha nature within. Stupas (containing relics) and rupas developed to aid this - Asoka’s reign (268 - 239 BCE).

Sri Lanka: 250 BCE

Burma, Thailand: third century BCE

Cambodia: first century CE

Vietnam : third century BCE

Tibet: seventh century CE

China: 50 CE

Japan: via China and Korea, 538 CE

By 1189 disappeared from India.

Mahayana supplemented the go-it-alone salvation of Theravada with possibility of external aid (the Bodhisattva instead of Arhat) - secred/hidden scriptures. Emerged at/after 2nd Council 150 BCE (possible relaxing Vinaya rules; some monks may have wanted more than the single, noon meal). The dissenting party may also have claimed to be the majority; however, the name 'Greater Vehicle' suggests that they thought their teaching the more 'generous'. In the Lotus Sutra (popular Mahayana scripture) the Theravada's dharma is compared with toys that children in a burning house needed to be persuaded to leave behind. Only by embracing the more comprehensive and advanced dharma of Mahayana can you escape samsara, the burning house.

A complex cosmology emerged; Gods as powerful beings/hells and heavens = temporary rewards/punishment/ or step towards nirvana. Devotion to the Amida Buddha of the Pure Land will result in re-birth in that realm, from where nirvana can be achieved quickly. Sometimes, Pure Land is called the 'express train'.

ZEN (popular in China. Japan) rejects external aid (even scriptures). From Dhan = meditation (in China, Chan; Japan = Zen). Buddha/nirvana is within. Can not be realized via the reason or the intellect but through the non-rational part of our intellect. All is one (buddha-nature is universal). Zen discipline, archery, martial arts, aims at total identification of "self' with the object or with the "other' until the illusion of separateness vanishes; all is Buddha. Zen Buddhists live in the moment, in the act, fully focussing on the present task; mindfulness = 'no-thought', thus nirvana may be intuited.

China: Buddhism as one of three ways (Multiple Religious Identity) Confucianism = public life; Taoism = domestic, Buddhism eternal).

Doctrine of Three Buddhas; historical buddha, buddha as a heavenly being, the Truth-Body of the Buddha = eternal truth, the Buddha nature.

Doctrine of merit transfer: Bodhisattvas can share their merit, gained from the accumulation of 'perfections', with others.

Bodhisattva goal replaces Arhat goal: instead of entering nirvana, a Bodhisattva pledges to remain within samsara, helping others towards enlightenement, until all sentient beings have achieved the goal. Mahayana say that this is the more compassionate, less selfish goal. Merit transfer and role of Bodhisattvas makes nirvana a goal for which more people can aim. However, ultimately, it is still pro-enlightenment choice and practice of the dharma, or of devotion, that will lead to the realization of nirvana, it is never only a gift.

Pali Canon (Theravada): The Tripitaka (3 baskets)

Vinaya (Sangha rules)

Sutra (thread) discourses

Abhidharma - conduct, ethics

Canon fixed First Buddhist Council (approx 500 BCE).

Mahayana: many additional texts; include

Vimalikirti (addressed to celestrial Boddhisatvas).

True Lotus Sutra. Very popular in Japan.

Nichiren (1228 - 83) taught that Lotus Sutra = the dharma; homage to the Lotus Sutra with faith = realization of all goals, religious and material. He opposed all other forms of religion, including other Buddhist schools.

©2000 Clinton Bennett