Health and Fitness – InfoBuzz

Buddhism is a religion based on the teachings of Buddha which are referred to as “Dharma” or “the Dharma.”  Buddhist believe they are on a spiritual quest to Nirvana, a state of complete enlightenment.    Over time the Buddhist religion has evolved, fractured and adapted as the religion spread to the continent of Asia and around the globe.  There are three main sects of Buddhism today along with 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 and the Eightfold Path are core principles and philosophies of the faith.  All believe that Buddhahood is the highest possible state that can be achieved.

Around 300 BC, the Theravada, or “Traditions of the Elders” was first established.  Based on the teachings of Buddha, it encouraged the sangha (followers) to teach the mind to eliminate suffering through the use of meditation with the ultimate goal of reaching Nirvana.  Theravada Buddhism gave life to the Tripitaka, the Pali canon of Buddhist scriptures and the laws governing the practices of Buddhist monks referred to as the Ten Precepts.

This discipline of Buddhism originated in India and moved through southeast Asia into Sri Lanka, Thailand, Burma, Vietnam and other Asian countries.  As it was adopted by the indigenous peoples, the Theravada was altered to incorporate the religious beliefs of the various regions. this form of Buddhism is still popular in Laos, Sri Lanka and Cambodia today.

Mahayana, or Eastern Buddhism, broadens the Buddhist scriptures to include other religious texts and philosophies that champion of belief in universal compassion and altruism.  These beliefs are central to their concept of an “Awakened mind.”  Mahayana Buddhism is most popular in Korea, Japan and China. It incorporates elements of cosmology and mysticism.  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.

Although deeply influenced by Mahayana Buddhism, Tibetan Buddhism or Vajrayana is another distinct discipline of the Buddhist faith..  referred to as Tantric Buddhism, Vajrayana incorporates text and scriptures from both Mahayana and Theraveda Buddhism along with Buddhist Tantras.  A major difference of Vajrayana Buddhism is that it teaches that Buddhahood can be achieved in a single life time without need for 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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