|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Sat Aug 18, 2007 9:15 am
Lady Adokenai Harry's big post was very helpful, but I'm still trying to pick between Mahayana and Theravada. D: any more information that differenciates the two? In general (and to my understanding), the Theravada relies solely on the Pali Canon and closely related scriptures. Emphasis is on analytic (Insight) meditation, study of the scriptures, and personal conduct based on the monastic precepts; the ultimate goal is to become an Arhat who is no longer subject to the afflicted emotions ( kleshas). Whether or not an Arhat is equivalent to an actual Buddha seems to vary according to the authority, but apparently the old Theravadans thought that complete enlightenment like that of Buddha Gautama was beyond them. The many Mahayana sects rely on the Pali Canon fundamentals along with a wide selection of further scriptures that often have a stronger supernaturalistic (though generally metaphorical) feel than the Theravada texts. Unique characteristics of the Mahayana include greater emphasis in the role of Compassion in one's quest for Complete Enlightenment, the central role of Bodhisattvas (Enlightenment Beings or Buddhas-to-Be) in helping countless sentient beings advance in Buddhism, and a greater spiritual role given to the laity (everyday people) in Buddhist society. The term Mahayana ("Greater Vehicle") is contrasted with Hinayana ("Lesser Vehicle" of the Theravada and similar sects) because individual Mahayana practice is said to carry many beings to enlightenment while the Hinayanists only practice for themselves. Everyday living, if practiced mindfully and with the ultimate goal of Buddhahood, is not seen as a great obstacle to religious practice as it is to the more-monkish Hinayana/Southern School sects. The Mahayana sects also tend to ascribe to comparatively-advanced philosophical schools such as Middle Way (Madyhamika) and Consciousness-Only (Cittamatra and Yogacara). The texts I've read say that the non-Mahayana practitioners gravitate toward the philosophical views that "real indivisible particles/atoms exist," which is refuted by the later schools.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Aug 18, 2007 3:53 pm
ElectricLoki Yukio-Vil Does anyone know of a book or a website that talks about the differences more in depth? (not that this isn't deep enough) ... Since it appears you are in college, ... 0.o WOW! THANKS! I'm actually in High School, a 10th grader. That's an amazing complement, right there! Thanks for the info, though!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Aug 18, 2007 4:57 pm
Many apologies for the double post:
I found a link @ BuddhaNet about the different sects
http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/history/schools.htm
I don't know if this has been posted before or not. I don't think so.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2007 10:37 am
Yukio-Vil ElectricLoki Yukio-Vil Does anyone know of a book or a website that talks about the differences more in depth? (not that this isn't deep enough) ... Since it appears you are in college, ... 0.o WOW! THANKS! I'm actually in High School, a 10th grader. That's an amazing complement, right there! Thanks for the info, though! LOL no problem...I thought you stated "my university" at one point above mrgreen
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Aug 26, 2007 4:14 pm
ElectricLoki Yukio-Vil ElectricLoki Yukio-Vil Does anyone know of a book or a website that talks about the differences more in depth? (not that this isn't deep enough) ... Since it appears you are in college, ... 0.o WOW! THANKS! I'm actually in High School, a 10th grader. That's an amazing complement, right there! Thanks for the info, though! LOL no problem...I thought you stated "my university" at one point above mrgreen Ah! So I did. I was speaking of Emory University (which is rather nearby to me). I'm thinking of going there when I get out, because (well, not SOLELY because) they have a study abroad program to see the Dalai Lama... soooooo cool!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Oct 27, 2007 7:32 pm
I am a little (a lot) vague on the subject of the different sects. However, I have done a little research, and I think Mahayana may be right for me... 3nodding
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Dec 15, 2007 4:27 pm
Does one have to align themselves perfectly with one of the major sects?
Or what if they seem to primarily agree with one, but have several contrasting views more appropriate to another?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2007 11:39 am
The Star is Vain Does one have to align themselves perfectly with one of the major sects? Or what if they seem to primarily agree with one, but have several contrasting views more appropriate to another? That's hard to say. While there certainly isn't any reason to conform doctrinally to a sect if one hasn't been ordained, it is generally thought that it is best to keep to a single system of thought and practice for consistency. Keep in mind that many of the major sects are defined in broad terms to begin with, so aligning with most of them shouldn't be difficult even if you have different views on some subjects. For instance, Tibetan Buddhism includes a wide variety of practices and philosophies in its scope and, in its totality, Zen Buddhism has a greater diversity of sects than often acknowledged (probably due to the current prestige of the main Japanese Zen sects over the Chinese and Korean ones). The "big question" is probably whether you gravitate towards "Hinayana" or "Mahayana" views, with issues of exact agreement of views with those of the other sects being secondary. Reading a variety of books from different Buddhist traditions should help develop your views, but keep in mind that the many Mahayana sources will argue against the practice of Hinayana/Theravada (though the general argument is that the Hinayana views are of value but don't "go all the way" like the Mahayana teachings).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Aug 16, 2009 12:04 am
I'm in the Soka Gakkai Int'l. We split from the priesthood a while ago and we believe the highest sutra is the lotus sutra and our president is Daisaku Ikeda. He is the 3rd but the first and second were Tsunesaburo Makiguchi and Josei Toda. Anyone else from SGI????
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Aug 16, 2009 3:41 pm
XxDiva SwaggaxX I'm in the Soka Gakkai Int'l. We split from the priesthood a while ago and we believe the highest sutra is the lotus sutra and our president is Daisaku Ikeda. He is the 3rd but the first and second were Tsunesaburo Makiguchi and Josei Toda. Anyone else from SGI???? I am! blaugh President Ikeda is something else 3nodding , even though he'll be 81 this year he has the spirit of someone who is Youthful, he is a great mentor.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Dec 09, 2009 2:15 pm
are there different types of Zen Buddhism? could anyone elaborate on them?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Dec 11, 2009 11:18 am
a n n i v i are there different types of Zen Buddhism? could anyone elaborate on them? Oh, yes. Yes there are. Let's see... Perhaps the simplest way I can do a really quick outline of the different common schools is through Wiki. Try this. It's well sourced, for the most part, and will give you a pretty good idea of the different schools of Zen.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TheManWhoLivesintheClouds
|
Posted: Tue Dec 15, 2009 7:02 am
A fellow Soka Gakkai here as well.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Dec 17, 2009 7:13 pm
Hazelynn XxDiva SwaggaxX I'm in the Soka Gakkai Int'l. We split from the priesthood a while ago and we believe the highest sutra is the lotus sutra and our president is Daisaku Ikeda. He is the 3rd but the first and second were Tsunesaburo Makiguchi and Josei Toda. Anyone else from SGI???? I am! blaugh President Ikeda is something else 3nodding , even though he'll be 81 this year he has the spirit of someone who is Youthful, he is a great mentor. I'm in SGI too <33 I've been wanting to know if there was anyone on Gaia in SGI for years XD
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Mar 13, 2010 8:13 pm
also an sgi member 3nodding
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
