The Religions Book

330

N

ow followed in many parts of the world, Buddhism originated

in northern India over 2,500 years ago with the teachings of

Siddhartha Gautama. Buddhism arose within Hinduism, which, at

the time, was producing some of its most deeply philosophical and abstract

texts, and Buddhism is dominated by ideas, not deities and doctrines. It has

one aim—to guide each person on to the path that leads to enlightenment,

or spiritual liberation from the worldly self. Buddha himself taught that any

means by which this aim could be achieved was valid, and as Buddhism

spread geographically, it also diversified to suit local traditions of worship.

It now takes several forms, from the ascetic to the highly ritualized.

BRANCHES OF BUDDHISM

THERAVADA BUDDHISM

6th century BCE, Northern India

Theravada Buddhism is, with

Mahayana Buddhism, one of the

two main forms of Buddhism.

The oldest surviving branch

of Buddhism, it is generally

considered the form closest to the

dhamma—the original teachings

of Buddha. It is practiced today

in Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and

Burma. Central to Theravada is the

concept of the sangha or monastic

community. Theravada monks

(and sometimes nuns, although

they have a lesser status) have

few possessions and live in basic

accommodation. They follow

the Eightfold Path and the Five

Precepts (pp.136–43), travel

around villages, and teach the

dhamma and the scriptures of the

Pali Canon. Their most important

activity is meditation, which

they practice to empty their

minds of the self and move closer

to nirvana (perfect enlightenment).

Although a full-time monastic

existence is the ideal, there is also

a place in Theravada Buddhism for

lay people. They play an important

their compassion, six perfections:

generosity, morality, patience, vigor,

meditation, and wisdom.

PURE LAND BUDDHISM

7th century CE, China

Arising in China out of the

Mahayana tradition, Pure Land

Buddhism now consists of several

sects based in China and Japan.

All are centered on devotion to

Amitabha, the Buddha of Infinite

Light, said to rule a paradise

known as the Pure Land. By means

of various spiritual techniques

focused on Amitabha, the faithful

may avoid the cycle of death and

rebirth, go to dwell with him in the

Pure Land, and thereafter achieve

enlightenment. The main Pure Land

text is the 1st-century Lotus Sutra,

which states that devotion to

Amitabha is the one true way.

TIBETAN BUDDHISM

7th century, Tibet

Buddhism was introduced to Tibet

by Indian missionaries in around

the 7th century CE. Although

auxiliary role in helping to sustain

the monks in their pursuit of an

ascetic way of life; for example,

supplying them with food in return

for blessings and teachings.

MAHAYANA BUDDHISM

3rd–2nd century BCE,

Northwestern India

Mahayana Buddhism, which, with

Theravada Buddhism, is one of the

two main forms of Buddhism, spread

eastward from India and is today

practiced in large areas of Asia,

including China and Korea. Unlike

Theravada Buddhists, who believe

that total enlightenment represents

a departure from this existence,

adherents of Mahayana Buddhism

believe that Buddha has remained

eternally present in this world,

guiding others to enlightenment. In

this tradition, there is no purpose to

enlightenment unless it is used to

assist other people on their spiritual

path. Mahayana Buddhists believe

other people may become buddhas,

and revere those who have come

close to nirvana as bodhisattvas

(wisdom or enlightenment beings),

and who possess, in addition to