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Sri Lanka Monk in saffron robe |
Monks Protesting outside a Pagoda in Yangon, Myanmar |
Three Schools of Buddhism
All follow the Triple Jewels: Dharma, Sangha and Buddha - the Four Great Noble Truths - the Eightfold Path
Theravada - "Way of the Elders" (Hinayana - "Lesser Vehicle") - oldest school - Given samsara, each person is on long cycle of reincarnation and only a few are close to Nirvana - so laity focus on assistance to the monks (only men) - Monks live in poverty and charity from laity (who improve chances of samsara by acts of compassion and charity) and monks emphasize mediation, i.e., samatha - The Buddha is an enlightened historical man - In Sri Lanka, Myanmar (Burma), Thailand, Cambodia, Laos.
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Sri Lanka Monk in saffron robe |
Monks Protesting outside a Pagoda in Yangon, Myanmar |
Mahayana - "Greater Vehicle" - focus on Bodhisattvas (reincarnation of the Buddha) and instead of only a few on the raft, don't cross over until assist all sentient beings, the masses, onto the raft together, in reaching Nirvana - Acknowledge many Gods and Demons in a pantheon of deities - The Buddha is a miracle worker albeit personal savior - in China, Korea, Japan and Vietnam
Bodhisattvas and the example of Chenrezig - and the mantra: Om Mani Pedme Hum
Zen Buddhist Koan and Art In the United States, the dominant form of Buddhism followed is Zen, first introduced by Suzuki (1870-1966). Alan Watts, Allen Ginsberg, Aldous Huxley, Arnold Toynbee, Carl Jung, Gary Snyder, Jack Kerouac, Thomas Merton, Phil Jackson (basketball coach -Sacred Hoops)
Chinese Monk in brown robe
Zen Japanese Monk in black robe
Vijrayana - "Diamond Vehicle" - embracing many elements of Mahayana (Bodhisattvas and assisting the masses), but also offers enlightenment during one's own lifetime, in Tibet and Japan.
Bhavacakra - Wheel of Becoming/Wheel of Life
Tibetan Hymns, Prayer Wheels, and Mantras
Tibetan Monk in red robes
return to Landscape and continue on the yana at mid-river
