Buddhism is not classified among other religions, according to hierarchies of power, whose summit is placed in the figure of a person who houses the wisdom of sacred texts, however, we can find different schools, branches or types of Buddhism.
Is Buddhism really a religion—although it does not quite conform to the formal definition of the term—as philosophical doctrine. The set of traditions, beliefs and practices is a behavior shared between 200 and 1400 people called Buddhists. Like other types of Eastern practices, the practice of some of his doctrines has become popular in the West.
- Buddhism.
- Which emerged in India between the 6th and 4th centuries BC.
- Is the fourth religion in the world in terms of the number of faithful.
- Some attribute it to two main ramifications: Therevada (or School of Elders) and Mahayana (Good Way).
- Although they are diverse and there is no consensus.
For Buddhism, Buddhist scriptures are studied, their sacred texts, the objective is to cultivate wisdom, practice meditation, renounce material things, promote kindness and compassion, among others.
There are monastic variants of Buddhist practices, but most people who belong to this religion practice it less intensely; however, the philosophical principles of Buddhism are shared throughout the community.
The understanding of Buddhism is holistic: the teachings of this practice are interdependent and composed of each other. In turn, it is noted that these teachings are only a guide to the Dharma (“Things as They Are”, in Sanskrit).
Apart from the classification criteria, we can find different ways to practice Buddhism. Depending on the number of practitioners, the three main branches of Buddhism are the mah? IS IT? Na, the hev? Da and the vajray? Na. However, when looking for another type of classification, Buddhism appears to be highly decentralized.
It is somewhat inaccurate to speak of “types of Buddhism” because the variants of buddhism coincide at any given time in several respects, such as the historical starting point of the doctrine. Different teachings come and go in a way that makes classification difficult. this fact, it is possible to artificially organize different beliefs, depending on affinities and differences.
The first classification we can make is about the origin of the practice. While traditional or original Buddhism is a set of ancient beliefs, traditions and practices, there are modern interpretations of this system.
According to this classification, there are 19 types of Buddhism, 19 nik schools?Already. C is the name by which the first schools of Buddhism are designated. Of these 19, only Thereva da Buddhism survived. This branch of Buddhism is identified as true sutras. the contents of the Canon P? Li, a set of sacred texts.
Introspection plays an important role in Therea Buddhism. Individual experience and critical reasoning are opposed in this introspection to blind faith, with the aim of liberating and attaining nirvana.
If we look at the mah branch? Na of Buddhism, the classification of its types is different. As we have seen, this is one of the three main ramifications of this set of beliefs. Unlike Buddhism, does it exist? Da, teachings are more of a guide than a doctrine, with the aim of revealing truth, through criticism and reasoning, questioning the theories of the past.
It could be compared to the scientific method. It also departs from Therev Buddhism from the acceptance of other types of sutras.
Among the types of Buddhism, is it? Na, there is, for example, Zen Buddhism, which seeks the experience of wisdom, moving away from theoretical and intellectual knowledge.
Also called “Tibetan Buddhism”, it developed in the Himalayan mountain range and is the main religion in Bhutan and Mongolia. If you look at this type of Buddhism, we will find four schools:
Divided into more or less types, Buddhism has inspired one of the main currents of thought that survive in a world that moves faster and faster, looking further out and less inward.