The major Buddhist Schools
Regarding Buddhist practices today one may find three approaches: the sectarian approach of different Buddhist schools; the fundamentalist approach emphasizing what Buddha said; and encyclopedic approach stressing the facts of Buddhist practices and covering innumerable canonical as well as non-canonical works (Sangharakshita, 1967, 47-51). There are some common ideas, however. To quote Coomaraswamy (1916, 81):
The whole of the doctrine (dhamma, Sanskrit dharma) of Gautama is simply and briefly capitulated in the Four Aryan Truths (Ariyasaccani) or axioms: That there is suffering (Dukkha), that it has a cause (Samudaya), that it can be suppressed (Nirodha), and that there is a way to accomplish this (Magga), the ‘Path.’ |
The Buddhists are divided into two main sects, called The Hinayana (‘The Little Raft) and The Mahyana (‘The Great Raft’). The former represents the original teachings of Buddha which are contained in Pali, and the latter represents further additions and interpretations (all written in Sanskrit). While The Hinayana is more rationalistic, monastic and puritanical, The Mahayan is more mystical, theological and devotional. Impact of the Hinayana is more evident in Sri Lanka and Myanmar and the impact of the Mahayana is more found in Japan, Nepal, China and the northern India. When Ambedkar asked people to convert to Bhuddhism he argued that Buddhism was the most rational of all religions. He also added that there may be certain irrational ideas in Buddhism but they could not be attributed to Buddha as he was a rational person. By saying this, he purged Buddhism of all things that could be considered irrational. Yet, it may be noted that in a few Buddhist countries there is a ban on the writings of Dr. Ambedkar, the main reason being that Buddhism does not permit vehement arguments against any other religion.
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