Gautama (the first bodhisattva) was the first to discover nirvana. In Mahayana Buddhism,
bodhisattva refers to one who delays reaching nirvana in order to help others reach nirvana.
In Theravada Buddhism, bodhisattva refers to one on the path to becoming a Buddha Today Buddhism is a family of religions
-Theravada Buddhism–the Buddhism most closely following Gautama–is found mostly in Sri Lanka, Burma, and Southeast Asia. Religion is a full-time occupation primarily for monks.
-Mahayana Buddhism- the great vehicle. Mahayana Buddhism holds that anyone who trusts in a bodhisattva may reach nirvana. This religion emphasizes faith in Buddha. Mahayana
holds Buddha as eternal, as truth. It is found in China, Korea, Japan, and Vietnam.
a.
Nichiren Shoshu Buddhism is a branch of Mahayana. Originated in the 13 th century BC, this faith is based
upon the teaching of Dengyo Diashi ( Japan, 8 th Century)–who held only one Scripture is of supreme authority–The Lotus Sutra. The chief object of worship is a shrine known as the Dai-Gohonzon located at the base of Mount Fuji in Japan. This sect was revived by one man–Nichiren Shoshu–in 1945, and grew to over 16 million adherents by 1970! The members evangelize this one true religion with the aim of converting the world–“by force if necessary
b.
Zen Buddhism is a branch of Mahayana Buddhism. Zen has no sacred scriptures, but employs any writings–Buddhist or not. Zen developed about 500 AD. and emphasizes meditation to understand the infinite and to achieve enlightenment.
Zen encourages intuition, not logic. Zen encourages one to avoid evaluating information, whereas Christianity teaches one to test all things (1 Thessalonians 5:21-22).
c.
Shingon: Japanese Buddhist Sect–magical and estoeric in nature, initiates a practitioner
into the mysteries of Word (mantra) Act (mutra) Thought (manas)
This sect originated in Tantrism, dating prior to the 7 th century AD.
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