Comments on: Types of Buddhism

By: Thomas

Thomas — Fri, 26 Jan 2007 21:18:22 +0000

Joshua Zader has given a most adequate answer on Buddhism, and a type of Meditation, emphsizing that certain sects of Buddhism believe a little differently and according to the beliefs, have one or possibly more than one type of Meditation with that particular sect of
Buddhism.

I must choose a sect of Buddhism, whether Zen,
Theravaden, Mahayana, etc. Buddhism, then search and discover the various Meditations, and Meditative techniques with the Buddhist Sect of my choice.

Thank You.

By: Joshua Zader

Joshua Zader — Tue, 25 Apr 2006 17:29:21 +0000

Grace,

Sorry to hear I confused you. Which parts were confusing?

Perhaps I should have someone more knowledgeable look this over and correct any mistakes I’ve made.

Joshua

By: Grace Moore

Grace Moore — Tue, 25 Apr 2006 05:29:25 +0000

My name is Grace Moore, and im a 14 year-old from New Zealand.
Can I say that your comments confused me to say the least!
I am doing research assignment for school and was asked to research the different types of Buddhism.
Why did you have to confuse me with your arguements??!!
The rest of your site is good though!!!!!!

By: Joshua Zader

Joshua Zader — Thu, 13 May 2004 22:05:03 +0000

Tom,

I have no doubt that my understanding of Buddhism is inferior to that of people who have studied it for many years. Your arrogant tone does little to inspire my thirst for dialogue, however; it makes me wonder whether you practice Buddhism or spout it.

Perhaps you’d like to start anew and be less condescending? I would welcome it. Mudita Forum would be the perfect place to do so, and I can assure you that you’ll find some fresh, interested minds with which to interact.

Joshua

By: Tom Armstrong

Tom Armstrong — Thu, 13 May 2004 19:44:18 +0000

Sigh. I am sorry to say that your report on the various types of Buddhism is more than a little confused, but that is to be expected from someone looking at the religion from an Objectivist’s viewpoint.

Buddhist is a spiritual quest; I believe this is something that Ayn Rand views as illusory. In many ways, one can think of Objectivism and Buddhism as opposites, and even in opposition.

Buddhism is univeralist while Objectivism is individualist. In Buddhism one realizes One Mind — something that is foreign and even absurd to an Objectivist.

The different strains of Buddhism represent different approaches to what is really very much the same goal. Somes strains are more rigorous; some have a lot of myth and hooey attached to them. IMHO, Zen and Ch’an are more straightforward and commonsensical. But even with Zen/Ch’an there are traditions and rituals that one learns to transcend.

Today, all the strains of Buddhism have flowed across the world’s political borders. It is hard to pull them apart. It is just as well; they have intermingled and influenced each other from the very beginning.

By: JenBen

JenBen — Mon, 12 Apr 2004 17:45:58 +0000

Actually, Tibetan Buddhism is also known as Vajrayana…or lightning bolt. While its roots may be in Mahayana, it is very much its own beast and is considered the 3rd major branch of Buddhism. Vajrayana is considered a faster route to enlightenmentand s highly ritualized, using many ritual objects. Vajrayana is the only Buddhism that believes you can become enlightened in a single lifetime. Milarepa did this after starting his life as a mercenary.

Zen Buddhism is actually strictly Japanese. The word Zen comes from a mis-translation of the Chinese word Chan so Chan Buddhism is directly related to Zen Buddhism and both are a mis-translation of the sanskrit word dhyana which means meditation.

Just an FYI…