what is the oldest form of buddhism

Which is older Buddhism or Christianity?

The history of Buddhism goes back to what is now Bodh Gaya, India almost six centuries before Christianity, making it one of the oldest religions still being practiced. The origins of Christianity go back to Roman Judea in the early first century.

What was the first religion to exist?

What Was The First Religion After Judaism? As a religious tradition once in place of Persia, Zoroastrianism is considered the oldest living religion that still exists today – with lessons older than Buddhism, Jewish and Christian teachings, and even further elder than Islam and Christianity.

What is the oldest active religion?

8 Oldest Religions in the World

1. Hinduism (Circa 7,000 BCE)
2. Judaism (Circa 2,000 BCE)
3. Zoroastrianism (Circa 1,500 BCE)
4. Shinto (Circa 700 BCE)
5. Buddhism (Circa 600 BCE)
6. Jainism (Circa 600 BCE)
7. Confucianism (Circa 600 BCE)
8. Taoism (Circa 500 BCE)

What are the ancient religions?

The Pagan World: Ancient Religions before Christianity

1. Early Pagan Religion in Mesopotamia
2. The Rigveda and the Gods of Ancient India
3. State Religion in Ancient Egypt
4. From Myth to Religion: The Olympian Deities
5. Household and Local Gods in Ancient Greece
6. Feeding the Gods: Sacrificial Religion
7. Prayers, Vows, Divination, and Omens
8. Delphi and Other Greek Sanctuaries
9. Cults and Mystery Religions

More items...

Which is the oldest and new form of Buddhism?

Buddhism may have arrived as early as the 3rd or 2nd century BCE via India, or alternatively during the 1st or 2nd century from China. Whatever the case, Mahayana Buddhism had been established by the second century CE in Vietnam. By the 9th century, both Pure Land and Thien (Zen) were major Vietnamese Buddhist schools.

What are the 3 sects of Buddhism?

To clarify this complex movement of spiritual and religious thought and religious practice, it may help to understand the three main classifications of Buddhism to date: Theravada (also known as Hinayana, the vehicle of the Hearers), Mahayana, and Vajrayana.

Where was the older form of Buddhism more famous?

The older form of Buddhism Known as Theravada Buddhism was more popular in Sri Lanka, Thailand, Myanmar and other South East Asian countries including Indonesia.

What is the oldest Buddhist country?

Sri LankaSri Lanka is one of the oldest traditionally Buddhist countries. The island has been a centre of Buddhist scholarship and practices since the introduction of Buddhism in the third century BCE producing eminent scholars such as Buddhaghosa and preserving the vast Pāli Canon.

What type of Buddhism is Zen?

Zen Buddhism is a mixture of Indian Mahayana Buddhism and Taoism. It began in China, spread to Korea and Japan, and became very popular in the West from the mid 20th century. The essence of Zen is attempting to understand the meaning of life directly, without being misled by logical thought or language.

What type of Buddhist is the Dalai Lama?

Gelugpa traditionThe Dalai Lama belongs to the Gelugpa tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, which is the largest and most influential tradition in Tibet.

Which is world's oldest religion?

The word Hindu is an exonym, and while Hinduism has been called the oldest religion in the world, many practitioners refer to their religion as Sanātana Dharma (Sanskrit: सनातन धर्म, lit.

Was there Buddhism before Buddha?

Pre-sectarian Buddhism, also called early Buddhism, the earliest Buddhism, original Buddhism, and primitive Buddhism, is Buddhism as theorized to have existed before the various subsects of Buddhism came into being.

What are the 4 sects of Buddhism?

The main language of scriptural study in this tradition is classical Tibetan. Tibetan Buddhism has four major schools, namely Nyingma (c. 8th century), Kagyu (11th century), Sakya (1073), and Gelug (1409).

How many types of Buddhism are there?

There are two main groups of Buddhism: Mahayana Buddhism and Theravada Buddhism.

Who invented Buddhism?

Siddhartha GautamaSiddhartha Gautama, the founder of Buddhism who later became known as “the Buddha,” lived during the 5th century B.C. Gautama was born into a wealthy family as a prince in present-day Nepal. Although he had an easy life, Gautama was moved by suffering in the world.

Where is Buddhism originally from?

Buddhism arose in northeastern India sometime between the late 6th century and the early 4th century bce, a period of great social change and intense religious activity. There is disagreement among scholars about the dates of the Buddha's birth and death.

What are the 4 sects of Buddhism?

The main language of scriptural study in this tradition is classical Tibetan. Tibetan Buddhism has four major schools, namely Nyingma (c. 8th century), Kagyu (11th century), Sakya (1073), and Gelug (1409).

What are the two 2 major sects of Buddhism?

Buddhism today is divided into two major branches known to their respective followers as Theravada, the Way of the Elders, and Mahayana, the Great Vehicle.

What are 4 types of Buddhism?

With this in mind, it's possible to organize the different beliefs in an artificial way according to similarities and differences.Traditional Buddhism and modern Buddhism. ... Nikaya Buddhism. ... Mahayana. ... Vajrayana Buddhism.

What are the 2 sects of Buddhism?

Difference Between Mahayana and HinayanaUpon the death of Gautama Buddha in 400 BC, Buddhism divided into two sects: Mahayana and Hinayana.The Mahayana sect, which means 'Great Vehicle' in Sanskrit, believed in the divinity of the Buddha.More items...

What are the eightfold paths?

While the Noble Eightfold Path is best-known in the West, a wide variety of paths and models of progress have been used and described in the different Buddhist traditions. However, they generally share basic practices such as sila (ethics), samadhi (meditation, dhyana) and prajña (wisdom), which are known as the three trainings. An important additional practice is a kind and compassionate attitude toward every living being and the world. Devotion is also important in some Buddhist traditions, and in the Tibetan traditions visualisations of deities and mandalas are important. The value of textual study is regarded differently in the various Buddhist traditions. It is central to Theravada and highly important to Tibetan Buddhism, while the Zen tradition takes an ambiguous stance.

What is the third jewel of Buddhism?

The third "jewel" which Buddhists take refuge in is the "Sangha", which refers to the monastic community of monks and nuns who follow Gautama Buddha's monastic discipline which was "designed to shape the Sangha as an ideal community, with the optimum conditions for spiritual growth." The Sangha consists of those who have chosen to follow the Buddha's ideal way of life, which is one of celibate monastic renunciation with minimal material possessions (such as an alms bowl and robes).

What is the doctrine of anatt?

It is the view that there is no unchanging, permanent self, soul or essence in phenomena. The Buddha and Buddhist philosophers who follow him such as Vasubandhu and Buddhaghosa, generally argue for this view by analyzing the person through the schema of the five aggregates, and then attempting to show that none of these five components of personality can be permanent or absolute. This can be seen in Buddhist discourses such as the Anattalakkhana Sutta.

What is dependent origination?

Pratityasamutpada, also called "dependent arising, or dependent origination", is the Buddhist theory to explain the nature and relations of being, becoming, existence and ultimate reality. Buddhism asserts that there is nothing independent, except the state of nirvana. All physical and mental states depend on and arise from other pre-existing states, and in turn from them arise other dependent states while they cease.

What does Samsara mean in Buddhism?

Samsara in Buddhism is considered to be dukkha, unsatisfactory and painful, perpetuated by desire and avidya (ignorance), and the resulting karma.

How many people practice Buddhism?

Buddhism is practised by an estimated 488 million, 495 million, or 535 million people as of the 2010s, representing 7% to 8% of the world's total population.

What is the meaning of Buddhism?

The term "Buddhism" is an occidental neologism, commonly (and "rather roughly" according to Donald S. Lopez Jr.) used as a translation for the Dharma of the Buddha, fójiào in Chinese, bukkyō in Japanese, nang pa sangs rgyas pa'i chos in Tibetan, buddhadharma in Sanskrit, buddhaśāsana in Pali.

How do tantras help monks?

Tantric or traditional spiritual techniques are practiced in the belief that they will help the monks to meet enlightenment. The Vajrayana believe that the tantras can help them to reach Nirvana in a single lifetime. In this way, there is no need for several reincarnations. The main vehicle to enlightenment is prayer and meditation. Only those initiated into the religion are taught the tantras. Tantras are said to be difficult and even dangerous. The initiated are sworn to secrecy. This is why this school if Buddhism is shrouded in mystery. Not much is known about their practices.

What is Vajrayana Buddhism?

It is also known as Tantric Buddhism. Vajrayana Buddhism is often seen as another aspect of Mahayana Buddhism rather than a school of its own. It developed between 500 and 600 CE. It is a branch of Mahayana Buddhism, but it includes many rituals which define it as different.

How do Vajrayana Buddhists seek enlightenment?

Vajrayana Buddhists seek enlightenment in this lifetime. They do this through the direct experience of esoteric practices, meditation and by using magical energy. Esoteric rituals are practiced for the achievement of physical, mental and spiritual development. Many of the rituals are secret and initiates work closely with a guru to learn the traditions of the school.

How many Theravada monasteries are there?

Theravada monasteries are now found across Europe and North America. There are more than 100 million Theravada Buddhists around the globe. It is the most conservative form of Buddhism and the most orthodox. It has up to fifty sacred texts. Theravada Buddhists believe that only monks can reach Nirvana.

What was the name of the order of monks and nuns that Buddha started?

After Buddha died, his teachings were passed from one generation to the next by word of mouth. During his lifetime the Buddha started the Sangha, an order of monks and nuns that passed his teachings to others. The Sangha still exists today.

What are the three main forms of Buddhism?

All three branches have their origins in India. The three main forms of Buddhism include: Theravada. Mahayana. Vajrayana. Zen Buddhism, which developed in Japan, is derived from Mahayana.

What does "Thus have I heard" mean?

The Buddha called his religion the Dhamma-Vinaya. This means the “doctrine and the discipline”. The Dhamma or truth is what he taught to people as a path to find release from suffering.

What is the history of Buddhism?

The history of Buddhism is also characterized by the development of numerous movements, schisms, and schools, among them the Theravāda, Mahāyāna and Vajrayāna traditions, with contrasting periods of expansion and retreat.

What are the three arrows in Buddhism?

Mahāyāna (red arrow), Theravāda (green arrow), and Tantric - Vajrayāna (blue arrow). The overland and maritime "Silk Roads" were interlinked and complementary, forming what scholars have called the "great circle of Buddhism". Part of a series on.

What was the Kushan Empire?

The Kushan empire (30–375 CE) was formed by the invading Yuezhi nomads in the 1st century BCE. It eventually encompassed much of northern India, Pakistan and Afghanistan. The Kushans adopted elements of the Hellenistic culture of Bactria and the Indo-Greeks. During Kushan rule, Gandharan Buddhism was at the height of its influence and a significant number of Buddhist centers were built or renovated.

Where were the stupas built?

During his reign, stupas and monasteries were built in the Gandhāran city of Peshawar (Skt. Purusapura ), which he used as a capital. Kushan royal support and the opening of trade routes allowed Gandharan Buddhism to spread along the Silk Road to Central Asia, the Tarim Basin and thus to China.

How did India influence Southeast Asia?

Since around 500 BCE, the culture of India has exerted influence on Southeast Asian countries. Land and maritime trade routes linked India with the region and both Hindu and Buddhist beliefs became influential there during the period of the Indianization of Southeast Asia. For more than a thousand years, Indian influence was, therefore, the major factor that brought a certain level of cultural unity to the various countries of the region. The Pāli and Sanskrit languages and Indian scripts, together with Theravāda and Mahāyāna Buddhism, Brahmanism, and Hinduism, were transmitted from direct contact and through sacred texts and Indian literature such as the Rāmāyaṇa and the Mahābhārata.

What was the main trade route in Central Asia?

Central Asia was home to the international trade route known as the Silk Road , which carried goods between China, India, the Middle East and the Mediterranean world. Buddhism was present in this region from about the second-century BCE. Initially, the Dharmaguptaka school was the most successful in their efforts to spread Buddhism in Central Asia. The Kingdom of Khotan was one of the earliest Buddhist kingdoms in the area and helped transmit Buddhism from India to China.

Where did Buddhism decline after the Hephthalite Empire?

However it continued to thrive in adjacent areas like the Swat Valley of Pakistan, Gilgit, Kashmir and in Afghanistan (in sites such as Bamiyan ).

How did Gautama find enlightenment?

After six years of searching, Buddhists believe Gautama found enlightenment while meditating under a Bodhi tree. He spent the rest of his life teaching others about how to achieve this spiritual state.

How many followers does Buddhism have?

Contents. Buddhism is a faith that was founded by Siddhartha Gautama (“the Buddha”) more than 2,500 years ago in India. With about 470 million followers, scholars consider Buddhism one of the major world religions.

Why do Buddhists meditate?

Buddhists often meditate because they believe it helps awaken truth. There are many philosophies and interpretations within Buddhism, making it a tolerant and evolving religion. Some scholars don’t recognize Buddhism as an organized religion, but rather, a “way of life” or a “spiritual tradition.”.

What did Buddha teach his followers?

The Buddha taught his followers that the end of suffering, as described in the fourth Noble Truths, could be achieved by following an Eightfold Path.

What is the most important teaching of Buddhism?

Buddha’s most important teachings, known as The Four Noble Truths, are essential to understanding the religion . Buddhists embrace the concepts of karma (the law of cause and effect) and reincarnation (the continuous cycle of rebirth).

What do Buddhists revere?

Buddhists revere many sacred texts and scriptures. Some of the most important are:

What did Buddha teach?

Buddha’s teachings are known as “dharma.” He taught that wisdom, kindness, patience, generosity and compassion were important virtues.

What was the rift between Mahasanghika and Sthaviravada?

By the time of Ashoka's reign, the rift between Sthaviravada and Mahasanghika had grown large enough that the history of Buddhism splits into two very different versions of the Third Buddhist Council.

What is the Arhat in Buddhism?

An arhat (Sanskrit) or arahant (Pali) is a person who has realized enlightenment and may enter Nirvana. In the Sthaviravada school, an arhat is the ideal of Buddhist practice.

What is the name of the school that adhered to the Pali Canon?

Sthaviravada: "Sthaviravada" is Sanskrit for "the Way of the Elders.". The Sthaviavada school was conservative, adhering closely to the teachings and rules of the Pali Canon. The school lives today in parts of Asia by its Pali name, Theravada. Mahasanghika: This school probably is a forerunner of Mahayana Buddhism.

Why was the Third Buddhist Council called?

In the Sthaviravada version of history, the Third Buddhist Council was called by Emperor Ashoka about 244 BCE to stop the spread of heresies. After this Council completed its work the monk Mahinda, thought to be a son of Ashoka, took the body of doctrine agreed upon by the Council into Sri Lanka, where it flourished.

Why is Mahayana called Mahayana?

Theravada was derided as "Hinayana," or the "lesser vehicle." The names point to the distinction between Theravada's emphasis on individual enlightenment and the Mahayana ideal of the enlightenment of all beings. The name "Hinayana" is generally considered to be a pejorative.

What were the possessions of the Buddha?

These monks and nuns did not live in monasteries. Instead, they were homeless, wandering through forests and villages, begging for food, sleeping under the trees. The only possessions monks were allowed to keep were three robes, one alms bowl, one razor, one needle, and one water strainer.

Which two doctrinal divisions of Buddhism are dominant?

Today, Theravada and Mahayana remain the two primary doctrinal divisions of Buddhism. Theravada for centuries has been the dominant form of Buddhism in Sri Lanka, Thailand, Cambodia, Burma (Myanmar) and Laos. Mahayana is dominant in China, Japan, Taiwan, Tibet, Nepal, Mongolia, Korea, India, and Vietnam .

What are the three baskets of Buddhist writings?

Buddhist sacred writings are divided into three types, collectively called the tripitaka, or “three baskets”: the “basket of discipline” (vinaya), the “basket of discourses” (sutras), and the “basket of further teachings” (abhidharma). The second of these, the sutras, is the largest and most important. Sutras (in the Sanskrit version) or suttas (in the Pali language) are purported to be records of talks or sermons given by the Buddha in a variety of settings.

What do the sutras say?

Sutras are readily recognizable by their initial lines; they always begin with the same phrases: “Thus have I heard. At one time the Buddha was resident in such and such a location and was in the company of this or that group of people.” Then they tell us what the Buddha taught those people on that occasion. The one who witnessed these gatherings and who later communicated what the Buddha had to say was Ananda, the Buddha’s cousin and closest disciple.

What was the custom at the time of the Buddha?

It is important to recognize, however, that the custom at that time was for religious and philosophical teachings to be communicated in verbal rather than written form. What was remembered on these occasions was memorized by monks and nuns, taught to others, and then passed down to another generation of monastic memorizers. Although it is probable that some of these were written over the subsequent centuries, the Buddhist canon of sutras as a whole wasn’t recorded in writing until the first century BCE, several hundred years after the death of the Buddha. No doubt some of these texts were altered over time; various cultural accommodations and other “improvements” would probably have been introduced without anyone noticing. The sutras do display consistency in their teachings and are written in a distinctive style, and we know that the standards for accuracy in memorization at that time were very high. Nevertheless, it is easy to see that strong historical claims about what the Buddha really said on some particular occasion almost two and a half millennia ago would be difficult to justify. Although perhaps important to intellectuals today, these issues of historical authenticity had no substantial bearing on the fundamental influence that Buddhist sutras have had on the tradition.

When did Buddha die?

Although the traditional dates for the life of the Buddha are 566–486 BCE, or 563–483 BCE, depending on which tradition we consult, historians today tend to agree that the Buddha’s life occupied the middle of the fifth century BCE, and his death occurred sometime before 400 BCE Reliable historical evidence for any theory attempting to date the life of the Buddha is scarce, however. What is certain is that Buddhism began in northeastern India over four centuries before the advent of Christianity and gradually spread throughout South Asia, Central Asia, East Asia, and Southeast Asia to become one of the most successful of all the world’s religions.

Where did Buddhism originate?

Founded by Siddhartha Gautama, the religion has spread from its origins in northeast India, across the world, taking on new forms at each step of the way. The below questions are edited from Dale S. Wright’s Buddhism: What Everyone Needs to Know .

Who is the founder of Buddhism?

Like Christianity and Islam, the last two of the five major world religions to emerge, Buddhism has an identifiable founder, Siddhartha Gautama, who came to be called the Buddha. Gautama was born in a village in the low Himalayan foothills of northeastern India — today just across the border into Nepal. When he came of age, however, Gautama set out on a religious quest, traveling on foot across the broad plain of the Ganges River in search of the most famous spiritual teachers of the time. Six years later, upon his attainment of enlightenment at Bodh Gaya, not far from the sacred city of Benares (Varanasi), Gautama became the Buddha, meaning the Enlightened One, thus initiating the long tenure of the Buddhist tradition.

What is the goal of Mahayana Buddhism?

The goal of Mahayana Buddhism is to open up the possibility of becoming a Buddha to everyone. They interpret the Buddha as a transcendent figure who all could aspire to become. Mahayana’s teachings and meditations aim to gradually increase compassion and wisdom.

What is the aim of Theravada Buddhism?

The aim of Theravada Buddhism is to become a fully awakened being through the help of contemplation of sutras , and following the Buddha’s Noble Eightfold Path: right vision, right emotion, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, right meditation.

What is pure land Buddhism?

Pure Land Buddhism. Pure Land Buddhism focuses on the veneration of Amitābha Buddha, a celestial buddha representing pure perception and a deep awareness of emptiness. Pure Land developed out of the Mahayana Buddhist tradition.

How long did the Buddha teach?

But, the truth is that he is the head of one of four major schools in Tibetan Buddhism, and the titular head of the Tibetan people. In his 45-year teaching career, the Buddha taught to a wide variety of people. After his death, his teachings spread to different Asian lands and cultures.

What is the most popular branch of Buddhism?

Mahayana Buddhism is the most popular branch of Buddhism today especially in Nepal, Japan, China, Tibet, and Korea. Mahayana means “Great Vehicle” in Sanskrit as a reference to the teaching of the bodhisattva, a person who has become awakened.

What did the followers of Buddhism believe?

The followers believed that achieving the liberation of nirvana through a life of monastic austerity is very difficult for most people. So, they rejected the “self-effort” emphasized by the early Buddhist teachings.

Why is Vajrayana so special?

Vajrayana is one of the most unique types of Buddhism. It is special because of its approach to rapid Enlightenment through the use of tantras. And because of the intense application needed for many Vajrayana Buddhist practices, they only accept advanced teachers and students.

What is the fourth deviation of Buddhism?

However, the fifth form is a deviation that has gone too far, that of the distortion of Buddhism into a cult. this deviated form has appeared in the last thirty to forty years.

How are cults exploiting Buddhism?

In the name of Buddhism, they take advantage of the weaknesses of human nature, creating chaos by cheating, and misleading people, endangering the safety of the public. Some of their propaganda and deeds can sound extremely enticing and appealing. However, if we join their activities, which doom us to ruin, by the time we realize our mistake, the damage will have already been done. It will then be too late to regret. Therefore, we need to choose wisely which form to practice in order to receive the true benefits.

What is the first form of Buddhism?

The first form is the traditional Buddhism I have just discussed. It is the education of the Buddha's teachings. This original form is rarely seen today. The other four forms are deviations of this one.

How many hours did monks spend studying?

Since the monks and nuns spent sixteen hours a day on study and cultivation, there was little time for discriminating or wandering thoughts and so achievement could be attained relatively quickly.

Is Buddhism a third form?

The third form is philosophical or academic Buddhism often found as a course in college. This is appropriate. Why? Buddhist education is a complete university in itself, including all branches of learning. But now it is reduced to merely a philosophical discipline. Regarding it as such, we miss the importance of the fact that the teachings are a necessity for all sentient beings.

Is Buddhism a religion?

The second form is religious Buddhism. Although originally not a religion, it has become one in the past few hundred years. Today, it is difficult to deny this. Why? The external form of Buddhism today is indeed that of a religion. It is no longer the education found in a traditional way place where cultivators had up to sixteen hours a day for both lessons and cultivation. The lessons included listening to lectures and discussions. The cultivation session included either Buddha-name chanting or sitting meditation. Study and cultivation were used hand in hand to strive for the right and proper understanding and practice, to purify practitioner's minds and to eventually attain the state of enlightenment.

Is Buddhism an academic field?

Buddhism's scope is broad and profound and regarding it as merely an academic field of study is frankly, another deviation. These two forms cause no harm to society. Religions try to encourage people to be good. Philosophy strives to pursue truth and to gain knowledge.

Overview

History

Life of the Buddha

Worldview

Paths to liberation

Common Buddhist practices

Buddhist texts

Schools and traditions

Overview

Kushan empire and Gandharan Buddhism

Life of the Buddha

Mauryan empire (322–180 BCE)

Mahāyāna Buddhism

Shunga dynasty (2nd–1st century BCE)

Greco-Buddhism

Spread to Central Asia