Three Rafts to Crossing the River: Divisions of Buddhism

By: Jessica Bills, Amanda Elias, Laura Gonzalez, Caitlin Kelly, Esmeralda Martinez,

and Jennifer Villacis

February 12, 2015Period 6

The Quest for SalvationThe quest for salvation can be compared to the

crossing of a river. The river divides two realms:

Samsara- the ordinary world of the sufferingNirvana- final destiny of absolute peace

Buddhism can be divided into 3 great rafts: Theravada, also called Hinayana (the

Lesser Vehicle) Mahayana (The Great Vehicle) Vajrayana (the Vehicle of the Diamonds)

Theravada: “The Way of the Elders”Theravada follows the earliest texts and

agrees with the original teachings of the Buddha.

The Buddha –he who experienced enlightenment and

taught others how to do the samebeyond the reach of humans because he has

passed into the eternal peace of nirvanaTheravada focuses on cultivating wisdom

through knowing the Four Noble Truths, and practicing the Noble Eightfold Path.

Theravada continued…The final aim of Theravada Buddhists

is to enter nirvana, and those who succeed are arhats (like saints).

Theravada emphasizes meditation and monastic life Examples: monks and nuns In some regions, all males reside in a

monastery temporarily. Serving as a monk for at least 3

months is a vital step toward becoming an adult

Mahayana: The Great VehicleIt is the largest division of Buddhism claiming

over half the world’s Buddhists. Assert themselves as somewhat superior over

the Theravada Buddhists (the Lesser Vehicle) Mahayana Buddhism is for the masses.

It focuses on the Buddha himself, celebrating him as a divine savior.

It offers salvation though the infinite grace of the Buddha.

It recognizes not only Gautama the Buddha, but the salvific grace of all Buddha’s of the past.

Mahayana continued…

It reveres bodhisattvas which are Buddhas in the making that are dedicated to attaining enlightenment. Stops short of nirvana in order to help others achieve it. They exist beyond the earthly realm and are believed to

live in one of the Buddhist heavens. They are believed to transfer merit of the karma to their

followers. On occasion they appear in the world as human beings. They embody compassion, which is the supreme virtue

which is regarded more than wisdom.

Vajrayana: Tibetan Buddhism The relative intensity of Vajrayana is

manifested in the common belief that its adherents can attain nirvana in this lifetime, here and now.

Vajrayana Buddhism- Consists of a small minority of Buddhists

but maintains a special interest due to its homeland in Tibet (endured much religious persecution)

Teaches “to fight fire with fire” as in using energy and turning it against itself to reach nirvana

Vajrayana continued…Prominent practices to propel

an individual toward enlightenmentMandalas: patterned icons

that visually exciteMudras: choreographed

hand movements that draw on the energies of movement

Mantras: resonating chants that harness the spiritual potency of sound Together all three invoke

sight, movement, and sound capitalizing on the sensual energies

Vajrayana continued… Another unique practice

involves the harnessing of one’s basic energies: sexuality Vajrayana Buddhists

regard sex as a potent energy for furthering spiritual progress

Engage in ritualized sex through carefully guarded set of practices known as Tantrism Sex is regulated by

masters and is undertaken solely to enhance spiritual energies

An important feature includes the institution of lamas, a hierarchy of clergy headed by the Dalai Lama Hierarchy is not based by

descent of natural birth, but by rebirth

Whenever a Dalai Lama dies, the successor is sought through supernatural or mundane means

The Enduring Wisdom of BuddhaAll “rafts” of

Buddhism ultimately lead followers into nirvana.

Nirvana-The ultimate goal of

all BuddhistsBeyond every

experience on lifeBeyond Buddhism

itself

Enduring Wisdom continued…

The “raft” that transported Buddhists across the river to the shore of salvation must be abandoned in order for the journey to be complete. Thus, Buddhism is paradoxical.

Buddhism focuses on the spiritual condition of the human being, not on the supremacy of a divinity. It denies the existence of a self, or soul

Buddhism relies on features of the modern scientific view of life. Modern scientific theory has much in close agreement

with Gautama the Buddha’s observations about the universe.

Enduring Wisdom continued…The Buddha was a skilled physician

Proceeded scientificallyInvestigated what is to be human

Buddha came to the conclusion that people suffer.A life of moderation (the Middle Way

Doctrine) helps to alleviate suffering. Meditation, the Buddha’s favored method of

therapy, also nurtures the wisdom that leads followers to transcendence.