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{{short description|Institutional and doctrinal divisions of Buddhism}}{{buddhism}}File:Buddhika Sanjeewa - WFB - The World Fellowship of Buddhists 27th General Conference at Baoji, Beijing, China. - 03.jpg|thumb|Representatives from the three major modern Buddhist traditions, at the World Fellowship of BuddhistsWorld Fellowship of BuddhistsThe schools of Buddhism are the various institutional and doctrinal divisions of Buddhism that have existed from ancient times up to the present. The classification and nature of various doctrinal, philosophical or cultural facets of the schools of Buddhism is vague and has been interpreted in many different ways, often due to the sheer number (perhaps thousands) of different sects, subsects, movements, etc. that have made up or currently make up the whole of Buddhist traditions. The sectarian and conceptual divisions of Buddhist thought are part of the modern framework of Buddhist studies, as well as comparative religion in Asia.From a largely English-language standpoint, and to some extent in most of Western academia, Buddhism is separated into two groups: Theravāda ({{literally}} ‘the Teaching of the Elders’ or ‘the Ancient Teaching’), and Mahāyāna ({{literally}} ‘the Great Vehicle’). The most common classification among scholars is threefold: Theravāda, Mahāyāna and Vajrayāna.

Classifications

File:Buddhism percent population in each nation World Map Buddhist data by Pew Research.svg|thumb|Percentage of Buddhists by country, according to the Pew Research CenterPew Research CenterIn contemporary Buddhist studies, modern Buddhism is often divided into three major branches, traditions or categories:Lee Worth Bailey, Emily Taitz (2005), Introduction to the World’s Major Religions: Buddhism, Greenwood Publishing Group, p. 67.Mitchell, Scott A. (2016), Buddhism in America: Global Religion, Local Contexts, Bloomsbury Publishing, p. 87.Gethin, Rupert, The Foundations of Buddhism, Oxford University Press, pp. 253–266.William H. Swatos (ed.) (1998) Encyclopedia of Religion and Society, Altamira Press, p. 66.

• Theravāda (“Teaching of the Elders“), also called “Southern Buddhism”, mainly dominant in Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia. This tradition generally focuses on the study of its main textual collection, the Pali Canon as well as other forms of Pali literature. The Pali language is thus its lingua franca and sacred language. This tradition is sometimes denominated as a part of Nikaya Buddhism, referring to the conservative Buddhist traditions in India who did not accept the Mahayana sutras into their Tripitaka collection of scriptures. It is also sometimes seen as the only surviving school out of the Early Buddhist schools, being derived from the Sthavira Nikāya via the Sri Lankan Mahavihara tradition.
• East Asian Mahāyāna (“Great Vehicle“), East Asian Buddhism or “Eastern Buddhism”, prominent in East Asia and derived from the Chinese Buddhist traditions which began to develop during the Han Dynasty. This tradition focuses on the teachings found in Mahāyāna sutras (which are not considered canonical or authoritative in Theravāda), preserved in the Chinese Buddhist Canon, in the classical Chinese language. There are many schools and traditions, with different texts and focuses, such as Zen (Chan) and Pure Land (see below).
• Vajrayāna (”Vajra Vehicle“), also known as Mantrayāna, Tantric Buddhism and Esoteric Buddhism. This category is mostly represented in “Northern Buddhism”, also called “Indo-Tibetan Buddhism” (or just “Tibetan Buddhism“), but also overlaps with certain forms of East Asian Buddhism (see: Shingon). It is prominent in Tibet, Bhutan, Sikkim, and the Himalayan region as well as in Mongolia, Inner Mongolia, and the Russian republics of Buryatia, Kalmykia, and Tuva. It is sometimes considered to be a part of the broader category of Mahāyāna Buddhism instead of a separate tradition.{{Citation needed|date=July 2022}} The main texts of Indo-Tibetan Buddhism are contained in the Kanjur and the Tenjur. Besides the study of major Mahāyāna texts, this branch emphasizes the study of Buddhist tantric materials, mainly those related to the Buddhist tantras.

Another way of classifying the different forms of Buddhism is through the different monastic ordination traditions. There are three main traditions of monastic law (Vinaya) each corresponding to the first three categories outlined above:

• Theravāda Vinaya
• Dharmaguptaka Vinaya (East Asian Mahayana)
• MÅ«lasarvāstivāda Vinaya (Tibetan Buddhism)

Terminology

The terminology for the major divisions of Buddhism can be confusing, as Buddhism is variously divided by scholars and practitioners according to geographic, historical, and philosophical criteria, with different terms often being used in different contexts. The following terms may be encountered in descriptions of the major Buddhist divisions:

Conservative Buddhism: an alternative name for the early Buddhist schools.

Early Buddhist schools: the schools into which Buddhism became divided in its first few centuries; only one of these, Theravāda, survives as an independent school.

East Asian Buddhism: a term used by scholarsB & G, Gethin, R & J, P & K to cover the Buddhist traditions of Japan, Korea, Vietnam and most of China and Southeast Asia

Eastern Buddhism: an alternative name used by some scholarsPenguin, Harvey{{page needed|date=September 2010}}{{full citation needed|date=March 2021}} for East Asian Buddhism; also sometimes used to refer to all traditional forms of Buddhism, as distinct from Western(ized) forms.

Ekayāna (one yana): Mahayana texts such as the Lotus Sutra and the Avatamsaka Sutra sought to unite all the different teachings into a single great way. These texts serve as the inspiration for using the term Ekayāna in the sense of “one vehicle”. This “one vehicle” became a key aspect of the doctrines and practices of Tiantai and Tendai Buddhist sects, which subsequently influenced Chán and Zen doctrines and practices. In Japan, the one-vehicle teaching of the Lotus Sutra also is also a main doctrine of Nichiren Buddhist sects. The Lotus Sutra has so much influence that meditation was replaced by chanting the Japanese words Namu Myoho Renge Kyo (“The Way of the Lotus Sutra“) in religious practice.

Esoteric Buddhism: usually considered synonymous with “Vajrayāna”.Encyclopedia of Religion, vol. 2, p. 440. New York, NY: Macmillan. Some scholars have applied the term to certain practices found within the Theravāda, particularly in Cambodia.{{[}}no author cited{{]}} (1997). Indian Insights. London, UK: Luzac.{{page needed|date=September 2010}}{{full citation needed|date=March 2021}}

HÄ«nayāna: literally meaning “lesser vehicle”. It is considered a controversial term when applied by the Mahāyāna, to refer to the Theravāda school, and as such is widely viewed as condescending and pejorative.{{efn|Hinayana (literally, “inferior way“) is a polemical term, which self-described Mahāyāna (literally, “great way“) Buddhist literature uses to denigrate its opponents.BOOK, Encyclopedia of Buddhism, 2004, MacMillan Library Reference, 840, New York, NY, MacMillan, }} Moreover, HÄ«nayāna refers to the now non-extant schools with limited set of views, practices, and results, prior to the development of the Mahāyāna traditions. The term is currently most often used as a way of describing a stage on the path in Tibetan Buddhism, but is often mistakenly confused with the contemporary Theravāda tradition, which is far more complex, diversified, and profound, than the literal and limiting definition attributed to HÄ«nayāna.Ray, Reginald A (2000) Indestructible Truth: The Living Spirituality of Tibetan Buddhism, p. 240 Its use in scholarly publications is now also considered controversial.{{efn|“The supposed Mahayana-Hinayana dichotomy is so prevalent in Buddhist literature, that it has yet fully to loosen its hold over scholarly representations of the religion”.}}

Lamaism: synonymous with Tibetan Buddhism; an old term, sometimes still used, but widely considered derogatory.

Mahāyāna: a movement that emerged from early Buddhist schools, together with its later descendants, East Asian and Tibetan Buddhism. Vajrayāna traditions are sometimes listed separately. The main use of the term in East Asian and Tibetan traditions is in reference to spiritual levels,Penguin Handbook{{full citation needed|date=March 2021}}{{Page needed|date=September 2010}} regardless of school.

Mainstream Buddhism: a term used by some scholars for the early Buddhist schools.

Mantrayāna: usually considered synonymous with Vajrayāna.Harvey, pp. 153ff The Tendai school in Japan has been described as influenced by Mantrayana.

Navayāna: (“new vehicle“) refers to the re-interpretation of Buddhism by modern Indian jurist and social reformer B. R. Ambedkar.BOOK, Gary Tartakov, Rowena Robinson, Religious Conversion in India: Modes, Motivations, and Meanings,books.google.com/books?id=eNsoAAAAYAAJ, 2003, Oxford University Press, 978-0-19-566329-7, 192–213, BOOK, Christopher Queen, Steven M. Emmanuel, A Companion to Buddhist Philosophy,books.google.com/books?id=P_lmCgAAQBAJ, 2015, John Wiley & Sons, 978-1-119-14466-3, 524–525,

Newar Buddhism: a non-monastic, caste based Buddhism with patrilineal descent and Sanskrit texts.

Nikāya Buddhism: a non-derogatory substitute term for Hinayana or the early Buddhist schools.

Non-Mahāyāna: an alternative term for the early Buddhist schools.

Northern Buddhism: an alternative term used by some scholars{{Page needed|date=September 2010}} for Tibetan Buddhism. Also, an older term still sometimes used to encompass both East Asian and Tibetan traditions. It has even been used to refer to East Asian Buddhism alone, without Tibetan Buddhism.

Secret Mantra: an alternative rendering of Mantrayāna, a more literal translation of the term used by schools in Tibetan Buddhism when referring to themselves.Hopkins, Jeffrey (1985) The Ultimate Deity in Action Tantra and Jung’s Warning against Identifying with the Deity Buddhist-Christian Studies, Vol. 5, (1985), pp. 159–172

Sectarian Buddhism: an alternative name for the early Buddhist schools.

Southeast Asian Buddhism: an alternative name used by some scholarsR & J, P & K{{Page needed|date=September 2010}} for Theravāda.

Southern Buddhism: an alternative name used by some scholars{{Page needed|date=September 2010}} for Theravāda.

Śrāvakayāna: an alternative term sometimes used for the early Buddhist schools.

Tantrayāna or Tantric Buddhism: usually considered synonymous with “Vajrayāna”. However, one scholar describes the tantra divisions of some editions of the Tibetan scriptures as including Åšravakayāna, Mahāyāna and Vajrayāna textsSkilling, (1997). Mahasutras, volume II, Parts I & II, p. 78. Lancaster, UK: Pali Text Society (see Buddhist texts). Some scholars, particularly François Bizot,Crosby, Kate (2000). Tantric Theravada: A bibliographic essay on the writings of François Bizot and others on the yogvacara Tradition. [In] Contemporary Buddhism, 1:2, 141–198; doi:10.1080/14639940008573729. have used the term Tantric Theravada to refer to certain practices found particularly in Cambodia.

Theravāda: the Buddhism of Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Burma, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and parts of Vietnam, China, India, and Malaysia. It is the only surviving representative of the historical early Buddhist schools. The term Theravāda is also sometimes used to refer to all of the early Buddhist schools.Encyclopedia of Religion, volume 2, Macmillan, New York, 1987, pp. 440ff; Cambridge Dictionary of Philosophy, sv Buddhism

Tibetan Buddhism: usually understood as including the Buddhism of Tibet, Mongolia, Bhutan, and parts of China, India, and Russia, which follow the Tibetan tradition.

Vajrayāna: a movement that developed out of Indian Mahāyāna, together with its later descendants. There is some disagreement on exactly which traditions fall into this category. Tibetan Buddhism is universally recognized as falling under this heading; many also include the Japanese Shingon school. Some scholarsHarvey{{Page needed|date=September 2010}}{{full citation needed|date=March 2021}} also apply the term to the Korean milgyo tradition, which is not a separate school. One scholar says, “Despite the efforts of generations of Buddhist thinkers, it remains exceedingly difficult to identify precisely what it is that sets the Vajrayana apart.“Lopez, Buddhism in Practice, Princeton University Press, 1995, p. 6

File:SectarianBuddhistschools.png|270px|thumb|right|upright|Map of the major geographical centers of major Buddhist schools in South Asia, at around the time of Xuanzang’s visit in the seventh century.* Red: non-Pudgalavāda Sarvāstivāda school* Orange: non-Dharmaguptaka Vibhajyavāda schools* Yellow: Mahāsāṃghika* Green: Pudgalavāda (Green)* Gray: DharmaguptakaNote the red and grey schools already gave some original ideas of Mahayana Buddhism and the Sri Lankan section (see TamrashatiyaTamrashatiya

Early schools

{{See also|Pre-sectarian Buddhism}}The early Buddhist schools or mainstream sects refers to the sects into which the Indian Buddhist monastic saá¹…gha split. They are also called the Nikaya Buddhist schools, Ezhuthupally, and in Mahayana Buddhism they are referred to either as the Åšrāvaka (disciple) schools or Hinayana (inferior) schools.Most scholars now believe that the first schism was originally caused by differences in vinaya (monastic rule).BOOK, Harvey, Peter, 2013, An Introduction to Buddhism: Teachings, history, and practices, 2nd, Cambridge, UK, Cambridge University Press, {{rp|pages=88–90}} Later splits were also due to doctrinal differences and geographical separation.The first schism separated the community into two groups, the Sthavira (Elders) Nikaya and the Mahāsāṃghika (Great Community). Most scholars hold that this probably occurred after the time of Ashoka.BOOK, Cox, Collett, 1995, Disputed Dharmas: Early Buddhist theories on existence, Tokyo, JP, The Institute for Buddhist Studies, 23, 4-906267-36-X, Out of these two main groups later arose many other sects or schools.From the Sthaviras arose the Sarvāstivāda sects, the Vibhajyavādins, the Theravadins, the Dharmaguptakas and the Pudgalavāda sects.The Sarvāstivāda school, popular in northwest India and Kashmir, focused on Abhidharma teachings.Westerhoff, Jan (2018). The Golden Age of Indian Buddhist Philosophy in the First Millennium CE, pp. 60–61. Their name means “the theory that all exists” which refers to one of their main doctrines, the view that all dharmas exist in the past, present and in the future. This is an eternalist theory of time.Kalupahana, David (n/d). A history of Buddhist philosophy, continuities and discontinuities, p. 128. Over time, the Sarvāstivādins became divided into various traditions, mainly the Vaibhāṣika (who defended the orthodox “all exists” doctrine in their Abhidharma compendium called the Mahāvibhāṣa Śāstra), the Sautrāntika (who rejected the Vaibhāṣika orthodoxy) and the MÅ«lasarvāstivāda.The Pudgalavāda sects (also known as VātsÄ«putrÄ«yas) were another group of Sthaviras which were known for their unique doctrine of the pudgala (person). Their tradition was founded by the elder VātsÄ«putra circa 3rd century BCE.Williams, Paul (2005). Buddhism: The early Buddhist schools and doctrinal history; Theravāda doctrine, vol. 2, p. 86, Taylor & Francis.The Vibhajyavādins were conservative Sthaviras who did not accept the doctrines of either the Sarvāstivāda or the Pudgalavāda. In Sri Lanka, a group of them became known as Theravada, the only one of these sects that survives to the present day. Another sect which arose from the Vibhajyavādins were the Dharmaguptakas. This school was influential in spreading Buddhism to Central Asia and to China. Their Vinaya is still used in East Asian Buddhism.The Mahāsāṃghikas also split into various sub groups. One of these were the Lokottaravādins (Transcendentalists), so called because of their doctrine which saw every action of the Buddha, even mundane ones like eating, as being of a supramundane and transcendental nature. One of the few Mahāsāṃghika texts which survive, the Mahāvastu, is from this school. Another sub-sect which emerged from the Mahāsāṃghika was called the Caitika. They were concentrated in Andhra Pradesh and in South India. Some scholars such as A.K. Warder hold that many important Mahayana sutras originated among these groups.Warder, A.K. (2000). Indian Buddhism, p. 313 Another Mahāsāṃghika sect was named Prajñaptivāda. They were known for the doctrine that viewed all conditioned phenomena as being mere concepts (Skt. prajñapti).Harris, Ian Charles (1991). The Continuity of Madhyamaka and Yogacara in Indian Mahayana Buddhism, p. 98According to the Indian philosopher Paramartha, a further split among the Mahāsāṃghika occurred with the arrival of the Mahayana sutras. Some sub-schools, such as the Kukkuá¹­ikas, did not accept the Mahayana sutras as being word of the Buddha, whole others, like the Lokottaravādins, did accept them.Sree, Padma; Barber, Anthony, W. (2008). Buddhism in the Krishna River Valley of Andhra, p. 68.Although there are differences in the historical records as to the exact composition of the various schools of early Buddhism, a hypothetical combined list would be as follows:{|width=“100%”valign=“top”

Sthaviravāda Pudgalavāda (’Personalist’) (c. 280 BCE) VatsÄ«putrÄ«ya (during AÅ›oka) later name: SaṃmitÄ«ya {{ill|Dharmottariya|lt=DharmottarÄ«ya|zh|法上部}} BhadrayānÄ«ya Sannāgarika Vibhajjavāda (prior to 240 BCE; during AÅ›oka) Theravāda (c. 240 BCE) (KāśyapÄ«ya (after 232 BCE)){{refn|group=note|name=“Buswell-Lopez“|According to Buswell and Lopez, the KāśyapÄ«ya and Mahīśāsaka were offshoots of the Sarvastivadins, but are grouped under the Vibhajjavāda as “non-sarvastivada” groups.{{Citation|last1=Buswell|first1=Robert E. Jr.|last2=Lopez|first2=Donald S. Jr.|author2-link=Donald S. Lopez Jr.|title=Princeton Dictionary of Buddhism |date=2013|publisher=Princeton University Press |isbn=978-0-691-15786-3|url=http://www.daophatngaynay.com/vn/files/file-nen/Princeton_Dictionary_of_Buddhism_890707662.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612144307www.daophatngaynay.com/vn/files/file-nen/Princeton_Dictionary_of_Buddhism_890707662.pdf |archive-date=12 June 2018 |url-status=live |page=859}}}} (Mahīśāsaka (after 232 BCE)){{refn|group=note|name=“Buswell-Lopez“}} (Dharmaguptaka (after 232 BCE)){{refn|group=note|name=“Buswell-Lopez“}} Sarvāstivāda (c. 237 BCE) (KāśyapÄ«ya (after 232 BCE)){{refn|group=note|name=“Buswell-Lopez“}} (Mahīśāsaka (after 232 BCE)){{refn|group=note|name=“Buswell-Lopez“}} (Dharmaguptaka (after 232 BCE)){{refn|group=note|name=“Buswell-Lopez“}} Sautrāntika (between 50 BCE and c. 100 CE) MÅ«lasarvāstivāda (3rd and 4th centuries) Vaibhāṣika

{{IAST|Mahāsāṃghika}} Ekavyahārikas (during Aśoka) Lokottaravāda Gokulika (during Aśoka) Bahuśrutīya (late third century BCE) Prajñaptivāda (late third century BCE) Caitika (mid-first century BCE) Apara Śaila Uttara Śaila

Theravāda

(File:Tipitaka2.jpg|thumb|right|270px|The Tipitaka (Pali Canon), in a Thai Style book case. The Pali Tipitaka is the doctrinal foundation of all major Theravāda sects today)Theravāda is the only extant mainstream non-Mahayana school. They are derived from the Sri Lankan Mahāvihāra sect, which was a branch of the South Indian Vibhajjavādins. Theravāda bases its doctrine on the Pāli Canon, the only complete Buddhist canon surviving in a classical Indian language. This language is Pāli, which serves as the school’s sacred language and lingua franca.Crosby, Kate (2013), Theravada Buddhism: Continuity, Diversity, and Identity, p. 2.The different sects and groups in Theravāda often emphasize different aspects (or parts) of the Pāli canon and the later commentaries (especially the very influential Visuddhimagga), or differ in the focus on and recommended way of practice. There are also significant differences in strictness or interpretation of the Vinaya Pitaka, the Theravādin Vinaya followed by monastics of this tradition.The various divisions in Theravāda include:

• Indian Theravāda (mostly historical, although revived in the modern period partly through the Vipassana movement)
• Sri Lankan Theravāda
  • Amarapura–Rāmañña Nikāya
    • Delduwa
    • Kanduboda (or Swejin Nikaya)
    • Tapovana (or Kalyanavamsa)
    • Sri Lankan Forest Tradition
  • Siam Nikaya
    • Waturawila (or Mahavihara Vamshika Shyamopali Vanavasa Nikaya)
• Burmese Theravāda
  • Thudhamma Nikaya
    • Vipassanā tradition of Mahasi Sayadaw and disciples
  • Shwegyin Nikaya
  • Dvaya Nikaya or Dvara Nikaya (see Mendelson, Sangha and State in Burma, Cornell University Press, Ithaca, New York, 1975)
  • Hngettwin Nikaya
• Thai Theravāda
  • Maha Nikaya
    • Dhammakaya Movement
    • Mahasati meditation (mindfulness meditation)
  • Thammayut Nikaya
    • Thai Forest Tradition, focused on monastic living in the wilderness
  • Santi Asoke, a recent reform movement
• Cambodian Theravāda
  • Maha Nikaya
  • Thammayut Nikaya
• Tantric Theravada, includes many esoteric elements not present in classic Theravāda
• Vietnamese Theravāda
• Laotian Theravāda
• Dai Theravāda in China
• Bangladeshi Theravāda
  • Sangharaj Nikaya
  • Mahasthabir Nikaya
• Nepalese Theravāda
  • Dharmodaya Sabha
• Vipassana movement, a strongly lay focused meditation based movement, popular in the West (where it is also known as “Insight Meditation“)
• Western Theravāda Buddhism

Mahāyāna schools

Indian Mahāyāna Buddhism

File:Nagardjuna.jpg|thumb|NagarjunaNagarjunaMahāyāna (Great Vehicle) Buddhism is category of traditions which focus on the bodhisattva path and affirm texts known as Mahāyāna sutras. These texts are seen by modern scholars as dating as far back as the 1st century BCE.Warder, A.K. (3rd edn. 1999). Indian Buddhism: p. 335. Unlike Theravada and other early schools, Mahāyāna schools generally hold that there are currently many Buddhas which are accessible, and that they are transcendental or supramundane beings.Williams, Paul, Mahayana Buddhism: The Doctrinal Foundations, Routledge, 2008, p. 21.In India, there were two major traditions of Mahāyāna Buddhist philosophy. The earliest was the Mādhyamaka (“Middle Way“), also known as the Śūnyavāda (“Emptiness“) school. This tradition followed the works of the philosopher Nāgārjuna ({{circa|150}}–{{circa|250 CE}}). Two subsects of the Madhyamaka school that developed were the Svatantrika, founded by the 6th-century Indian philosopher Bhāviveka, and the Prasangika, founded by Chandrakirti and later advanced by Je Tsongkhapa, 14th-century founder of the Gelug sect in Tibet.The other major school of Indian Mahayana was the Yogācāra (“yoga practice“) school, also known as the Vijñānavāda (“the doctrine of consciousness“), Vijñaptivāda (“the doctrine of ideas or percepts“), or Cittamātra (“mind-only“) school, founded by Asanga in the 4th century AD. Some scholars also note that the compilers of the Tathāgatagarbha texts constitute a third “school” of Indian Mahāyāna.Kiyota, M. (1985). Tathāgatagarbha thought: A basis of Buddhist devotionalism in east Asia. Japanese Journal of Religious Studies, 207–231. This movement heavily influenced East Asian and Tibetan Mahayana schools such as the Dashabhumika, Huayan, Tiantai, Jonang, Nichiren and Zen sects, as did both Madhyamaka and Yogacara.

East Asian Mahayana

East Asian Buddhism or East Asian Mahayana refers to the schools that developed in East Asia and use the Chinese Buddhist canon. It is a major religion in China, Japan, Taiwan, Vietnam, Korea, Malaysia and Singapore. East Asian Buddhists constitute the numerically largest body of Buddhist traditions in the world, numbering over half of the world’s Buddhists.Pew Research Center, Global Religious Landscape: Buddhists.BOOK, Johnson, Todd M., Grim, Brian J., The World’s Religions in Figures: An Introduction to International Religious Demography,media.johnwiley.com.au/product_data/excerpt/47/04706745/0470674547-196.pdf, 2 September 2013, 2013, Wiley-Blackwell, Hoboken, NJ, 34, bot: unknown,media.johnwiley.com.au/product_data/excerpt/47/04706745/0470674547-196.pdf," title="web.archive.org/web/20131020100448media.johnwiley.com.au/product_data/excerpt/47/04706745/0470674547-196.pdf,">web.archive.org/web/20131020100448media.johnwiley.com.au/product_data/excerpt/47/04706745/0470674547-196.pdf, 20 October 2013, East Asian Mahayana began to develop in China during the Han dynasty (when Buddhism was first introduced from Central Asia). It is thus influenced by Chinese culture and philosophy.Gethin, Rupert, The Foundations of Buddhism, OUP Oxford, 1998, p. 257. East Asian Mahayana developed new, uniquely Asian interpretations of Buddhist texts and focused on the study of sutras.Williams, Paul, Mahayana Buddhism: The Doctrinal Foundations, Taylor & Francis, 2008, P. 129.East Asian Buddhist monastics generally follow the Dharmaguptaka Vinaya.Gethin, Rupert, The Foundations of Buddhism, OUP Oxford, 1998, p. 260

Main sects

• Chinese Buddhism (Buddhism in contemporary China is characterized by institutional fluidity between schools) WEB,www.buddhistdoor.net/features/buddhism-in-china-today-an-adaptable-present-a-hopeful-future, Buddhism in China Today: An Adaptable Present, a Hopeful Future, 2020-06-01, .
  • Jingtu (Pure Land)
  • Guanyin Buddhism (Syncretized with Chinese folk religion and Taoism)
  • LüzongWEB,www.shengyen.org/e_content/content/about/about_04_06.aspx, 法鼓山聖嚴法師數位典藏, 2013-07-29, dead,www.shengyen.org/e_content/content/about/about_04_06.aspx," title="web.archive.org/web/20130528023559www.shengyen.org/e_content/content/about/about_04_06.aspx,">web.archive.org/web/20130528023559www.shengyen.org/e_content/content/about/about_04_06.aspx, 2013-05-28, . (Vinaya school)
  • Chengshi (Satyasiddhi, historical)
  • Kosa (AbhidharmakoÅ›a, historical)
  • Sanlun (“Three Treatises” school, Mādhyamaka)
  • Weishi or Faxiang school (Yogācāra, historical)
  • Shelun (based on Asanga’s Summary of the Mahayana, historical)
  • Niepan (Tathagatagarbha — based on the Nirvana Sutra, historical)
  • Dilun (DaÅ›abhÅ«mikā — absorbed into Huayan)
  • Tiantai (Lotus school)
  • Huayan (Avatamsaka school)
  • Chan (Zen)
    • Sanjiejiao (historical)
    • Oxhead school (historical)
    • East Mountain Teaching (historical)

Heze school (historical) Hongzhou school (historical) Five Houses of Chán* Caodong school* Fayan school (absorbed into Linji school)* Guiyang school* Linji school* Yunmen school (absorbed into Linji school) Humanistic Buddhism (modern)* Chung Tai Shan* Dharma Drum Mountain* Fo Guang Shan* Tzu Chi Tibetan Chan (historical)

• Zhenyan (“True Word”, Esoteric Buddhism)
• Vietnamese Buddhism (Traditions are generally syncretized in Vietnam, rather than existing as distinct schools)
  • Tịnh Độ (Pure Land)
  • Thiên Thai (Tiantai)
  • Hoa Nghiêm (Huayen)
  • Thiền (Zen)
    • Lâm Tế (Linji school)
    • Tào Động (Caodong school)
    • Trúc Lâm (Syncretized with Taoism, Vietnamese folk religion and Confucianism)
    • Plum Village Tradition (Engaged Buddhism)

Order of Interbeing

• Đạo Bá»­u SÆ¡n Kỳ HÆ°Æ¡ng (Millenarian movement)
  • Tứ Ân Hiếu NghÄ©a (Reformist movement)
  • Hòa Hảo (Reformist movement)
• Åšaiva-Mahayana in Southeast Asia (historical, syncretized with Hinduism)
• Korean Buddhism
  • Tongbulgyo (Interpenetrated Buddhism – including Jeongto, or Pure Land)
  • Gyeyul (Vinaya school — historical)
  • Samnon (Mādhyamaka — historical)
  • Beopsang (Yogācāra — historical)
  • Yeolban (Nirvana — historical)
  • Wonyung (Avatamsaka — historical)
  • Cheontae (Tiantai)
  • Hwaeom (Huayen — absorbed into Jogye Order)
  • Seon (Zen)
    • Jogye Order

Kwan Um School of Zen

• Taego Order
• Wonbulgyo (Korean Reformed Buddhism)
• Jingak Order (Shingon syncretized with Humanistic Buddhism)
• Japanese Buddhism
  • Pure Land
    • Jōdo-shÅ«

Chinzei Seizan Shōgyōhongangi Tanengi Ichinengi

• Jōdo ShinshÅ«

Nishi Hongan-ji Higashi Hongan-ji* ÅŒtani-ha

• Ji-shÅ«
• YÅ«zÅ«-nembutsu-shÅ«
• RisshÅ« (Vinaya school)
• Jojitsu (Satyasiddhi – historical, syncretized with Sanron)
• Kusha (AbhidharmakoÅ›a – historical, syncretized with Hossō)
• Sanron (Mādhyamaka – historical)
• Hossō (Yogācāra)
• Kegon (Huayen syncretized with Shingon)
• Mikkyō (Esoteric)
  • Tendai (Tiantai syncretized with Zhenyan, Jingtu, Lüzong and Oxhead school)
  • Shingon (Zhenyan)

Kōyasan Shingon-shū Shingon Risshu (Syncretized with Risshū) Shingon-shu Buzan-ha Shingon-shū Chizan-ha Shinnyo-en

• Shugendo (Syncretized with Shinto, Taoism and Onmyōdō)
• Zen (Chan)
  • Rinzai (Linji school)

Fuke-shū (Historical)

• Sōtō (Caodong school)
• ÅŒbaku (Linji school syncretized with Jingtu)
• Sanbo Kyodan (Sōtō syncretized with Rinzai)

White Plum Asanga* Ordinary Mind Zen School* Zen Peacemakers

• Nichiren Buddhism
  • Nichiren ShÅ«
  • Honmon ButsuryÅ«-shÅ«
  • Kempon Hokke
  • Nichiren ShōshÅ«
• Western Mahāyāna Buddhism
  • Zen in the United States

Esoteric schools

{{See also|Vajrayāna}}(File:Indian Adept (siddha) - (multiple figures)18th century Boston MFA.jpg|thumb|right|upright|Indian Buddhist Mahasiddhas, 18th century, Boston MFA.)Esoteric Buddhism, also known as Vajrayāna, Mantrayāna, Tantrayāna, Secret Mantra, and Tantric Buddhism is often placed in a separate category by scholars due to its unique tantric features and elements. Esoteric Buddhism arose and developed in medieval India among esoteric adepts known as Mahāsiddhas. Esoteric Buddhism maintains its own set of texts alongside the classic scriptures, these esoteric works are known as the Buddhist Tantras. It includes practices that make use of mantras, dharanis, mudras, mandalas and the visualization of deities and Buddhas.Main Esoteric Buddhist traditions include:

• Indian Esoteric Buddhism (Historical)
• Newar Esoteric Buddhism
• Ari Buddhism (Historical)
• Tantric Theravada
• Indonesian Esoteric Buddhism
• Philippine Esoteric Buddhism
• Azhaliism
• Indo-Tibetan Buddhism, the most widespread of these traditions, is practiced in Tibet, parts of North India and Siberia, Nepal, Bhutan, China and Mongolia. Monastics of this tradition generally follow the Mulasarvastivada Vinaya.
  • Nyingma
  • Bön (Indigenous, often considered “pre-Buddhist” in origin)
  • Kadam (Historical)
    • Gelug

Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition New Kadampa Tradition

• Kagyu
  • Dagpo Kagyu

Karma Kagyu* Diamond Way* Shambhala Buddhism Phagdru Kagyu* Drikung Kagyu* Drukpa Kagyu Taklung Kagyu

• Shangpa Kagyu
• Sakya
• Bodong
• Jonang
• Tibetan Pure Land
• Rimé movement (Non-sectarian)
• Mongolian Buddhism
  • Siberian Buddhism
  • Kalmyk Buddhism
  • Buryat Buddhism
  • Tuvan Buddhism
• Bhutanese Buddhism
• Indian Tibetan Buddhism
• Newar Buddhism (Nepal)
• Chinese Esoteric Buddhism (zhenyan, 真言)
  • True Buddha School
• Korean Esoteric Buddhism (milgyo, 密教)
  • Jingak Order (Shingon syncretized with Humanistic Buddhism)
• Japanese Esoteric Buddhism (mikkyō, 密教)
  • Tendai (Zhenyan syncretized with Tiantai, Jingtu, Lüzong and Oxhead school)
  • Shingon (Zhenyan)
    • Kōyasan Shingon-shÅ«
    • Shingon Risshu (Syncretized with RisshÅ«)
    • Shingon-shu Buzan-ha
    • Shingon-shÅ« Chizan-ha
    • Shinnyo-en
  • Shugendo (Syncretized with Shinto, Taoism and Onmyōdō)
  • Kegon (Huayan syncretized with Shingon)
• Western Vajrayāna Buddhism

New Buddhist movements

File:Dr. Ambedkar delivering speech during conversion.jpg|thumb| B. R. Ambedkar delivering speech during conversion, DeekshabhoomiDeekshabhoomi Various Buddhist new religious movements arose in the 20th century, including the following.

• Agon Shu
• Aum Shinrikyo
• Buddhist modernism
  • Buddhist feminism
  • Buddhist fundamentalism
  • Buddhist socialism
  • Critical Buddhism
  • Secular Buddhism
• Coconut Religion
• Dhammakaya Movement
• Diamond Way
• Dobokai
• Engaged Buddhism
  • Buddhist Peace Fellowship
  • Plum Village Tradition
    • Order of Interbeing
  • Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement
• Forshang Buddhism World Center
• Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition (FPMT)
• Gedatsukai
  • Gedatsu Church of America
• Guanyin Famen
• Hòa Hảo
• Ho No Hana
• Humanistic Buddhism
  • Chung Tai Shan
  • Dharma Drum Mountain
  • Fo Guang Shan
  • Tzu Chi
• Jingak Order
• Kwan Um School of Zen
• Navayana (“New Way“), also known as Dalit Buddhist movement, and “Ambedkarite” Buddhism
• New Kadampa Tradition
• Nichiren-based modern lay movements
  • Nichirenism
    • Kenshōkai
    • KokuchÅ«kai
  • Nipponzan Myōhōji
  • ReiyÅ«kai
    • Bussho Gonenkai Kyōdan
    • Myōchikai Kyōdan
    • Myōdōkai Kyōdan
    • Risshō Kōsei Kai
  • Shōshinkai
  • Sōka Gakkai
  • Youth League for Revitalizing Buddhism
• PL Kyodan
• Rimé movement
• Rulaizong
• Sanbo Kyodan
  • White Plum Asanga
    • Ordinary Mind Zen School
    • Zen Peacemakers
• Santi Asoke
• Shambhala Buddhism
• Share International
• Shinnyo-en
• Tibbetibaba
• Triratna Buddhist Community
• True Buddha School
• Vipassana movement
• Western Buddhism
  • Buddhism in Australia
  • Buddhism in Europe
    • Buddhism in Austria
    • Buddhism in Denmark
    • Buddhism in Italy
    • Buddhism in Russia
    • Buddhism in Slovenia
    • Buddhism in the United Kingdom
  • Buddhism in the United States
    • Zen in the United States
• Won Buddhism

See also

• History of Buddhism
• Gandhāran Buddhist texts
• Index of Buddhism-related articles
• Southern, Eastern and Northern Buddhism
• Perfection of Wisdom School
• Buddha-nature School

Notes

{{Notelist}}

Other notes

{{reflist|group=note}}

References

{{Reflist|25em}}

Further reading

• Bhikkhu Sujato (2007). Sects and sectarianism: the origins of Buddhist schools, Taipei, Taiwan: Buddha Educational Foundation; revised edidion: Santipada 2012
• Dutt, N. (1998). Buddhist Sects in India. New Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass.
• Coleman, Graham, ed. (1993). A Handbook of Tibetan Culture. Boston: Shambhala Publications, Inc.. {{ISBN|1-57062-002-4}}.
• Warder, A.K. (1970). Indian Buddhism. Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass.

External links

• The Sects of the Buddhists by T. W. Rhys Davids, in the Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society, 1891. pp. 409–422

{{Buddhism topics}}