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Buddhism is divided into three main branches. The oldest branch is Theravada, the “Way of the Elders.” Theravada is predominately found in southern Asia (Sri Lanka, Burma, Thailand, and Cambodia). By far the largest branch of Buddhism is Mahayana or “Great Vehicle.” It is predominant in northern Asia (China, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam). “Zen Buddhism is a form of Mahayana Buddhism that has become very popular in Western nations in recent years. Zen developed about a thousand years after the death of Buddha. Adherents of Zen say their beliefs do not need to be explained, but are directly transmitted from one mind to another…. A statement of Buddha frequently repeated by advocates of Zen is: ‘Look within; you are the Buddha.’” The third branch of Buddhism is the Vajrayana or “Diamond” tradition. It is dominant in Tibet. The Dalai Lama is the leading figure of this branch.
Though there are different branches of Buddhism, there are some basic teachings accepted by all. These include: The Three Marks of Existence, The Four Noble Truths, The Five Skandhas, The Six Realms, The Eightfold Path, and the Ten Perfections.
“Theravada Buddhism has three groups of scriptures. Together, they are referred
to as ‘Tripitaka’ which means ‘Three Baskets.’ The Tripitaka is about eleven times the size of the Bible. It includes the sayings of Buddha, lectures on discipline, and philosophy. Mahayana Buddhism has no fixed canon of scripture. They have more than 5,000 volumes and the number continues to grow. Some sects choose one portion to follow; some another.”
Some of the main doctrines of Buddhism are karma, reincarnation, and nirvana.
The Meaning of Karma
Buddhism teaches that happiness or suffering in this life is the result of our deeds (karma) in past lives, or past actions in our present lives. Karma is “intentional action, that is, a deed done deliberately through body, speech, or mind.” The effects of karma may be evident either in short term or in the long term. Karma can either manifest its effects in this very life or in the next life or only after several lives.
“A man does wrong and suffers for it. But he may suffer when he has done no apparent wrong. Hence his wrong was done in a former life, and if he does wrong and apparently receives no retribution, he will be punished for his sin in another birth.” The Buddha said, “According to the seed that is sown, So is the fruit you reap. The door of good will gather good result. The door of evil reaps evil result. If you plant a good seed well, Then you will enjoy the good fruits.”
According to the idea of karma in Buddhism, an individual has free-will, but he carries the baggage of deeds done in previous lives.
Reincarnation or Rebirth
The idea of reincarnation permeates our society. In the early 1980's, almost one in four Americans believed in reincarnation. There have been a number of books written, television shows and movies produced that promote this teaching. Many famous people in history believed they were someone else in another life. In some forms of Buddhism, all creatures (including animals) have a soul, so it would be cannibalism to kill and eat animals. Many who believe in reincarnation are vegetarians. Buddhists are not the only animists in the world. Animism is the belief that all sorts of motionless objects…have souls or spirits in them.
Nirvana
In Sanskrit, nirvana literally means, "extinction, blowing out." Nirvana is the ultimate goal of spiritual practice in Buddhism. It is the liberation from the cycle of rebirth and suffering. Nirvana is the total, absolute and permanent cessation of suffering. Buddha says, "one without attachment realizes nirvana." Buddha also says, "end of craving is nirvana." The Buddha described nirvana as supreme happiness, peace and immortality. It is the merging of the individual into being one with the universe. Nirvana means "never having to be reborn."
View of God
As in Hinduism, there are many Buddhists who believe there are many gods, or no gods. “Zen holds that there is no god outside the universe who has created it and created man…. Each of us is but a cell as it were, in the body of the great Self, a cell that comes into being, performs it functions, and passes away, transformed into another manifestation.” “In Chinese style polytheism, the pantheon of gods is open.... In China...religions are viewed as inclusive, and a person may commonly be a combination of Buddhist, Taoist, and Confucianist, with some other elements thrown in as well. Chinese tend to look for a ‘god’ that can solve a specific problem at an immediate time, and to fill a particular need. They visit a variety of temples and shrines to give offerings. When the westerner inquires as to which idols or images in the temple are representative of which religion(s), it is most likely none of the Chinese in attendance knows."
Buddhism is a religion that “offers the chance to be an atheist without having to dispense with religion.” So in Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism, you can be a polytheist or an atheist. It does not affect their final outcome or goals. The Psalmist said, “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God” (Psalm 14:1).
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