Nalanda wrote: ↑Thu Jan 20, 2022 7:58 am
I know little of these groups. Like almost nothing. What are their similarities and differences? Which are closer to Indian Buddhism, which ones are so 'developed'? I hope I'm not offending anybody with my questions. I'm sorry.
Hi, I will give it a go. But this will be pretty basic and some things may lack subtetly or be partially incorrect.
Zen, Chan, Seon, Thien, Rinzai, Soto - All the same? Just Zen in different languages? Why 3 Japanese versions?
In general countries like Japan and Korea got their Buddhist translations and so on from China. This was because China had a huge cultural influence in the surrounding area and the Chinese language was basically lingua franca in East Asia. Why there are different versions is I guess the same as why there are different law schools (mahdabs) in Islam. There is a source, and then there is disagreement on what is the proper interpretation and so on.
Chan = Chinese Zen.
Zen = Chan, imported from China.
Seon = Korean Chan Buddhism.
Thien = Vietnamese Chan Buddhism
Rinzai = A branch of Zen. Founded by Hakuin. Known for integrating koans into their practice.
Soto = Another branch of Zen. Founded by Dogen who went to China and then came back with teachings to Japan.
Pure Land - Prayer to Amithaba. Go to Pureland.
Jodo Shin Shu - ?
Well, remembrance of Amithaba Buddha anyway - often by chanting the phrase Namo Amida Butsu (Namo Amithaba Buddha). Why this "works" is due to Amithabas vows. Honen and Shinran are two famous figures in Pure Land Buddhism.
Jodo Shinsu/Jodo Shin Shu is a branch of Pure Land Buddhism.
Nichiren - There's 3 version? The guy said if you don't follow his path, you're going to hell? Is that true?
- SGI - I only know what I heard...
Nichiren focused on the Lotus Sutra. This also has to do with a concept that is called Ekayana where in the "vechicle" of the Lotus Sutra contains all the other vechicles. And so, focusing on the Lotus Sutra, namely chanting (Nam) Myoho Renge Kyo, was the best or proper practice according to Nichiren. He is know by some for being polemical.
I personally wouldn't give such statements as the one above much weight. It is however a very nice Sutra.
Shingon - Vajrayana?
Yes. Brought to Japan by the monk Kukai (who also invented one of the three written languages used in Japan).
Tendai - Vajrayana?
Comes from the Tiantai school from China - which has a focus on the Lotus Sutra. Afaik it incorporated some elements from Vajrayana.