Buddhism Today

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Buddhism Today
Guess Who?
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Task Read the four descriptions on the following
slide and try and work out what type of Buddhism
each of the people belongs to
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1
I follow an ancient tradition and live in a
community with other monks. We spend time
following the Buddhist path and teaching others
to do the same.
I follow a type of Buddhism that shares some
major similarities with number 1 but developed
new beliefs too. The Bodhisattva Ideal, the 6
perfections and Shunyata (similar to Anatta) are
examples of these. Whereas number 1 believes that
only the clergy are capable of attaining nirvana,
we believe that others are capable of being
enlightened.
2
The type of Buddhism that I belong to has 4
schools. A distinctive aspect of it is the
emphasis on the teachings combined with yoga
(tantra). We believe that the Dalai Lama is a
holy teacher.
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4
The type of Buddhism I practice has become
popular around the world. It rejects reason and
logic and encourages people to see things from a
completely different point of view.
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Answers
1
Theravada Buddhist
2
Mahayana Buddhist
3
Tibetan Buddhist
4
Zen Buddhist
4
The different forms of Buddhism can be understood
by becoming familiar with the two major schools
that arose out of the Buddha's basic teachings
Theravada and the Mahayana, are to be understood
as different expressions of the same teaching of
the historical Buddha. Because, in fact, they
agree upon and practice the core teachings of the
Buddhas Dharma.