Difference between the schools of buddhism?

jsavino96

Hi, I was wondering if anyone had any knowledge of the differences between the major schools of buddhism (i.e. theravada, zen, tibetan, etc...)? Any incite would be appreciated.

hermitwin

Between 100 and 200 years after the passing away of the Buddha, the Sangha (the monastic community) split over the question, apparently, of who has influence in Sangha affairs. A controversy over some monastic rules had been decided by a committee of mostly Arahants (fully Enlightened monks or nuns) against the views of the majority. The overruled majority were not reconciled to this decision and they probably viewed the Arahants as excessively influential. The disaffected monks subsequently lowered the exalted status of the Arahant and eventually raised in its place the ideal of the Bodhisattva (an unenlightened being said to be in training to become a Buddha). This group of monks and nuns was first known as the 'Maha Sangha', meaning the 'great (part of the) monastic community'.

Cloud

To hear you say it @hermitwin, it sounds like the unenlightened majority split off from the enlightened minority to form new schools of Buddhism. To think about the implications of that for any amount of time can lead to some interesting thoughts about where we are today, and why.

Malachy12

@jsavino96 Lol, Oh my god you're going to start a $h!t storm! Some of the people on here really love exemplifying such Buddhist characteristics as pretentiousness and bickering... they will smell this thread and swim like sharks towards blood. (I'm only half teasing)