The Three Schools of Buddhism: Intro

[@DougsDharma]

Check out my new free-mini course and other courses on early Buddhism, at onlinedharma.org/

[@manderson7341]

I was a Theravada monk in southern Thailand for a month. I would love to chat. I had to go to the source and it’s interesting how it gets translated into Western Society.

[@manderson7341]

Okay I see you Doug. Disregard my latest comment. I get very passionate about this because as the Dalai Lama stated, “ if your Christian stay Christian.” That’s a message you society at large but also true because inevitably in any Buddhist practice you come to terms either the fact that no one is giving to save you. The Buddha taught you how to free yourself, not save yourself. Peace and love. Good stuff doug

[@ernestoguillen2266]

Hey dug did another buddhist where aware of another buddhist.

[@WellnessandTruthMinistry]

Talking about Buddhism, this will give you Power! kzbin.info/www/bejne/fHLWdICXprilo7s

[@sinjunart49]

It's AMAZING to me that we have this knowledge at our fingertips in this age. The knowledge in this video would have taken an entire lifetime of travel and study across many distant countries.

[@DougsDharma]

Yes the internet is amazing, I myself have learned so much from the material published online!

[@orangesoul4289]

Epic bro

[@learntibetanwithmanjutib]

Indeed, we can learn so efficiently now. It’s really worlds away from even a few decades ago. Thanks for this.

[@abbati2000]

Though travelling and studying across many countries a lifetime long, would have had the knowledge a completely different reach and meaning.

[@kunalvichare8264]

By travelling you will have the chance to actually practise and experience the thing, in here were just doing a little research kinda thing

[@bitmale]

Buddha said: “I teach one thing and one thing only: suffering and the end of suffering,” which is the ultimate goal of Buddhism.

[@DougsDharma]

Indeed so Yuron Long, the Buddha's focus was suffering and its end. Interestingly though there is dispute about the "only". (Something I only recently realized as well!) tricycle.org/magazine/i-teach-only-suffering-and-end-suffering/

[@c.7959]

Yuron Long... It could be argued that's 2 things 😉😁

[@birju4333]

Nope ur wrong.he taught few ways (there r among many other) to be liberated from life death circle.

[@pokerpokk6866]

@@birju4333 there is only onw way to reach enlightenment i.e. eight fold path

[@chrisredfield6825]

@@birju4333 "Nope ur wrong" is one of the last things I'd ever expect to hear from someone who claims to practice Buddhism.

[@hzorkic]

2:37 Theravada Buddhism - Insight Driven - Focus on the historical buddha - Less Ritual - Less Hierarchical - Rational and Conceptual Clarity in their teachings - Uses interpreted texts - Become awakened reduce greed, hatred, ignorance does not focus on buddha nature - Very strict monks 7:21 Mahayana Buddhism - Encompasses Zen, Tibeten, Pure Land Buddhism - Devotional Driven (robes, incense, bells, elaborate rooms) - Mantra and ritual based practice - Guru and Teacher based. You would - Very relaxed monks - Break reliance on Reason to understand the world. More non-rational. - Uses more modern texts 11:46 Vajrayana Buddhism - Tantric Buddhism - Intensely guru based, typically work with one teacher for years and years - Intensely hierarchical - Devotional Focused - Initiation rights to bind to gods, gurus, etc. - Mantras, Mudras - Texts are VERY powerful - A lot of aspects are kept secret and not able to be studied without leacher (sex, alcohol, etc. )

[@DougsDharma]

Thanks, I've added the timestamps to the video! 🙏

[@AnnaBananaRepublic]

I’ve been having a hard time finding simple explanations about Buddhism. I appreciate the fact that you’re breaking things down logically, before getting into all of the philosophical stuff.

[@DougsDharma]

Thanks Anna, yes I'm trying to make it understandable to folks without too much philosophical background or interest. There will be some videos that have more of that kind of material however. Just depends on the topic. 🙂

[@Unknown-bv7lv]

@@sifusanticriado spot on

[@RachelSmith-rq5ku]

Wow, this is incredibly helpful. Thank you!

[@cloudfloat4179]

Also just read or watch videos from alan watts. You will see the true meaning to karma and what zen is, a mixture of Daoism and Buddhism. The popular version of Buddhism or Hinduism has a lot of misleading ideas. Alan watts will give clarity.

[@Janibek35]

​@cloudfloat4179 Alan Watts is good. There is a reason why so many people came to understand these things through his lectures/teachings.

[@3CGolf]

7:16 mahayana 2:39 therevada 11:47 vajrayana

[@kelvinseah8258]

Introduction is also way..... Tooooo long

[@asmigaikwad4836]

Thanks bro

[@diansc7322]

​@@kelvinseah8258 only 2 minutes and a half

[@tahirkamrankhan]

Is vajrayana fourth school ?

[@florindacollins864]

I am 51 years old. And just in the last week, have been interested in learning about Buddhism. I am glad I came across your channel. You are a good teacher. I have subscribed to your channel. Thank you.

[@DougsDharma]

That's nice to hear Florinda, I hope you find the videos useful. 🙂

[@TeenwerT]

Im from Thailand. And This channel gives me more reliable information than my 12 years in school

[@DougsDharma]

Glad to be of help TeenwerT! 🙏🙂

[@alberttharchin3473]

Being a mahayana Buddhist I request u that question and criticise us and on buddhism as much as u can. Blind faith is the cause of decline of buddhism. U have lots of knowledge of buddhism, so whenever u meet a Buddhist plz must ask so many question . Thanks for learning and teaching buddhism behalf of all Buddhist.

[@DougsDharma]

Thanks Albert, yes I do agree it’s very important to be curious and ask questions. You’re very welcome!

[@LiquorWithJazz]

This is quite a different take from Western religions.

[@redheadedgypsy1939]

Buddha said, " question everyone & everything...including me" !

[@vicnad92]

@@LiquorWithJazz dhramic faiths (hindu, buddhist, jains, sikhs), encourages questioning.

[@sharadammahemalatha1853]

Pure truth path vipasana meditation

[@thegreatest_ar1813]

I'm not entirely sure why, but everytime I'm having a hard time in my life, I end up finding myself back on your channel. Good material my friend.

[@DougsDharma]

Hey that's very nice to hear. I hope it's useful to you! All the best.

[@meelaranda]

Hi Doug! I've been attracted to buddhism for a long time, but every time I try to study or practice it I feel overwhelmed and I don't know where to start, your videos are helping me a lot, so thank you so much for doing this ✨ I'm sending you good wishes from Argentina!

[@DougsDharma]

That’s great Mielsita, you’re very welcome and thanks for the comment! 🙏

[@junipercedar]

Thank you so much for this video! I left the Jehovah’s Witness religion with my husband last summer. We’ve decided Christianity isn’t for us, so we’re exploring eastern spirituality. We feel as if it represents us better. We are going to a Buddhist temple tomorrow, and by watching this video, we are much more informed- and prefer the Theravāda temple!

[@DougsDharma]

Hey nice to hear, all the best on your journey, Peach!

[@scammecrusher]

Sadhu Sadhu Sadhu...

[@naicittavara7383]

Sādhu Sādhu Sādhu

[@bobsiddoway]

Great overview! Even though I’ve considered myself Buddhist for a decade and been to one of Thich Nhat Hahn’s monasteries and did a day of mindfulness, read many books, and taught meditation groups, I still get the different schools confused and overlapped mentally. Granted, I mostly take what’s helpful for me and leave the rest. Great vid. Best wishes.

[@DougsDharma]

Thanks so much Bob. Yes, a lot of us tend to pick and choose from the various traditions, which is fine so long as we don't get too confused! 😄

[@klo1810]

I know this is an old vid but I just found this now and as someone interested in Buddhism this is so informative and easy to digest. Trying to find info about the schools through self research was sooo confusing

[@DougsDharma]

Yes that's right Unhøly, it's one reason I wanted to make these videos! 😀

[@nightmeds3339]

Hi Doug! I found your channel maybe two years ago at the beginning of quarantine and now two years later I’ve fully found myself as also a secular buddhist. In many ways, I’ve found you to be my “guru” or teacher when it comes to learning more about buddhism and finding new methods and concepts shared in the pali canon and other texts of early buddhism that has really resonated and affirmed my beliefs. Like what you say in every intro of your videos, I’ve found myself becoming kinder, wiser, and living a more fulfilling life. I think what I’m trying to say with this message is thank you for making these videos. Without it, I wouldn’t have realized how compatible buddhism is to my life as someone who has left roman catholicism and faced many times I felt adrift, bouncing between athiest and agnosticism. Keep up the good work and I hope to see more videos soon!!

[@DougsDharma]

Hey that's great to hear! Thanks for the comment and please keep in touch! 🙏😊

[@blueprincesses6403]

I first know Buddhism when I was 7 years old through my Dad. I read some Mahayana Sutras ,I find it long and quite hard for me to understand. Meanwhile I later read the 5 Nikaya Pali Sutra (which I believe they belong to Theravada Buddhism), I find them simple and easier to understand. The context in Pali Sutra is close to ancient Indian lives, many simple examples Buddha use to explain his teachings.

[@DougsDharma]

Yes I also find them simpler and easier to understand, more down-to-earth practices. Thanks Lona!

[@scienceseekerresearcher6130]

@@DougsDharma but down to earth doesn't always mean truth...sometimes truth is complicated...

[@DougsDharma]

For sure!

[@Absolut531kmh]

Mahayana mantras are more complicated as they're Chinese, the hardest language in the world for English speakers. But to make it more simple, is to find the pronunciation version of the mantra.

[@moonlightning8269]

As someone who is recently convinced by the core ideas of the four truths and eightfold path, I’m conflicted, because I’m drawn towards the rationalism in Theravada, but I’m also drawn towards the compassion towards others and the bodhisattva vows and so forth in mahayana. I don’t care for devotional practices, but I feel rituals in general have a practical purpose of spiritual centering/re-centering and strengthening conviction if that makes sense. Meanwhile the very few western/secular buddhists I have met seem to largely be interested in adopting only the aesthetic of a buddhist while cherrypicking concepts and practices that match pop psychology and the self-help industry, ultimately more interested in personal improvement for the end goal of material benefits rather than a cessation of suffering in either the self or others. But I can’t help be drawn to the idea of secularism as an empiricist myself. But this is the perspective of a prospective outsider, just voicing my frustration with not feeling like any school is a good fit for me rather than trying to disparage anybody

[@DougsDharma]

Well so make your own path in the dharma! So long as it helps promote the cessation of suffering, it's headed in the right direction. 😀

[@lucalinadreemur9448]

Well it helps to realize that each of the schools of Buddhism was created from someone in the past feeling dissatisfied with the options of Buddhism available to them. I don't believe there is any right or wrong path in life. Simply what is right or wrong for each individual. That was my long-winded way of agreeing with Doug; forge your own path.

[@learntibetanwithmanjutib]

@@DougsDharma hear, hear.

[@saintsword23]

@@lucalinadreemur9448 It goes deeper than that. The forerunner to Mahayana, the Mahasangika, caused the first schism at the follow up to the second council, mostly because they didn't like the vinaya (the monk's rules) that the Buddha set forth. Notably, they didn't like the rule against eating after midday, or that they couldn't take monetary donations. They then denigrated the achievements of Arhats, saying they're not fully enlightened and not destined to leave samsara after death. I say this with all love, but the Mahasangika and the Mahayana that grew out of it simply have wrong view. It's not that they haven't done great things or that the hearts of present day Mahayana folks aren't in the right place, as for the most part I think they are, it's that Theravada, despite its own flaws, at least remains fairly close to the Buddha's actual teachings. The Mahasangika movement was instead born out of a faction of monks who just weren't there to achieve the goal of Nibbana and wanted laxer rules so they could freely pursue their own objectives. It's important to have discipline as well as compassion about these things. It does people no good to follow teachings that don't lead to liberation from suffering. There's schools within Mahayana (as well as Theravada - dry insight comes to mind) that need loving chastisement as their teaching isn't liberating anyone.

[@freetibet1000]

It is a normal view within Mahayana Buddhism that a foundation of Hinayana views and practices is of great importance. The different Yanas may seem as different paths with different aims but really they all point towards the same thing, the taming of the mind in order to overcome the causes of suffering and samsara. The view within Tibetan Buddhism is that one cannot just jump right into the more esoteric type of practices (as a beginner) but we must build a foundation that stem right back to the foundational practices and views taught in the First turning of the Wheel of Dharma (Hinayana) by the Buddha. For any practitioner within the Tibetan tradition the Buddha is considered our founding root source and is placed at the center of the tradition. The path of Varjayana is considered open to us only if we have a thorough understanding of Hinayana and Mahayana first. For a Varjayana practitioner the Buddha turned the Wheel of the Dharma three times, meaning that the Buddha appeared in different forms at different times to introduce a new set of teachings for differently inclined students. To have a sense of starting from the beginning with the essential teachings taught by the historical Buddha will build an excellent foundation should we feel inclined towards more Mahayana type of practices later. But it is also considered not a problem, nor danger, to start out right away with a practice more inclined towards a Mahayana view either. The view of Mahayana has all the Hinayana views embedded within it and is in no way a contradiction to the First turning of the Wheel of the Dharma. It is more like an expanded form, we can say. Even though Mahayana and Varjayana seems to express more flair and colours those are secondary outwardly appearances, mostly. Both these vehicles requires extraordinary discipline, commitment and focus to be effective. They are not meant for the faint hearted or lazy person, as it sometimes have been portrayed as to be. It is in fact the absolute opposite! The view, commitment and practice of a Bodhisattva is no small thing at all! It should be seen as an culmination of what the heart of enlightenment (Bodhicitta) is all about. When we enter into a Mahayana practice we become an “aspiring” Bodhisattva which entails things such as eternal (not just for one lifetime) commitment towards enlightened aspiration and the sincere will to bringing liberation to all sentient beings. The path towards becoming a Buddha goes through all the stages of being on the path of a Bodhisattva first. That transition may happen as a slow or rapid progression, but no Buddha is said to have appeared without having traversed the ten (or thirteen) stages (Bumis) of a Bodhisattva first. This is the Mahayana view. It should be noted that the Mahayana (and Varjayana) vehicle(s) of practices are not recognized by all Hinayana practitioners as authentic teachings of the Buddha. Conversely, all practitioners within Mahayana and Varjayana are advised to accept and appreciate the First turning of the Wheel of the Dharma (Hinayana) by the Buddha, at least as being foundational in practice and views. It may seem puzzling why we have so many different styles, ways and costumes within the Buddhist community? The traditional explanation for that is the different inclinations we practitioners are endowed with. Buddhas and Bodhisattvas appear continuously throughout space and time to teach and help sentient beings overcome their obscurations and achieve the realization of their true nature, or liberation. No teaching will fit all types of beings but the Buddhas are endowed with the infinite capacities to teach in accordance to the inclinations of the students listening. Over time this will form into, what seems to be separate traditions and schools of thought. It is for that reason we always need to look back into the first set of teachings the historical Buddha of our time gave in order not to fall into the trap of sectarianism or “skipping the grade”-type of mentality. No teachings given by the Buddha should be seen as trivial or negligible. It was given to us with full intent and insight knowing it contains no contradictions, if understood correctly.

[@optimisticintegration1553]

I love your clarity, humility, and your open minded depictions of the various schools of thought. It is a difficult world we live in and your words are helpful in both dealing with it, and giving the opportunity to still enjoy life. "Live long and prosper." modern Buddhist friend. ;)

[@DougsDharma]

Wonderful, thanks for your comments Optimistic Integration. 🙏

[@jorayner24]

At 54 I’m wanting to expand my knowledge and understanding of Buddhism as feel this could be a path for me. Thank you for these amazing videos

[@DougsDharma]

You're most welcome! 🙏

[@hbelleasmr]

i’m just getting into Buddhism and only beginning my research, and your videos have already been so helpful in forming my understanding of Buddhism as a whole and where I see myself fitting in with my personal practice. thank you so much for your clear and direct explanations!! 🖤

[@DougsDharma]

You're very welcome Hope, glad to help out!

[@madisonwestgate2652]

I just would love to say that I’m great full to come across your channel. You organized this video very well. I’m currently 15 years old and very confused in the world and after hearing about Buddhism, I became very interested in the idea of each branch. I found it very hard to find anything with a straight answer so I appreciate having people like you, know exactly what you’re talking about and teaching others. Thank you!

[@DougsDharma]

Hey you're very welcome Lynn! Glad to be of help! 😀

[@johndy9571]

me too i want the teaching of buddhism, Im atheist btw but I want to be budhist.

[@XO-pw2fi]

It’s a very good explanation Doug! When I first converted to buddhadharma you built my foundation. I myself have been a vajrayana practitioner for some years because I have been attracted to Tibetan Buddhism since a little child, and it’s been the biggest gift of my life to find the teachings, the Buddha, my sangha and my gurus. As my root guru His Eminence Garchen Rinpoche says: “It doesn’t matter if one calls a Buddhist or not, the dharma is love”. Also from a broader view I think it would be very good to mention that every teaching that fits under the 4 seals Is Buddha dharma: 1. All compounded things are impermanent. 2. All contaminated phenomena cause suffering. 3. All things are selfless, or in other words interdependent. 4. Nirvana is beyond extremes( nihilism and eternalism). This is the teaching of the Buddha.

[@DougsDharma]

Thanks XO, glad it's been of help to you! 🙏🙂

[@MrMarkblip]

Excellent talk. I have been. a member of a Theravadan Sangha for 20+ years, Great Lakes Buddhist Vihara in Southfield, Michigan.

[@DougsDharma]

🙏😊

[@matteosollecito2448]

Doug, my experience sitting with the three schools has been pretty much identical to yours. I sat with a Tibetan group for a few months in Rochester NY. The meditation room was exquisitely decorated with ornate tapestries, sculpture, beautiful pillow seating with little sort of desks on the floor for the exquisite little spirals of printed chants we were given. Some people robed. Seated in a u. Good meditation leaders. I sat with a zen like group a couple of times in oyster bay Long Island aligned with plum village. It was not for me. Everyone spoke in whispers. It was overly reverential, I felt like I was in a cleared out reception room of an old mansion, which we were. It just felt forced to me. The Theravadan Long Island Buddhist meditation center in port Jeff and now moved to riverhead was for me. As you say, very egalitarian even though it was led by very skillful monks. They explained everything. We stared with chanting, then readings from the Pali canon where we went around the circle and read aloud, then two meditations… metta followed by breath. The monks were associated with bante g and the Vihara in West Virginia. Some people left as they they got hung up on the issue of rebirth. I’m agnostic on this. I don’t care. But it was a barrier to some. I feel they might have been more content if they just let it go.

[@DougsDharma]

Yes I think it matters a lot to some traditional practitioners, and is a barrier to many others. Best to leave it aside and let each person decide for him or herself. Glad to hear you had similar thoughts! 🙏😊

[@martynsnan]

Thanks Doug, another excellent video. It's always been fascinating to see how people of different spiritual ideas incorporate local beliefs. Christianity is rife with it and Buddhism is no exception. You mentioned the Hindu connections. Tibetan Buddhists absorbed aspects of the Bo tradition. Chan, later Zen, happily includes Taoist ideas. Now we are seeing how the different schools are adapting to Western lifestyles and we can compare the same schools with the way they work in other parts of the world. A Christian evangelist acquaintance insists that all Christian denominations, at least the ones he approves of, have the same core beliefs. I hope we can all remember the roots of Buddhism. Your series of talks helps that ideal a lot.

[@DougsDharma]

Thanks so much martynsnan. Yes, as you say the adaptation continues today where contemporary ideas are changing Buddhism, making it a more secular practice. That will work for many of us but not all, and that's fine so long as we retain that ethical core of kindness, compassion, generosity, wisdom. The best of Christianity follows the same approach, and it's one we should celebrate. 🙏

[@thomasbrown3037]

Thanks for the great video, great insight to someone who is just a year into my Buddhist journey. Much love from Wales, UK.

[@DougsDharma]

You're most welcome! 🙏

[@bliss409]

Thank you very much for your videos. I only discovered them a week ago. They are so very helpful. I have been studying Tibetan Buddhism for a few years because I had easy access to teachers in my area. But I have been struggling to find faith in all the deities, mantras and rituals, which left me feeling not worthy and somehow guilty (even though they say there is no word for guilt in Tibetan). I thought of looking into Zen but suspected that they would have a lot of rituals as well, this time just from a different culture. I like listening to Theravaden talks online, but didn't know where to start finding out more about them. By chance I found your videos and they are a great help. I am trying to find more clarity which path to choose and I am very tempted to become a secular Buddhist even though I believe in rebirth 😉. I am looking forward to find out more about Buddhas original teachings. Thank you so much Birgit 🙏

[@DougsDharma]

Yes of course Birgit, that’s wonderful! You’re very welcome, I hope you find what is most beneficial! 🙏🙂

[@TheOjamaYellow]

I almost think Zen has more in common with Taoism than traditional Buddhism, especially in the idea of “non-striving”. They argue that one overcomes the self not through training but through sudden awareness. My Zen teacher would often say “Don’t you know? You are already empty. There is nothing to overcome.” That always stuck with me. Also, how liberal a sangha kind of depends on the school. Soto Zen is pretty lax compared to warrior-esque Rinzai.

[@DougsDharma]

Yes indeed Garrity, agreed! 🙏

[@c.7959]

Interesting idea. Its always confused me a tad how 2 groups in the same school have such polar opposite ideas on conscious use of thier meditation practice as a technique to bring on Awakening (or not, depending on whether Rinzai or Soto). They cannot BOTH BE WRONG? And still commited practitioners in both groups make "progress" and eventually are recognised as having done so by thier teachers? Thank you for the thoughts on Taoism - I have read The Tao Te Ching but did not pick that up. I shall have another look.

[@CraigC74]

Yes. I think of Zen as “Buddhism viewed through the lens of Taoism.” Same teaching, but having a non-dualistic starting point changes the flavor

[@MichaelBurtonGahurton]

That's a very good observation! Zen does have a lot in common with Taoism. Chan, the Chinese progenitor of Japanese Zen (the word Zen is derived from Chan) was directly influence by Taoism during its development.

[@TENGRI-101]

​@@MichaelBurtonGahurton 'Cos zen is a mixture of buddhism and taoism which is linking heavily with chinese culture. Its TAO-ized buddhism. And also hindu-ized buddhism exists in india.

[@Alexanderkermani]

I feel inclined to add that when the Mahayana talk about "emptiness" / "void" / "nothingness", we're not being nihilistic. It's a way to communicate the inconceivable nature of reality. As soon as you conceptualize or define "nothing", it isn't actually nothing anymore. This is Buddha nature (as I understand it), and I liken it to the way that people conceptualize God. If God is omnipotent and omnipresent, then all things must be the expression of that perfectly unified, infinite God (the true nature of which is concealed by our limited perceptive faculties). Anyway, I'm obviously a little more on the superstitious side than you are, and I'm way more pedantic; but I thought this would be a fun addition to your already phenomenal introduction. Love your content, man!

[@DougsDharma]

Thanks Alexander, yes "emptiness" isn't meant to be nihilism. I discuss the early doctrine of emptiness in another video here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/i2LCmml7q753l7s

[@nathanwatches]

This is a big big huge subject. Kudos to brother Doug to kept it concise. Its not easy.

[@DougsDharma]

Thanks Nathaniel. Yes, it's really a huuuuge topic, that's for sure. 🙂

[@adrianasolisquezada9977]

Great explanation of the three major schools of Buddhism. Thank you. Regards from Mexico :)

[@DougsDharma]

You're very welcome! Me encanta Mexico! 🇲🇽

[@JohnGrove310]

Secular Buddhism seems to make the most sense to me. Stories of people remembering past lives and re-birth sound as fantastical as unicorns. But using Buddhism to sharpen your morality and behavior and using meditation to calm yourself, get centered is to me the most important concepts of Buddhism. I've been attending a Buddhist temple in town and they are some of the most non-judgemental and kindest people I've ever met.

[@DougsDharma]

Wonderful to hear. Yes, that has generally been my experience as well!

[@JohnGrove310]

​@@DougsDharma Thanks Doug, a new subscriber here and I appreciate your content.

[@TheLordDeliverence]

Really good video and I appreciate you trying to be as open and honest on this.

[@DougsDharma]

Thanks, I try!

[@MakeMajor]

thank you for making this video! I've been getting into Nichiren Buddhism lately and this helps me look at the practice from a 10000 foot level, much love from LA

[@DougsDharma]

Glad you found it useful Make Major!

[@hannahpitt3948]

I start my MA in Buddhist Studies this September and your videos are so helpful. Thank you!

[@DougsDharma]

That's great to hear Hannah! Best of luck with your MA, let us know how it goes!

[@Zsoltrepasy]

Great and very informative high-level intro and summary on the 3 main "schools", thank you so much! However, I missed a very important aspect of Vajrayana Buddhism from the video. As far as I know from my studies, the early / ancient Tibetan religion (Bon or Bön) had a very intense influence on Vajrayana, including rituals, visual representations, deities and other beings, afterworlds and so on.

[@DougsDharma]

Yes my understanding is that the indigenous Tibetan religion influenced the Tibetan practice of Vajrayāna, but Vajrayāna began in India and has influence around Asia, so the Tibetan practice is only one of many.

[@Zsoltrepasy]

@@DougsDharma Thank you for your kind reply. Correct, that’s what I meant, sorry for the confusion.:) What I meant is that Bon / Bön had a strong influence on Tibetan buddhism. 🙏

[@TeaLaRee]

Thank you for making the effort to put this video together. Much appreciated.

[@DougsDharma]

My pleasure!

[@sharonl3722]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge. I have been interested in Buddhist teaching for a long time. I wasn’t getting anywhere with my internet searches. Thus, I turned to KZbin for information that is how I found your channel. I am very grateful for your videos.

[@DougsDharma]

Great to hear Sharon, thanks!

[@phoebegreaves4709]

As someone new to Buddhism, so much easier to follow than books! I've wanted to learn how to practice for a while but the meditation centre near me is just too expensive for a student :( these are super helpful for teaching myself at home so thankyou!

[@DougsDharma]

Great to hear, Phoebe. You're very welcome! 🙏

[@learntibetanwithmanjutib]

Sad to hear that a centre charges instead of accepting donations. The internet has plenty of good teachings, but it can indeed be overwhelming and difficult to navigate.

[@candrawijaya2631]

I really agree with the secular buddhism, but i also respect to others school😇🙏 May all beings be free from suffering.. May all of u be happy 😇

[@DougsDharma]

That's right candra, thanks and be well! 🙏

[@newfilmtrailer7733]

Hey man. I am from Sri Lanka born in buddhist family. Sri Lanka has only Theravada buddism. We are highly practicing sathipattana meditation in our monasteries. As I think Thailand,Mynmar and Laos like that. If you want to learn in deep come to Sri Lanka.. Namo Buddaya.. Sadu Sadu Sadu...

[@DougsDharma]

Thanks NFT! I would like to go there someday!

[@RedWinter88]

I'm very thankful for this video, I've been trying to find a simple explanation of the different types. Thank you very much for making it!

[@DougsDharma]

You're very welcome!

[@cravenmoorehead5657]

2:39 to get right to the point

[@DougsDharma]

Thanks Andre! Takes me awhile. 😄

[@jimlahey3552]

I’ve been practicing at a Chan Buddhist center in Northern California. It falls under the Mahayana category. Some of what you said was true for my monastery, but some of it was not. Overall, my experience has been extremely positive. The center is definitely ritualistic; there’s a lot of singing, chanting, and of course, lots of meditation. The monastery is beautiful and full of statues of bodhisattvas and arhats. Dharma talks from the head abbas are engaging and informative. Like you said, there is a focus on things like emptiness, non-duality, inherent Buddha nature, and other teachings that feel somewhat paradoxical at times. There is a robust community of monastics at the monetary I attend and they are extremely lighthearted and good humored. However, they are strictly devoted. They don’t marry, they don’t drink alcohol, and they are vegetarians. Thank you for your informative videos! Amitofo!

[@DougsDharma]

Yes, for sure each center will have its own flavor. Thanks for the info! 🙏

[@melodieland1451]

Excellent explanation regarding the schools of Buddhism. Love your channel.

[@DougsDharma]

Thanks Melodie, very kind of you to say. 🙏

[@ranjitwijesinha1342]

Thank you, Doug. I'm a Sri Lankan living in Australia for the past 45 years. I was raised as a Christian -but now I follow Buddhist practices. Not based on beliefs or dogma. I live a Buddhist life. I understand One dharma (Joseph Goldstein). I understand the 4 noble truths. I practice Mindfulness Meditation daily, also the four immeasurables- Metta, Karuna, Mudita, and Uppeka. For me, the practice of purification of the mind to escape suffering is the goal.

[@DougsDharma]

Glad to hear it Ranjit, thanks.

[@dmweibel7423]

Great content and channel. I'm a Jodo Shinshu or Japanese Pure Land Buddhist and find it works for me. The key is to find that path that will work for you

[@DougsDharma]

Exactly so. Find what works for you. 🙏

[@salvadormartinez9320]

Love to hear your take on Shingon and Nichiren Buddhism.

[@votuvan9565]

I have been an Asia traditional practitioner my entire life. This is my first time listening to to a Western Buddhist view. You did great!!! From your pronunciation to the background images, they are really gorgeous and precious. Thank you so much for spreading the words!!! Keep up a good work

[@DougsDharma]

My pleasure, votuvan. Thanks so much for your comment! 🙏

[@AleccJamezz]

how do u think it differs from eastern explanations?

[@bensonputhethu5918]

You're awesome. Thank you for clarifying this in such a simple way.

[@DougsDharma]

You're very welcome Benson! 🙏

[@racheljones9786]

Thank you for this 🙏 Is all so confusing when you are just starting out. Have been following Theravada practise as again, i just stumbled across it from by chance. You have clarified that it is definitely the right for me so thank you for that. Really interesting, really appreciated...... 🙏

[@DougsDharma]

Wonderful!

[@SDCertification]

Appreciate your sharing🙏 I'm not a Buddhist practitioner but into Spiral Dynamics (theory on evolution of individual deeper drives/worldviews) instead and just came back from a 7 day meditation workshop (in a small dark room by self...a cave...without talking to other people most of the time) . I believe your teaching sheds light onto what I'm working with now e.g. different Buddhism practice should suit people of different deeper drive. Thanks again!

[@DougsDharma]

You're very welcome Frank, glad it was helpful!

[@BNaturalStudios]

Hi! Great video! I first learned zazen at the age of nine due to martial arts training. I spent some time in Thailand, and here locally with Theravadan monks who instructed me on preliminary techniques, shamatha and vipassana. I attended Pure Land services and other Chinese Buddhist/Taoist Temple services for several years in San Diego. I practiced Soto Zen for several years, and hosted the local sangha at my house for several years. I also hosted and now work inside a Vajrayana Temple in the Gelugpa tradition for over ten years now. I also receive practice, empowerments, in the Mahamudra tradition, but my primary lineage now is Nyingmapa. I am writing this because you asked if anyone had practiced any of these traditions. So, anyway, great job discussing the three schools. My only criticism is the word transgressive. Seems the lack of transparency, like Freemasonry, for instance, creates a mystique that outsiders project upon what goes on within the tiled room.

[@DougsDharma]

Thanks for your input! As for the word, it's one often used in scholarly circles when discussing some of these early practices. They transgressed norms of the day.

[@BNaturalStudios]

@@DougsDharma Thanks for the clarification. Transgressing norms versus transgressing vows, or morals carry different weight and connotation. For instance, offering alcohol and meat are essential when doing tsok in certain rituals, but not amongst the 8 most common types of offering. Some practitioners of others schools might find that inappropriate.

[@GarryYogiG]

Try them all! They are all great beneficial practices to experience and observe..and importantly enjoy

[@theheartbeatwithlisahender2117]

This is a very clear and helpful description of the 3 different schools of Buddhism

[@DougsDharma]

Very glad you found it useful, Lisa!

[@landgabriel]

Theravada Buddhism in SE Asia seems to heavily emphasize iconography (featuring Hindu deities), architecture, robes, rituals, aesthetics...

[@DougsDharma]

Sure, most traditional Buddhism is this way.

[@TENGRI-101]

Teravada buddism has no deity. They have deva aka angels. Well people are conflating angels and deities Its not about hindu deities but about art adopted from south asia. Well buddism was spread in southeast asia by an indian (south asian) king Asoka. He sent missionaries to most parts of asia, buddy

[@xiaomaozen]

You are a great lecturer, Doug! Thanks a lot for all these fantastic videos! 🙏🏻

[@DougsDharma]

You're very welcome xiao mao!

[@paulmeers4974]

Thanks Doug for this comprehensive explanation! Another largely secular path is Shambhala, which consists of Mahayana and Vajrayana practices inspired by the Tibetans and Zen. Tibetan deities are acknowledged and invoked but these are usually interpreted as aspects of mind. The founder Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche interpreted Buddha Nature as Basic Goodness; Shambhala seeks to create an enlightened society by practicing to develop this Basic Goodness. More advanced Vajrayana (tantric) practices depend more on Tibetan tradition and working with the Guru, along with a vision of "Sacred World." Notably, Shambhala strives to be ecumenical; Chögyam Trungpa used the term "hinayana" to refer to only the early stages of the path of meditation, and not as any comment on other traditions.

[@DougsDharma]

Interesting, thanks Paul.

[@Estenberg]

I was raised within the practice of Zen Buddhism , which my Swedish father converted to when I was a child. Meditation was a large part of our practice, as well as reading, the three-fold path, attempting vegetarianism , sitting Zazen, and chanting almost every morning before school (Franciscan-Catholic school). Surprisingly enough my father was a celebrated Christian filmmaker at the time, and so I was asked to be silent about my Buddhist upbringing. However I found that Buddhism and Catholicism fit together easily, as did my Sicilian mother's adult conversion to Unitarian Universalism. In fact, Zen Buddhism fit easily with every religion and spiritual practice I explored as I grew up, from Hinduism to Christianity, to Witchcraft, to Nature Worship to Paganism, to Sikhism, to Agnosticism, to Kabala, to Atheism, to Ram Dass, to Scientology, to Judaism, to the belief in Ancient Aliens, to Totems, to Alister Crowley, to Astrology, to Huxley, Tolkien, to Transcendentalism, to Universalism, to worship of the Old Gods. Buddhism fit snugly with them all, allowing cohesion to exist no matter what religion I was exploring .

[@DougsDharma]

Yes, Zen practice is like that! Thanks for your story, Eric. Very interesting!

[@Kamisama77]

Paganism? Buddhism, hinduism and sikhism are paganisms. Only two non pagan religions exist and they're judaism and christianity. Paganism is a wide term.

[@TENGRI-101]

What is paganism? Whats your understanding?

[@unitynadabrahmannow8170]

Wonderful summary, very comprehensive, thank you for this service!

[@DougsDharma]

You're very welcome! Glad to help!

[@kennySg101]

Great video ! This video gives me a quick overview of major schools of buddism

[@DougsDharma]

Thanks for letting me know Kenny. Glad you found it useful!

[@optimisticintegration1553]

My introduction was to Pureland Zen from a Zen master from Vietnam who had a temple composed then of two joined houses and another across the street. My journey was to investigate and feel and see whether this religious experience or that was to make me a better person. I was both loved and hated wherever I went. I was also influenced by studies and practices of the sixties and seventies that were involved with self practice. I came to the conclusion that it was the feeling of helplessness from traumas and deprivations in life that were the cause of many blocks to enlightenment and that unlearning the helplessness turned into neurotic symbolic struggles that is the source of greed is an essential part of the introspective process that leads to greater personal enlightenment, less anxiety and freedom from the idea of a permanent unchanging conscious agent called a "soul" or "atman" which concept can block personal change with its inherent clinging to transient conditioned existence. The path as I came to see it involved internal dialogs and deeper pre language or non language mindfulness which develops gradually into a more moral and enlightened state. The path in a nutshell is that one must feel the times of helpless feelings from a position of wisdom and compassion developed in dialogs both internal and external in order to know what one has lost, grieve that loss and let it go, having let go, forgive others from the heart, having forgiven others from the heart, forgive yourself from your heart for the harm your state of non enlightenment had caused, and having done so, know that the one having tears of remorse is no longer the one who did the harm. This is a process repeated at deeper and deeper levels. The middle path, in my view, is about healing anxieties stemming from the past with empathy and compassion, healing anxieties about the future through objectivity and wisdom, and using the creative ability to stand outside yourself and see the hero, the Buddha nature striving to cope, set within a great story to be appreciated and embraced, and to see that others are the same: Buddhas waiting to rise as the lotus from the pond. This kindness to oneself, and kindness to others, are each catalysts for each other and positive change. I see no perfect gurus, or ranks of perfections, just heroes that with the right mindfulness of themselves, are the Buddhas, and I see no perfect Buddha in this conditioned world, unless it is all of us working together in love. Now I grow, and as I change from the baptism of many tears, I know that all life is to be cherished, that real freedom is found in the middle path and a secure mindfulness applied to all our experiences. And when I practice my path in my imperfect way I find tears of compassion, remorse that liberates, and wisdom to help me live my life today and not feel either superior or inferior to anyone, but rather just a potential imperfect friend who is "good enough" because he is on the path, and not because he has achieved anything, and that there is nothing to "achieve". I laugh now in ways that remind me now of my beloved Honorable Venerable Doctor Thich Thien An, who will always be in my heart. I fail everyday, and I am always learning more and more about the difficult skills of tolerance for the superstitious nonsense that corrupts our minds from time to time, I learn to see the hurting hearts that hide the Buddha nature, I learn to restrain from being overly forceful or overly cowardly, and teaching others, and myself, from where each are, instead of from where I think myself or others "should" be. It is not by will that we climb the difficult hill to enlightenment, but by the healing force of compassion and wisdom, that like a seed, grows to a greater vision because we have slowly liberated ourselves from the clinging brought on through no fault of our own because of anxieties and helplessness that are bound to occur in every life. It is both lightning flashes of enlightenment and a slow progression that brings us to our true natures, and the flashes themselves must not be clung to, we are a moving stream, a circle in the air formed by a lit stick of incense in a dark room: Thank you Dr. An.

[@DougsDharma]

Thanks very much for your thoughts! Yes it is at times a path of failing again and again but when you look back you do see progress.

[@nondescriptcat5620]

i would say that Dogen's brand of Soto Zen moves away from many of the devotional aspects of Mahayana back towards the insight practices of Theravada. even at the time he saw himself as "returning to original Buddhism," although probably every sect thinks the same.

[@DougsDharma]

Interesting, thanks!

[@gpparama]

Dear Doug, There is a 4th school of Buddhism called Navayana, you may add if it interests you in your forthcoming videos.

[@DougsDharma]

Yes, I've already done a video on that topic: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p52rkKSfmqiaeaM

[@gpparama]

@@DougsDharma Great

[@radicaledward2981]

Thanks so much for this video Doug. I have always found buddhism interesting and turned to meditation and mindfulness in recent years to cope with and deal with significant stress/trauma. Lately, I have realised I would like to know much more about buddhism and turn towards buddhist practice in a stronger way so I am grateful for you breaking down the highly complex nature of the various aspects!

[@DougsDharma]

That's wonderful to hear, Fiona. It's my pleasure!

[@oldstudent2587]

Oldest (archeologically) Pali Theravada text is Sri Lanka, 1st c. BCE, oldest Mahayana text is now also 1st c. BCE on birch bark, in northern Pakistan.

[@DougsDharma]

Yes, it's generally believed that the first Buddhist texts were written down in the 1st c. BCE. Eminent scholar Richard Gombrich believes that the Mahāyāna arose in part due to the introduction of writing.

[@oldstudent2587]

@@DougsDharma I think everything happened pretty fast, 8K Prajnaparamita is by 75 C.E. carbon dated at Gandhara. Wayman puts Guhyasamaja at 4th c. C.E. Or else they had all been around since way earlier -- the Buddhists as medical experts is often linked with Tantra, but Ashoka bragged about it at the base of one of his pillars, which means they were already meditating in charnel grounds.

[@TomHargrove-j1o]

The closest Buddha temple close to me is 120 miles south of me in Amarillo Tx. I live at the top of Texas panhandle. I need help on my journey of learning.

[@DougsDharma]

I have plenty of material!

[@frankm.2850]

It should be noted that this isn't a strict separation. For example, the Plum Village tradition founded by Thay Nhat Hanh, is an off shoot of Thien, or Vietnamese Zen, which blends Zen/Chan and Theravada Buddhism.

[@DougsDharma]

Yes that's right Robert. All these distinctions are limited and conventional.

[@atualidades2024]

Thank you so much!!! You are amazing!!! I am forever grateful for your explanation!!!

[@DougsDharma]

You’re very welcome Eduardo!

[@atualidades2024]

@@DougsDharma Nice to meet you! Thank you so much!!!

[@jaakizamazin]

Great video. Would you ever consider doing a deeper dive into each of the three major schools? I'd be really interested in a video on the various schools of Theravada Buddhism, differences, similarities, history, and practice styles. I.e. Thai & Thai Forest (Ajahn Chah), Sri Lankan schools, Burma, Cambodia, etc... -with Metta

[@DougsDharma]

Thanks jaakizamazin, I might eventually do a deeper dive into Theravāda but it would take a lot more historical research on my part. So we'll see. 🙂

[@SheffieldShuffle]

@@DougsDharma Please do, I would love to learn more about Theravada.

[@DougsDharma]

@@SheffieldShuffle I have this video on the history of the Theravāda that might interest you: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iWGlYqunic-na5I

[@gulnaramachingura2430]

Thank you so much - very informative and clear

[@DougsDharma]

You’re very welcome, thanks for watching. I’m glad you found it useful. 🙏

[@Lvestfold4143]

I just moved to a new state and one of the closest Buddhist temples to me is a Theravada Buddhist temple. I have been doing more research into that school of Buddhist thought due to proximity for the most part.

[@danieln8415]

Wonderful work Doug, thank you! I woudn't say that Zen is 'irrational' because Dogen is a very rational author, but I would say that Zen uses non-conceptual approach to generate insight as skillful means. Additionally I woudn't say that Vajrayana uses complicated visualization, rather than complex visualizations. I leave here these as suggestions... Your work is amazing, these are just minor points that I think valuable.

[@DougsDharma]

Thanks Daniel!

[@luizr.5599]

Post-Buddhism is fun. Many mindfulness practitioners as myself do not use the label "Buddhist", but use modified Buddist meditation and maybe some insight in Anatta, Anycca and such.

[@DougsDharma]

That's great, "Buddhism" is just a label anyway. What matters is the practice.

[@markusmarsmusic]

Incredibly helpful. Thank you very much for your work, Doug 🙏🎧☮️🎻

[@DougsDharma]

You're very welcome, Markus!

[@sarahdavies9356]

It's a great video, easy to understand and so helpful to have all the information in a neat overview in one place. Thank you 🙏

[@DougsDharma]

You're very welcome Sarah, glad you found it helpful! 🙏🙂

[@andrewtom8407]

Seeing how it was possible to spawn different schools based on the very same teachings from the Buddha really helps me to further understand the very essence of the Buddha's teachings, as well as awed by the unimaginable wisdom of the Buddha. However, it also brings up more questions. This is really a very common phenomenon, different people look at the very same thing and each may come up with different opinions and/or different ideas of what it is. It all depends on what the state of mind the individual is in. This "state of mind" is indeed one's "ego" or "sense of self". In fact, we always put our own personal stamp on everything that we deal with. "Non-self" is probably the Buddha's way of dissociation from one's very subjective state of mind and be completely impartial. Whether consciously or subconsciously, every one of our thinking, everything that we do, and everything that we react to, is always associated with an intention and some purpose that ultimately serves the "self". This certainly applies to how one receives and interprets the Buddha's teachings as well. It is simply impossible for each of the Buddha's followers during His lifetime to receive and understands His teachings at the same level and in the same way. This may be one of the reasons why the Buddha stressed so much on "emptiness" and "non-self". Everything is "emptiness", including every dharma that the Buddha expounded. However, how many of us really treat the Buddha's teachings as "emptiness"? Each of us usually put our own personal stamp on the Buddha's teachings, thinking what it really means with our own interpretations and thinking. This is when we need to apply the "non-self" to the Buddha's teachings as well as to everything else. Furthermore, the Buddha taught for over 45 years. He must have touched on an enormous amount of topics. He also had over a thousand followers during His over 45 years of teaching. I simply wonder if all of them were present at every one of the Buddha's congregations. Even if all the 1000+ followers were all present, could every one of them hear what the Buddha said? If the Buddha could really make every one of them hear Him clearly, then He must truly have supernatural power. Could it also be possible that different groups of His followers received different teachings but not all. Could that be the source of certain disputes among members in the original Sangha because different groups were absent at different times? As a result, could it be possible that not every one of the Buddha's followers could have received the exact same teachings?

[@DougsDharma]

Good thoughts Andrew. Yes we know from the suttas that nowhere near all his followers heard all his dharma talks. Indeed, in his earliest dharma talks he only had five listeners! And he seems to have tailored many talks to the needs of the audience. So he said different things in different places, to different people.

[@Kamisama77]

Do you think this applies only to buddhism? Dude Every religion has several different sects and they have own interpretations. Thats why many secular people nowaday are leaving religions

[@Kamisama77]

Haven't you ever heard of unitarianism,trinitarianism, coptic christianity.. etc? And haven't you ever heard of shia, sunni, sufi... etc? Nature of religions is a little weird.

[@LEOLEOHTM]

Is there any video available on Nichiren Buddhism in Doug'" Dharma

[@doyle6000]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/rKHId2lsbstgn5o

[@anandnainar3590]

You are like an incarnate of the Buddha himself! Speaking with such clarity, objectivity, and teaching calibre! Thank you!

[@DougsDharma]

Very kind of you to say Anand, but I can't compare to the Buddha ... 🙂

[@pollygray9489]

This is brilliant!!Clarity🙏Thank you😊

[@DougsDharma]

Oh, very glad you found it useful, Polly!

[@beritbranch2436]

SINCE you asked for comments.....here goes! Secular Bhuddist, that sounds about right, at this point. Me, schooled in Zen, Zen, Zen Tripple ZEN lately I've been investigating Catholizim but just can't get with the Virgen Mary stuff and you are in NY as I am, sooooooooooooooooooHello. I will be enjoying your going forward and in the near future.

[@DougsDharma]

Glad to hear it berit, thanks!

[@paulh2468]

Thank you very much for explaining Vajrayana. I have limited understanding, and I what I have read, I found confusing. Your explanation of Tantra and it's apparent link to Shaivism was also very useful. I recall reading somewhere that the sexual practices and some of the deities in Tibetan Buddhism were due, in part, to the pre-Buddhist animist practices in Tibet being co-opted or mingled with Buddhist teachings from India. It seems clear there was a good deal of interaction between various "religions" in the first few centuries after the Buddha lived; same as today.

[@DougsDharma]

Yes, I think this mingling of religions is more the norm than the exception, though there pretty clearly are periods where it is more active and lots happens, and other periods where there is less interchange.

[@drb8786]

Great video as usual. I wonder how many people dive into Buddhism from other religions? For me I am coming from a very Christian background. Lutheran tradition very conservative Lutheranism at that. Which I think is why I’m very attracted to the old. I guess you could say the original Buddhism. Theravada. I’ve spent so many years hearing that we just can’t understand certain things that God is a mystery that what seems to be evil. God meant for good. A lot of paradox’s in Christianity, especially within Lutheranism. Which I think may be a big reason why I have left that path, and I am very attracted to the older way of Buddhism.

[@DougsDharma]

Yes, there are many people from other religions who dive into Buddhism. There are even quite a few who feel they can merge the two in some way.

[@didierlason6453]

Your videos are just amazing to me. I appreciate them so, so much. This topic is fascinating to me. I study yogi spirituality and Buddhism. Buddhism and the yogis of India have much in common, but there a few important differences (not the topic here lol). I'm drawn to all schools of Buddhism in some way. I've been studying it for about 4-5 years. I have listened to many different teachers from all schools (Ajahn Brahm and Yuttadhammo Bhikku [Theravada], Amy Miller Robina Courtin, and Geshe-la [Tibetan], Brad Warner [Zen], etc.). I have learned a lot from all three schools. Tibetan Buddhism feels more like "religion" to me (more like yogi spirituality in India). It is also much more complicated than all the other schools. I like the heart-feeling aspect of Tibetan Buddhism (heart yoga); its chants and the receiving of blessings (good wishes). It uses emotion more to tap into the Buddha's teachings. On the other hand, Theravada is logical and rational, focused solely on healing the mind to "see clearly." Here's your mind; here's ultimate reality - now let's deal with it (end of story). And lastly, we have Zen (not familiar with mayahana Pure land): Zen is simplistic but uses paradoxes (as you said) to transcend the "logical" mind (koans). You don't use your intellect and reasoning as you do in Theravada Buddhism. You cannot be taught enlightenment - you get there being always in the present through zazen (meditation). Enlightenment cannot be explained, only known. There are just my generic assessments. But they may be helpful to someone. Who knows? I am a highly emotional person, so Theravada and Zen are more suitable to me overall than Vajrayana. I need to become less emotional. lol. I like the logic of Theravada for dealing with everyday issues (non-reactive mind), but there is something about Zen should I want to go "further" (the paradoxes of existence). And the Zen gardens represent reality so well for me. At any rate, fabulous videos. I look forward to watching more of them. I wish you peace and enlightenment with all my heart.

[@DougsDharma]

Thanks very much Didier Jules, there is a huge amount to learn! 🙏

[@didierlason6453]

@@DougsDharma There surely is so much to learn but the fundamentals are the same. Best wishes again to you!

[@helga13human]

where does Vipassana fit in here?

[@DougsDharma]

Vipassana is part of modern Theravāda.

[@fingerprint5511]

Thanks Doug! 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@DougsDharma]

My pleasure!

[@Relish121]

Growing up from a family lineage practising Pure Land Buddhism in Singapore, I remember when I was a kid my parents started me off by sending me to a Sri Lankan Theravada temple to learn the Four Noble Truths, the Eightfold Paths, the 10 precepts, Samatha meditation and some Theravadin suttas from a Theravadin monk. Couple of years later, they sent me to a Pure Land buddhist temple to learn more about Bodhisattvas' vows and Compassion, Amitabha's vows and the 3 Pure Land sutras from Pure Land monks. If someone asks me what is my religion.. my answer is always... I'm a Buddhist. I don't and will never be very specific by saying I'm a Pure Land or Mahayana Buddhist. I personally feel there shouldn't be any form of branding in Buddhism. Even today I go to both Theravada and Mahayana temples and whichever I go to, I am always welcomed by the temple monks and devotees. Distinguishing oneself and claiming one Buddhist tradition or school is better than the rest is not Buddhism. According to the Dharma (sanskrit)/Dhamma (pali) our historical Lord Buddha Sakyamuni didn't teach us to think as such.

[@DougsDharma]

Thanks for your thoughts on this A Tan. I think it depends on our interest. Some people like a syncretic approach to Buddhist practice, but others don’t. Some people prefer a more devotional practice, others less. So it’s good to know the differences in case you weren’t aware that there was a form of practice that was more appropriate to your own lifestyle and approach.

[@sisterserene9624]

This helped me a lot :)) thank you!!! Also, a recommendation - I am a visual learner, and I would find it helpful if you could incorporate some!! either way, I’ll keep watching! nice job!!

[@DougsDharma]

Thanks Brandon! Yes, I'm a visual learner too. The problem with visuals is twofold: first is finding good visuals that are not copyrighted. The second is finding visuals for topics that are kind of abstract or philosophical. I will when I can! If you have ideas let me know. 🙂

[@keremcantekin]

What if there is no Buddhist group in the area I live. I live in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. As a Turkish citizen, I am not allowed to go South. I don't know any Buddhist center in the North.

[@DougsDharma]

Good question Kerem. I made a video awhile back about what to do if there's no local meditation center. I think some of the ideas might be helpful: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y6OofImBqLtln7c

[@SimonTruelove]

I have often wondered if there is a core, or an archetype, to Buddhism which finds its expression in various manifestations and through the lens of various cultures. So if you look hard enough at all of them there is a primal form which is formless, yet which gives rise to all the differences. I have visited many of the sacred places in India, China, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia and Vietnam as part of my personal investigation into Buddhist history. A powerful illustration of this unity in diversity was provided by my stay at that extraordinary location of the tree at Bodh Gaya, India where all the various traditions (including Secular Buddhism) meet to pay their respects ... as they have been doing for perhaps 25 centuries.

[@DougsDharma]

Well it's hard to say Simon, I think there may be many overlapping cores that we touch upon when reflecting on the dharma. Thanks for your observations!

[@austinburns4213]

My experience with Therevada centers here in middle America has been somewhat different in that they are very structured, have strict monastics as heads of the temple, and are based on a continuation of the original sangha. Most of these temples are Thai or Laotian based. I have never considered the Western meditation centers as Theravadin nor heard them refer to themselves as such, but after your discussion I have to agree they can be - just a different flavor of the same tradition with a bit of ‘new age’ psychology mixed in, depending on who is attending. It also seems that the Thai temples also serve as community centers for cultural traditions for the diaspora, and a way for people to gain merit by supporting the monastics and the temple, which is very important activity for the Thai, Lao, Burmese culture, but a little perplexing for westerners. I practice regularly in both types of centers. Thanks.

[@DougsDharma]

Yes great points to make Austin. There is a good book comparing Theravāda meditation centers in the US. It's called Heartwood: The First Generation of Theravāda Buddhism in America by Wendy Cadge. You might want to take a look.

[@miguelito6838]

How accurate is Thich Nhất Hahn’s “Old Path, White Cloud” as a history of the Buddhas life? I just finished and thoroughly enjoyed it. I hear you reference some of the stories I remember reading in the book which is really cool.

[@DougsDharma]

Interesting question, I haven't read the book. For more on the Buddha's life see my video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aaq4ZHZjl5ubf6s as well as my course on that topic over at onlinedharma.org.

[@nunyabusiness6450]

Vajrayana has a surprisingly large influence in the US, as compared to the other two schools. Apparently in the early 1900s, or late 1800s, Buddhist missionaries from Tibet and Nepal came over and built vajrayana temples, specifically dedicated to drikung kagyu

[@DougsDharma]

Yes, Vajrayāna and Tibetan Buddhism generally has had an outsized effect worldwide I think. But exactly the history of that I'm not sure of. Certainly the exile of the Dalai Lama accelerated it.

[@bigbanana6320]

Excellent explanation. I felt like a good professor was teaching me some new concepts.

[@DougsDharma]

🙏😊

[@spiritualanarchist8162]

Great talk. Now it's just my subjective opinion, but I guess there is a human craving for devotion ,forms & rituals . Be it praying to the statue of Mary , offerings in Taoist temple or chanting to Amida Buddha . The background & philosophy differs, but it seems most religions and spiritual philosophies end up having devotional rituals for people who don't have the time or means for deep philosophical or religious studies and/or long meditations.

[@DougsDharma]

Yes I think that's right. Also some people just prefer a devotional, ritualized practice to one that is less so.

[@kb.e3762]

Taoists should look into Shaivism (Hindu), very similar. Especially, ying yang and yoni lingam.

[@spiritualanarchist8162]

@@kb.e3762 well that's the fun of modern comparative religious studies. In this age we have so much acces to material allover the world, we can see how much more interaction there has been then we ever imagined .There have been so many forgotten exchanges between the Chinese and Indians ,it's not impossible these two traditions you mention have influenced each other , and then developed into very different tradition, with some similar concepts like Yoni lingam /ying yan.

[@123iceboy]

I would describe myself as a secular Zen Buddhist, funnily enough I started just by reading about the 3 teachings in china and gradually being more interested in both daoism and buddhism. Which culminated in my buddhist practice becoming more Zen focused. A year after I started my journey a study buddy of mine at the University asked me how to become a buddhist, which I found odd. I explained how I just started my practice and that was it. However this question stayed with me when I went home and so I looked up if there was some form of Buddhist center and there was. At that point I had known about Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism, but no idea what Vajrayana was. Of course this was a Vajrayana center. I went there a few times, but was pretty put off by the over indulgence practiced after a meditation session. Okay I have to emphasize I was a vegetarian for 2 years when I became a buddhist. However the way they indulged in consumption of meat, cuddling, grooming and making out with multiple people, as well as frequent discussions about killing insects, because that couldn't be too bad for your karma, was all a bit much for me. I felt like I had walked into the center of a mara cult to be honest ^^. It just wasn't for me.

[@DougsDharma]

Interesting, thanks ice3oy! I think each center has its own peculiarities.

[@ndas9513]

Hi Doug. I’m loving these videos. I started with zen, mostly getting my teachings from Insight now and also exploring Navayana. These videos are so great for myself and to send to my friends who are drawn to Buddhist meditation. Do you have any where you explain the history of relative & absolute realities? Also Faith? Would love to see that. Thank you!

[@DougsDharma]

Sure, I have a couple of videos on the Two Truths, the first one is here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p33CpKamf9-Erpo , and a couple on faith as well, here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rqbLqqh-l5JsjpY and here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gJSuk3yBh8l8kNk

[@ndas9513]

@@DougsDharma ❤️🙏🏽🌷

[@uhtredsonofuhtred2867]

I've always been confused about all these different words in Buddhism and which of them belong to which school. Like Dzogchen, Vipassana, Mahamudra etc...

[@DougsDharma]

Yes, that's what 2500 years of history will do ... 😄

[@FlywheelAcademy]

Would very much enjoy a deep dive into the different Zen schools (Korea, Chinese, Japanese, etc)! Thank you Sir!

[@DougsDharma]

Thanks for the idea BossZen. It would require a great deal of additional study on my part to do that, but maybe someday. Have you seen my earlier video on the history of Zen? kzbin.info/www/bejne/ooOkiGB9g5mHi6M 🙂

[@RachelSmith-rq5ku]

This is so helpful! Thank you!

[@DougsDharma]

You're very welcome Rachel, thanks for your comment!