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[Rob_Hugo@PortNW]

Which Buddhism does one see more clearly
Mahayana or Theravada

[Anonymous]

I'm not 100% sure, but I think Mahayana (or "Greater Vehicle") Buddhism is by far the more common form practiced today. It's the basis for Zen/Chan and Tibetan Buddhism, among many other sects. It's more salvationist than Theraveda, especially in the "Pure Land" variant. Some forms also venerate relics (like those housed in the stupas from Ashoka's time in India). The main place still practicing Theraveda Buddhism is Sri Lanka. If you want to learn more, you might find the Berzin Institute web site interesting. Berzin was a scholar of Buddhism, particularly Tibetan Buddhism (so you'll definitely get that viewpoint), but it does summarize many major differences between the different forms of Buddhism.

http://www.berzinarchives.com/web/x/nav/n.html_505172737.html

Another helpful resource is an interactive timeline of Buddhism found on the website Buddhanet.

http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/history/timelines.htm

Hope that helps!
Cathy Atwell

[clay dube]

Sean,

I'm not sure what you mean by this question. Mahayana Buddhism is more common in East Asia than Theravada.

[Anonymous]

Which form of Buddhism is most commonly practiced in America? About six years ago a friend, who has since passed away, invited me to attend her religious affiliation. She practiced Buddhism. Being a Baptist, I knew nothing about Buddhism, but I went anyway. I actually attended two services with her. I came away with no emotional or spiritual attachment. Frankly, I didn't understand the chanting, the symbolism, the meaning, the attraction ... I came away unimpressed, undaunted, and uninterested. I didn't get it. I kind of thought they were all just a little bit crazy. I'm not trying to be rude. What was it that I didn't understand and what should I have gotten out of that experience. In other words, why did my friend take me there?

[Anonymous]

I'm not sure which Buddism is practiced here. Our text, East Asia makes an interesting point on Buddism. It states that Buddism became so popular because it had something to offer everyone. Buddism emphasizes kindness, charity and the preservation of life and salvation.

[Anonymous]

Great website. My wife has been into Buddhism for a long time. I shared the site with her a few weeks ago and she has spent hours reading the excerpts on the site.

I think that this can be a very useful site if you are trying to explain Buddism to your students at any level. 😀

[Anonymous]

What is the protocol when a student requests information about let's say Buddhism, for specific religious reasons, i.e. they want to convert? Is it appropriate to offer them the web sources or other materials we've collected from our studies?

[Anonymous]

I don't think it is ever appropriate to give students any information if they approach you and tell you that they may want to convert.

If a student were to approach me and ask for information because he or she is writing a paper on Buddhism, then I might share the info.

You are just asking for parent phone calls if you give a student the info knowing that he or she is going to convert.

[Anonymous]

I agree 100% that it is not our job to interfer with students belief systems. My number one rule for discussions on religion is that they may not ask me what is true or what I believe. I allways tell them to ask their parents. I would be very upset if someone other than myself discussed a change in belief systems with my child. There is a separation of church and state for a reason.

I had a difficult time last year, because my partner was teaching creationism in science, while I was teaching evolution/ early man in history. This was very confusing to my students. I also refer to a lot of controversal topics as theories. This keeps parents that happen to be creationists happy. I try to never tell my students that anything they or their families believe is wrong. They also do not know my personal religious beliefs.

[Anonymous]

Wow, that is a tough spot to be in. Some people might have a problem with you teaching Evolution to your students. I know my Catholic Grandmother was very upset when she found out that I was learning about evolution in school.

She looks at teaching evolution as trying to disrupt my belief system. I don't know if you won't encounter parents who feel the same way about you teaching your students about Buddhism. I do think that your philosophy about not asking me "what is true" is a good way to go. [Edit by="jfannon on Jul 29, 10:07:22 AM"][/Edit]

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