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Major Doctrines
There are three major recognized doctrines in Buddhism: Theravada ("The Speech of the Elders"), Mahayana ("The Great Vehicle"), and Vajrayana ("The Diamond Vehicle").
Theravada was the initial teaching of the elderly disciples and is believed to be the most conservative of all doctrines, keeping the closest with Buddha's own teachings and traditions.
The Mahayana stemmed from the liberal sect that broke away in the incipient phases of Buddhism. The teachings of this sect showed that all levels of Buddhist enlightenment were readily available for other Buddhist believers, including some phases that were believed to have been reached only by Buddha himself, such as the Buddhahood. Following this and through the removal of Gautama's exceptionality, it was clear through Mahayana, that there were more Buddhas in the world, all having reached a similar level of enlightenment and referred to as Bodhisattvas. The ways that the principles and paths for Buddhists would be respected was also diversified with the Mahayana.
The Vajrayana is the most esoteric of the three major doctrines in Buddhism. This doctrine brings back exceptionality for Buddha and emphasizes that the means of reaching enlightened spirits have only been shared with a very small community of his closest disciples.
Background Philosophy
Buddhist philosophy is based on several essential beliefs, as promoted by Buddha. These include the Truth of Suffering, where as the entire life cycle is a continuous suffering ending in death; the Truth of Cause (suffering caused by desire and ignorance); the Truth of Cessation ("suffering can be ended if the causes are removed") and the Truth of the Way. Moving through this and through different philosophical Buddhist doctrines, the Buddhist philosophy developed to promote an indulgent Middle Way of philosophical belief,...
At the same time, it has thoroughly influenced the belief of the Western world after its discovery, with more and more Westerners approaching Buddhist beliefs.
Bibliography
1. Boeree, George.1999. The History of Buddhism. On the Internet at http://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/buddhahist.html.Last retrieved on September 24, 2008
2. Lama Surya Das. 1998. Awakening the Buddha Within: Tibetan Wisdom for the Western World. Doubleday.
3. Buddhism - the Buddha and the Fundamental Doctrines of Buddhism, Formation of Theravada Buddhism, Mahayana Buddhist Doctrines and Traditions. On the Internet at http://science.jrank.org/pages/7533/Buddhism.html.Last retrieved on September 24, 2008
4. Ross, Kelley. 2007. The Basic Teachings of Buddhism. On the Internet at http://www.friesian.com/buddhism.htm.Last retrieved on September 24, 2008
Boeree, George.1999. The History of Buddhism. On the Internet at http://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/buddhahist.html.Last retrieved on September 24, 2008
Lama Surya Das. 1998. Awakening the Buddha Within: Tibetan Wisdom for the Western World. Doubleday.
Buddhism - the Buddha and the Fundamental Doctrines of Buddhism, Formation of Theravada Buddhism, Mahayana Buddhist Doctrines and Traditions. On the Internet at http://science.jrank.org/pages/7533/Buddhism.html.Last retrieved on September 24, 2008
Ross, Kelley. 2007. The Basic Teachings of Buddhism. On the Internet at http://www.friesian.com/buddhism.htm.Last retrieved on September 24, 2008
Bibliography
1. Boeree, George.1999. The History of Buddhism. On the Internet at http://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/buddhahist.html.Last retrieved on September 24, 2008
2. Lama Surya Das. 1998. Awakening the Buddha Within: Tibetan Wisdom for the Western World. Doubleday.
3. Buddhism - the Buddha and the Fundamental Doctrines of Buddhism, Formation of Theravada Buddhism, Mahayana Buddhist Doctrines and Traditions. On the Internet at http://science.jrank.org/pages/7533/Buddhism.html.Last retrieved on September 24, 2008
4. Ross, Kelley. 2007. The Basic Teachings of Buddhism. On the Internet at http://www.friesian.com/buddhism.htm.Last retrieved on September 24, 2008
Boeree, George.1999. The History of Buddhism. On the Internet at http://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/buddhahist.html.Last retrieved on September 24, 2008
Buddhism - the Buddha and the Fundamental Doctrines of Buddhism, Formation of Theravada Buddhism, Mahayana Buddhist Doctrines and Traditions. On the Internet at http://science.jrank.org/pages/7533/Buddhism.html.Last retrieved on September 24, 2008
Ross, Kelley. 2007. The Basic Teachings of Buddhism. On the Internet at http://www.friesian.com/buddhism.htm.Last retrieved on September 24, 2008
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