The Schools Of Buddhism

Buddhism is a vast undertaking. It contains within it hundreds of divergent schools, sects, and traditions, all of which present themselves at times as "The" Buddhism. Yet, if you are just stepping into all of this, where do you begin? How do you even start to learn which is what school? In this course, we will be covering the three main branches of Buddhism, what they are, where they come from, and what makes them different from one another. As well, we will be taking a look at some of the more individualized sects within those three main branches to show different aspects of how, even within a school of thought or tradition, the opinions and practices can be divergent. Yet, at the end of the day, they are all still a part of the Buddhist Tree of Knowledge. So, let's dive in and take a look at the Schools of Buddhism!

Leçon 1: Introduction & Early Buddhism

On Day 1, I will shortly introduce who I am and my background in meditation and Buddhism. After which we will be looking at the earliest form of Buddhism. The teachings, world, and Buddhism as taught and practiced during and shortly after the lifetime of Siddhartha Gautama, the founder of Buddhism, more commonly known as the Buddha and the Tathagata.

Leçon 2: Theravada

On Day 2, we will be taking a look at a School called Theravada, or “doctrine of the elders”. This is considered to be the more traditional and orthodox of the three main branches of Buddhism but did not arise until a few centuries after the death of the Buddha. We will talk about where it is most prominent and what separates it from the two other branches as a tradition.

Leçon 3: Mahayana

On Day 3, we will be taking a look at the Mahayana school of Buddhism, which is the second of three main branches. Mahayana, also called the “Great Vehicle” has a vast multiplicity of sects that it incompasses. We will look at the more general thought which brings them all together and in the coming lessons look more into the specifics of its popular iterations.

Leçon 4: Pure Land Buddhism

On Day 4, we will be looking at one of the most widely practiced forms of Mahayana Buddhism throughout Asia called Pure Land Buddhism. We will be taking a look at its specific practices, why it has such a large following and what separates it from the other schools of thought in the Mahayana Branch. All to help us get a better grasp on the vast array of schools of thought throughout Buddhism.

Leçon 5: Chan

On Day 5, we will be looking at a very interesting and influential school within Mahayana Buddhism called Chan. Chan itself is often unfamiliar to those in the west but its influences, practices, and teachings are incredibly far-reaching and influential to many of the things you hear today. You also probably are far more familiar with the big names in it than you thought! Let's dig in and see what makes it unique.

Leçon 6: Zen Buddhism

On Day 6, we will take a look at what is probably the most popular and familiar form of Buddhism to most people, Zen Buddhism. What is Zen Buddhism? We will be engaging with its two most prominent and influential schools of thought - Soto and Rinzai - what makes them different and what makes Zen Buddhism itself so unique and palatable to the rest of the world.

Leçon 7: Vajrayana

On Day 7, we will be moving away from Looking at Mahayana and look at the third and final branch of the Buddhist Tree: Vajrayana. There are two main schools of Vajrayana thought that we will be looking at in the coming days, but in today's lesson let's take a moment to step back and understand what makes Vajrayana different in general and why it sprouted and became its own branch.

Leçon 8: Tibetan Buddhism

On Day 8, we will be taking a look at what is perhaps the second most recognized form of Buddhism to people outside of Asia: Tibetan Buddhism. We will see why it is so uniquely Tibetan, its meditative practices, philosophical sects, and what separates it from the rest of the schools of thought. We will also be looking at the history of Tibetan Buddhism and why it is so widespread today.

Leçon 9: Shingon Buddhism

On Day 9, we will be looking at an incredibly interesting and unique form of Buddhism which is both Vajrayana and uniquely Japanese at the same time: Shingon Buddhism. We will look at its practices, beliefs, and how it came to be. As well, we will look at why and how it differentiates itself from the rest of both Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhism.

Leçon 10: Other Schools & Where To Go From Here

On the final day of the course, we will be taking a step back and looking at the ways that we can take the information and knowledge learned in this course and apply it to our everyday lives. Just as we can be open and genuinely curious about spiritual things we need to be open to the chance of investing within ourselves and using the vast teachings and practices of the world to work together to make not only our own world but the world at large a better more mindful place.

Reviews

I am grateful you prepared and shared this course. Even in its simplest format I learned something new. You see, gravitating toward and learning from Teachers on this platform is not explicitly divulged what "school" of Buddhism we are learning via them so thanks to this course and to YOU I now have clarity. Thank you for your guidance.

I thoroughly enjoyed this course. Thank you so much for this information. 🙏 I look forward to more offerings from you.

This was a very helpful overview. I feel like I have a much better understanding of the basic differences between the more prominent schools of Buddhism now.

A very helpful course, must take for someone just starting to learn about Buddhism

Very informative and enjoyable course. I truly appreciate learning about some of the different branches of Buddhism presented here. For me, the material in the course was presented in a manner that I was able to follow and understand, which was refreshing. Thank you so much, Silas. I look forward to your other courses on Insight Timer.

Amazing! This was a clear, concise, thoughtful, and emotional course. I highly recommend it fir anyone with an interest in Buddhism.

Very clear summary of the lineages of Buddhism told with kindness and invitation to the listener. Really beautiful! Thank you.

Highly recommend this course for an excellent overview of the different schools of Buddhism. Listen more than once, pause and take notes. Enjoy and thank you 🙏🏼

An information filled course. I'll probably listen again. It is well worth your time.

Silas presented a wonderful primer on Buddhism. I’m grateful for his easy listening and brief lessons.

This short course gave me a very good foundational understanding of Buddhism. I am still full of questions but understand more where I want to focus. Silas is a very good speaker and I enjoy his teachings. 🙏

A wonderful overview and now i have a starting point to go explore deeper!

Great introductory course that leads to infinite possibility in understanding and developing a practice.

Such an accessible, enjoyable and informative course. Thank you for sharing your knowledge Silas 🙏🏾

A great intro, history and overview of the three main Buddhist lineages and their practices. Silas presents relevant information in a concise yet accessible (i.e., graspable) manner. My takeaway from this course is a clearer understanding of the foundation upon which my own practice is being established. Thank You, Silas, for the time, energy and love you put into the creation of this 10-day course for new and intermediate level practitioners like me. With a deep bow and a grateful heart. Peace, my brother!

Thank you very for sharing your knowledge! 🙏🏼💕🌷

An excellent introduction to Buddhism. Silas is a wonderful teacher who explains things simply and clearly, at a pace which makes each concept easier to take in and grasp. I so appreciate his calm voice and approach to teaching. I feel that I have a much clearer understanding of Buddhism and am excited to learn more!

This is one of the top three courses on Insight for me. Specifically, it conveys a very dense amount of knowledge to provide a survey of Budhism paths for the serious Seeker. Interesting, the presenter only injects their personal views rarely, near the end - in an authentic, organic manner.

I wish Mr. Day lived near me - I would love him to be my personal mentor or Friend.

Great onramp to Buddhism though I ended feeling confused about this world that I thought I understood a little bit. Probably will need to listen two or three times to be less confused.

Thank you Silas, this course helped me to take the basics of the main branches of Bhudism