| Just like there are many different | | | | The second type of Buddhism that is |
| denominations of Christianity - | | | | mentioned is Eastern Buddhism, also |
| including Protestant churches and | | | | known as Mahayana Buddhism. This sect |
| Catholicism, the different types of | | | | not only teaches the Pali Canon (which |
| Buddhism reflect the way that this | | | | is the religious text of Theraveda |
| religion is practiced. | | | | Buddhism) but also includes additional |
| Buddhism is a dharmic religion and form | | | | texts and beliefs. In order to reach |
| of spirituality that revolves around | | | | Nirvana, Mahayana Buddhists believe that |
| certain beliefs and practices - all of | | | | a person must practice universal |
| which are aimed at bringing the | | | | compassion, which is the altruistic |
| participant closer to Buddhahood - the | | | | quest of the Bodhisattva to attain the |
| highest level of spiritual awareness. | | | | "Awakened Mind" of Buddhahood. Mahayana |
| However, because the religion has gained | | | | Buddhism also has a level of mysticism |
| followers in several different parts of | | | | involved. This type of Buddhism is |
| the world (mostly in Asia), the way that | | | | practiced in China, Korea and Japan, as |
| Buddhism is practiced has split into | | | | well as parts of other Asian countries. |
| several different sects. All of the | | | | The third of the different types of |
| Buddhist sects believe certain things in | | | | Buddhism is Northern or Tibetan |
| common: all accept Buddha as their | | | | Buddhism. Tibetan Buddhism is also |
| teacher, use the Four Noble Truths and | | | | considered to be a type of Mahayana |
| the Eightfold Path in their teachings, | | | | Buddhism, but it also embraces other |
| and believe that Buddhahood is the | | | | teachings, texts and practices that are |
| highest attainment. | | | | not seen in the Eastern type of Mahayana |
| Most scholars divide the different types | | | | Buddhism. Tibetan Buddhism is also |
| of Buddhism into three sections. The | | | | sometimes called Tantric Buddhism or |
| first of these is Southern Buddhism, or | | | | Vajrayana. This type of Buddhism uses |
| Theraveda Buddhism. The word Theraveda | | | | both the Mahayana and Theraveda |
| is a word in the Pali language (thought | | | | scriptures, as well as a number of |
| to be spoken by the Buddha) that means | | | | Buddhist Tantras - all of which are |
| "the Doctrine of the Elders". The | | | | aimed at attaining Buddhahood in just |
| biggest aim in the Theraveda practice is | | | | one lifetime instead of requiring many |
| to use meditation to train the mind, and | | | | reincarnations. |
| to encourage freedom of the mind from | | | | While all of the different types of |
| suffering. This freedom from suffering | | | | Buddhism have the same goal and same |
| will allow you to reach the greatest | | | | basis for their beliefs, the way that |
| spiritual goal - Nirvana. Theraveda | | | | Buddhahood is obtained varies from sect |
| Buddhism is the only surviving school | | | | to sect. It is important to understand |
| from the earliest years of Buddhism, and | | | | the way that each sect works before |
| it is mostly practiced today in Sri | | | | choosing to practice a type of Buddhism. |
| Lanka, Laos and Cambodia. | | | | |