3 min read•july 25, 2024
Early Buddhism saw the emergence of diverse schools, each interpreting the Buddha's teachings uniquely. These schools, including , , and , developed distinct doctrines and practices that shaped the landscape of Buddhist philosophy.
The schools diverged on key concepts like the ideal, nature of Buddha, and interpretation of (no-self). This led to rich philosophical developments in areas like metaphysics, epistemology, and logic, influencing Buddhist thought for centuries to come.
Theravada School flourished in Southeast Asian countries (Sri Lanka, Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos) emphasizing conservative interpretation of Buddha's teachings
Mahayana School spread across East Asia (China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam) developing more expansive interpretations and new philosophical concepts
Vajrayana School evolved in Tibet and surrounding regions (Mongolia, Bhutan, Nepal) incorporating tantric practices and esoteric teachings
Sarvastivada School influenced Northwest India and Central Asia propounding the existence of in past, present, and future
School emerged as an offshoot of Sarvastivada in Kashmir rejecting the concept of and emphasizing momentariness
Bodhisattva ideal diverges with Theravada focusing on () while Mahayana emphasizes bodhisattva path and
Nature of Buddha differs as Theravada views as human teacher whereas Mahayana sees with multiple manifestations
Scriptures vary with Theravada relying on as primary text while Mahayana incorporates additional sutras and expanded canon
Philosophical approach contrasts as Theravada maintains conservative interpretation of original teachings while Mahayana develops more expansive and adaptable interpretations
Practices differ with Theravada emphasizing and individual meditation while Mahayana incorporates greater lay practice and devotional elements
Core concept of anatta rejects permanent, unchanging self or soul and analyzes five aggregates () as constituents of human experience
Theravada interpretation adheres strictly to no-self doctrine analyzing momentary mental and physical phenomena
Mahayana interpretation extends anatta to () and explores interdependent origination () as basis for no-self
Pudgalavada school posited inexpressible self () to reconcile rebirth and karma challenging mainstream interpretations
Yogacara school introduced (store consciousness) as basis for continuity of experience while maintaining no-self doctrine
tradition developed concept of Buddha-nature as potential for enlightenment in all beings reconciling no-self with innate enlightenment
literature systematically analyzed reality and mental phenomena developing detailed taxonomies of mental factors and dharmas
Sarvastivada metaphysics proposed theory of dharmas as fundamental units of reality and concept of svabhava (intrinsic nature) of dharmas
Sautrantika epistemology emphasized direct perception and inference as valid means of knowledge and developed momentariness doctrine and theory of atomism
philosophy, founded by , critiqued essentialist metaphysics and introduced distinguishing conventional and ultimate reality
Yogacara idealism advanced mind-only () philosophy and three natures theory of reality exploring the nature of consciousness and perception
tradition developed Buddhist logic and epistemology with and contributing significantly to valid cognition theory and debate methodology