Zen Buddhism
Zen buddhism is a very "hands on" school of buddhism in that there is virtually no worship, no symbolic rituals, just pure unadulterated mental clarity. Zen buddhism focuses around the Buddhist idea that all things are temporary and we must always be in the present. Zen Buddhism also claims to be neither philosophy nor religion, but rather the act of just understanding what truly is in the world. Zen is to simply be alive, zen is meditation. Zen buddhism does not put a lot of importance in following any practice but meditation, however does go by the eightfold path and the four noble truths
Theravada Buddhism
Theravada Buddhism is mainly found in Southern Asia, in countries like Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Thailand, Laos and Myanmar. The name means "the teaching of the elders" in Sanskrit. This school of Buddhism claims that it is the closest to the teachings of the original Buddha, and that it is the purest form of Buddhism.
Theravada Buddhism, , does not worship nor recognize any supernatural entities. Siddartha Gautama became the Buddha, the Awakened One, and since his death the only contact with him is through his teachings. Theravadists believe that the path to enlightenment is a very personal journey, without the help of any sort of deity or supernatural being.
Theravada Buddhism is a school which is said to be one of the two main type of schools, Mahayana and Theravada.
Theravada Buddhists believe in the eightfold path, the four noble truths, and something known as the 10 hindrances. The 10 hindrances are known as follows:
- The belief in a permanent personality, ego
- Doubt, extreme skepticism
- Attachment to rites, rituals, and ceremonies
- Attachment to sense desires
- Ill-will, anger
- Craving for existence in the Form world (heavenly realms)
- Craving for existence in the Formless world (heavenly realms)
- Conceit
- Restlessness
- Ignorance
Both Theravada and Zen do not define the existence or nature of any Supreme Being or Creator. Zen Buddhists as well as Theravada Buddhists regularly visit temple to meditate, the only difference being that Theravada Buddhists leave donations for the monks/nuns and zen Buddhists leave a donation for the monks/nuns as well as the Buddha. The two schools both practice the religious law of dharma, and their place of worship is typically a Temple or Pagoda. Both are Dharmic religions which allow to follow more than one religion. Zen Buddhists and Theravada Buddhists may practice any day. The essential belief that suffering is the origin of desire is a similar tenet .
The largest and perhaps most substantial difference between the two lies on their stance on the Buddha. Theravada Buddhists believe that Siddartha Gautama was the Buddha, the Enlightened one, and not he is gone forever leaving only his teachings behind. This is how the Buddha explained it in the pali canon, enlightenment is wholly the effort of the student. In Zen Buddhism, they follow Gautama Buddha and believe that he exists in a spiritual form and can answer prayers and help people. Buddha can help the student find enlightenment, but this path is still mostly the effort of the student. Theravada Buddhism is based solely in the language pali, whereas Zen is based in pali, sanskrit, as well as chinese. Theravada relies solely on the most ancient texts which are the direct word of Buddha whereas there are many Mahayana texts accumulated after the death of Buddha, and commentaries by Zen teachers. Some schools use the ancient text as well but do not recognize its authority over Mahayana. Holy days for the Theravadists are Wasak, Buddha’s Birthday and the Theavadan New Year, wherease the Zen Holy days include Wesak, Sangha Day, Chinese New Year, and Bodhi day. Theravada originates from northern India/Nepal however Zen Buddhism originated in China. The most valuable attribute in Theravada is the practice of detachment, however in Zen it is the practice of compassion.
The schools of Theravada and Zen seem to be more different than similar in many aspects of the religion, however both maintain basic Buddhist ideals.
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