There are so many kinds of modern Buddhism, how to choose?

　

    In modern times, Buddhism in the world is divided into three categories. Although they are all called Buddhism, the theories and practice methods are very different. The reason for this is that when the Buddha was alive, he would explain different teachings according to the abilities of those who heard the Buddhist Dharma. After more than two thousand years of circulation and evolution, various schools have gradually formed. In fact, at the end of Buddhist practice, it is all in the same state —— that is, becoming a Buddha. Maybe different schools have different theories and methods of practice, but all roads lead to Rome, as long as it is Buddhist Dharma, no matter what kind of practice, one can eventually become a Buddha. .

　

    Modern Buddhism can be roughly divided into three types: Theravada Buddhism, Mahayana Buddhism and Vajrayana Buddhism. After a Buddhist beginner has been in contact with the Buddhist Dharma for a period of time, he can continue to practice in depth according to their own interests or choose a school that corresponds to them. Of course, it's not that you can't change the sect of practice after you choose, and the contents of these sects are not completely different, and they still have something in common; however, if you can correctly find the Buddhist sect that suits you, you can reduce the waste of energy and time.

　

    First, introduce Theravada Buddhism: it is prevalent in Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam and so on, and its practice method focuses on the practice of personal relief, and seldom mentions the concept of saving sentient beings. Compared with other sects, Theravada Buddhism places more emphasis on meditation and precepts. Its practice theories are: the Four Noble Truths (suffering, gathering, cessation, and Path) and the four mindfulness, etc. Its goal is to cut off all annoyances, relieve from the cycle of birth-and-death (Nirvana), and achieve the state of non-self of an arahant. If someone hears the Dharma such as reincarnation is suffering, relief from birth-and-death, contemplation of body’s impurity and impermanence, etc., and feels they are very correspondent for them, or some people like to practice the methods of four meditations, eight concentration, emptiness and non-self, etc., then they are possibly suitable for the practice of Theravada Buddhism.

　

    Secondly, introduce Mahayana Buddhism: it is prevalent in China, Korea, Japan, Malaysia, Taiwan and so on. Its practice method focuses on the bodhisattva way of benefiting oneself and also others, and is keen to liberate oneself and also others; it considers that “vowing to liberate all sentient beings'' is a part of the process of becoming a Buddha. It emphasizes the various states of Buddhist theories and views, and calls them "enlightenment". In contrast, the practice of keeping precepts and meditation is less important than that of Theravada Buddhism. Its practice theories include: the idea of Emptiness, the idea of the middle way (all things are produced from conditions and their nature is the Emptiness), non-self of Dharma, all things are mind-only, all things are illusionary, and the idea of Hidden Buddhahood, etc. Its goal is to "prepare for becoming a Buddha in the future". The so-called “knowing the mind and seeing the Nature”, the forbearance of neither arising nor elimilating, ten levels of Bodhisattvas, etc., are all stages of Mahayana Buddhism. If someone hears the Dharma such as "the Nature of all things are Emptiness, “all conditioned things are like dreams, illusions, bubbles, and reflected images" and feel that they correspond to them or can quickly believe and accept them, then they are likely to be suitable for practicing Mahayana Buddhism.

　

    Finally, introduce Vajrayana Buddhism: it is prevalent in Tibet, Mongolia, Nepal, Bhutan and so on. Its practice method belongs to Tantra, and its main feature is the secret teaching of Tantra. Its highest practice method —— "Highest Yoga Tantra" has the so-called “practice of male and female", which can only be passed on to those who are suitable for practice through inheritance and this adds a lot of mystery to Vajrayana Buddhism. Vajrayana Buddhism has a lot in common with Mahayana Buddhism in the early stage of practice, so there is a saying of "from the Mahayana to the vajrayana'', but when it comes to advanced practice, it begins to have obvious differences with Mahayana Buddhism. Its goal of practice is "becoming a Buddha in current life". To practice Vajrayana Buddhism, one must pay attention to "the preparation for practice", that is, practitioner needs to cultivate good merits and lay a solid foundation of the Mahayana teachings, and then, through empowerment and the guidance of masters, he can further practice high-level teachings; high-level Vajrayana Dharma is only suitable for those who are excellent to practice. Its practicing method is to contemplate Yidam (istadevata), Mandala, Prana, Nadi, Bindu, and so on by Samapatti and finally achieve the goal of "becoming a Buddha in current life". If you have not cultivated the preparation and determination of practice, and start to practice high-level Vajrayana Dharma at will, you will have great possibility to do harm to yourself.

　

    In addition to the above-mentioned three schools of Buddhism, the "Pure Land" method is a branch of modern Buddhism which should be explained separately. Why is it called "Pure Land"? According to the teachings of Buddha Shakyamuni, there is another Buddha in the west of the universe called "Amitabha (Amita Buddha)". He established a Buddha land called "Extremely Happy Land" in the west. Due to Amitabha's vow, the land of extreme happiness he established is a pure buddha land which is dignified, happy, and without pain, and Amitabha Buddha also vowed: As long as the beings in the ten directions of the universe hear that "there is Amitabha Buddha's Extremely Happy Land” and they sincerely recite the name of Amitabha Buddha and wish to be reborn in the Extremely Happy Land, then after this person dies, he can be reborn in the Extremely Happy Land. The practice of this Buddhist method is different from other schools. The main practicing method  is to concentrate on reciting the name of Amitabha Buddha, and its goal is to be reborn in the Extremely Happy Land. Buddha Shakyamuni once said, “The Pure Land method  is the shortcut to becoming a Buddha." As long as one is reborn there, one can immediately be free from suffering and attain happiness until becoming  a Budda; he can slowly cultivate and achieve all other practices in the Extremely Happy Land, no matter the practice of “non-self of a person” or “non-self of Dharma”. In the era of the end of the Buddhist Dharma and the "Bad time of five turbidities” in which we live, the Pure Land method may be an expedient choice.

　

    More than 2,000 years ago, Buddha Shakyamuni discovered the truth of life and the universe, became a Buddha, and left precious Buddhist doctrines to teach the beings the way of becoming a Buddha. No matter which sect of Buddhism we practice, it can make our life worthwhile. Friends who are still watching and waiting, stop wasting your time, and from now on, make up your mind to move forward on the path of becoming a Buddha that is free from suffering and attains happiness!