Removing The Sheen From Buddhism

[acharya]

Quote

Sukhothai wrote:

Why did the Chinese not follow Hinduism but follow Buddhism.

This was answered recently by Dr Subramaniam Swamy.



THe original Buddhism in in India is Theravada -

Theravada (Pāli: थेरवाद theravāda, Sanskrit: स्थविरवाद sthaviravāda); literally, "the Teaching of the Elders" or "the Ancient Teaching", is the oldest surviving Buddhist school. It was founded in India. It is relatively conservative, and generally closest to early Buddhism,[1] and for many centuries has been the predominant religion of Sri Lanka (about 70% of the population[2]) and most of continental Southeast Asia (Cambodia, Laos, Burma, Thailand). Theravada is also practiced by minorities in parts of southwest China (by the Shan and Tai ethnic groups), Vietnam (by the Khmer Krom), Bangladesh (by the ethnic groups of Baruas, Chakma, and Magh), Malaysia and Indonesia, while recently gaining popularity in Singapore and the Western World. Today Theravada Buddhists number over 100 million worldwide, and in recent decades Theravada has begun to take root in the West and in the Buddhist revival in India.[3]





China adopted the Mahayana Buddhism which is more similar to Hinduism. In practice Mahayana is very similar to Hinduism practice and hence Chinese from the historic times did not see any difference between the Hinduism and the Buddhism they were introduced to. [size="5"]So if somebody start talking about difference between Hinduism and Buddhism and talks one is superior to other then he is faking it and does not know the Indian traditions and Dharma.

Colonial view point wants to make such comparison and highlight differences. Western view point are also to absorb what they want from these traditions and claim it is superior. Fractal recursivity makes the Indians to see the western view point and start talking and believing like them[/size]



Mahāyāna Buddhism originated in India.

The Mahāyāna tradition is the larger of the two major traditions of Buddhism existing today. According to the teachings of Mahāyāna traditions, "Mahāyāna" also refers to the path of aspiring to liberate all beings to Nirvāṇa, also called "Bodhisattvayāna", or the "Bodhisattva Vehicle."[1][2]

In the course of its history, Mahāyāna Buddhism spread from India to various other Asian countries such as China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, and Mongolia. Major traditions of Mahāyāna Buddhism today include Zen (Chán), Pure Land, Tiantai, Nichiren, and Esoteric Buddhism (Shingon, Tibetan Buddhism).

The Chinese monk Yijing who visited India in the 7th century CE, distinguishes Mahāyāna from Hīnayāna as follows:[15]

Both adopt one and the same Vinaya, and they have in common the prohibitions of the five offences, and also the practice of the Four Noble Truths. Those who venerate the bodhisattvas and read the Mahayana sūtras are called the Mahāyānists, while those who do not perform these are called the Hīnayānists.