Using the following sections of reading from the World's Wisdom please summarize each of these sections based on what you read.
Read each of the excerpts / notes and describe / explain the concept of each of the following according to the readings and examples given.
Main Ideas of Buddhism:
Anatta (pg 68)
This concept is similar to the concept of Maya. As humans, we do not have a soul that carries on into the after life or further reincarnations. Who we are is not permanent and we are not defined by our body or physical belongings because these things don't last. Many things in life appear that they hold much meaning, but after we look into them further, we realize there is nothing that lasts except for the actions we take that influence the future. Novak uses an example of a bubble. It appears whole and full, but on the inside there is only air. It is made up of nothing but air, though it appears as more.
Right Mindfulness (Satupatthana Sutta) (pg. 71)
This Sutta text was said to be uttered by the Buddha himself and is like an instruction manual for practicing Buddhists. However, like an instruction manual, it is not necessarily read for pleasure, through it is invaluable when in need of consultation, direction or advice. In general, a sutta is a text spoken by the Buddha himself.
- The Four Foundations:
These four foundations are the first step on the path to renunciation of desire, before one can even begin the eightfold path.
Awareness of the Body
There are five ways the individual can become aware of their body:
1. Watching in-and-out breathing. While in a still sitting position with legs crossed, the individual must control every intake and exhalation.
2. Awareness of the four postures: While sitting, walking, standing or lying down, the individual must be aware of what every part of his body is doing.
3. Mindfulness and clear comprehension of bodily acts. Awareness of the body through every daily action such as eating, drinking, sleeping, speaking and being silent etc.
4. Contemplation of loathsomeness. The individual thinks about his body from head to toe, complete with imperfections. It is what it is, and this reality must be accepted.
5. Cemetery meditations. The realization and acceptance that when we die, our bodies will one day decay and we will be come like the bodies in a cemetery. This reflects the concept of anatta and impermanence.
Awareness of Sensation
The individual must be able to step back from their emotions and not get caught up. Then, the individual may realize, " I have an agreeable sensation," or "I have a disagreeable sensation" it is like stepping away from our thoughts and feelings and looking at ourselves from a lens outside our body, from a second perspective. In this way we may be able to more clearly see our sensations and react in a more controlled and thoughtful manner.
Awareness of Mind
This is the awareness that states are impermanent and moods, like anything in this world, are constantly changing. Therefore there is not such thing as a "bad" or "greedy" or "perfect" person. We are all shades of gray with changing states of being and actions. This influences who we are from moment to moment, as the person we were one second ago no longer exists, and we are some one new.
Awareness of Mind - Objects
The five hindrances are: lust, anger, sloth, restlessness and mental worry, doubting. One must be aware when they are mentally experiencing one of these hindrances, so the hindrance may be overcome. Otherwise, we may get caught up in this hindrance, and it may manifest, such as is with anger.
The five groups of existence (skandhas): materiality, sensation, perception, moods and thoughts. These groups of existence divide every physical and mental factors of our being. They are the planes in which we live and commit actions.
3. Description of Nibbana / Nirvana (pg. 75)
End of Karma: Nirvana is the end of the cycle of the essences of rebirth, and the end of craving and attachment.
Eradication of the Three Poisons: the end of greed, hate and delusion
Deliverance of the Heart: the goal of reaching Enlightenment is not for an award, or to achieve honor, morality or concentration. The goal is to achieve the deliverance of the heart.
End of Old Age and Death: because Nirvana is the end of the cycle of all rebirths, it is therefore the end of old age and dying as well. These two things may also be seen as suffering in life, and Nirvana is also therefore the end of all suffering.
It Is Real: There is another entire state of being in which there is nothing. It is the opposite of the world we live in today of the existing, being and real. It is the unreal, unborn, uncreated. These factors make it possible to escape into Enlightenment from the defined world we live in now.
4. Description of Arahant / Arahat (76)
An arahant is basically the same thing as a Buddha, but the term Buddha is more specific to someone who has rediscovered the path without the aid of another.
Finished: an arahant has achieved all there is to achieve in life. He has learned everything and there is nothing more for him to do. He is steadfast in his actions and being, and now, cannot be swayed from his position.
Happy Indeed: Because arahants have achieved Enlightenment, they do not suffer anymore from greed or selfishness. Therefore they are eternally happy.
Mahayana Buddhism:
5. Mahayana Buddhism - How is Mahayana broken down into 3 key innovations (describe each)
As everything in this world changes and morphs, so does religion. Buddhism has modeled this fact in the split between Mahayana Buddhism and Theravada Buddhism. Mahayana Buddhism developed as believers looked back at the original doctrines and rewrote them to become more universal to everyone and that, in their eyes, represented the ideals of the Buddha.
- Emptiness (pg 77 - 80)
Because of the principle of dependent origination, nothing in this world came into being on its own. It is a result of events leading up to it which influenced its birth. Therefore, it is empty of being. The only meaning/significance it has is evaluated by its past or by the future of things to come as a result of it. This also has to do with worship of a god, or Buddha. Mahayana Buddhists believe even core doctrines like the Eightfold path, the Four Noble truths, and Buddha's teachings are empty of being. They hold the importance of their influence and how they came into being. Also, we are empty of being, and therefore are already Buddha-nature. Because we are empty of being there is nothing that really holds significance in our lives. We hold superficial significance to things in our lives when we, ourselves, are already empty of being. The only things that matter in relation to ourselves are the events that created our being and the events we initiate that create the future. This concept can only be learned on one's own.
Those who seek Nirvana are to Be Laughed At: Because everything in the world is already empty of being, everything is Enlightenment, therefore seeking Enlightenment is pointless because it is all around us.
The Heart Sutra: Because everything is empty of being and is therefore Enlightened, wisdom is also Enlightenment and is therefore perfect. Many Buddhas throughout time have relied on the perfection of knowledge and truth to help them attain Enlightenment.
- Bodhisattva ideal (pg. 80 - 82)
A bodhisattva is someone who renounces entry into nirvana to help others on their spiritual path. However, Novak states that the bodhisattva must realize that there is no one to save and no one to do the saving.
From the Diamond Sutra: A Bodhisattva may aid people in their journey to nirvana, but ultimately it is their decision and actions that let them achieve nirvana. Also, a Bodhisattva may not have the notion of his own "being" because everything flows together in life and is indistinct from things before it or after it. He holds no importance on his own, and the concept of being is therefore useless.
The Infinite Compassion of the Bodhisattva: the Bodhisattva temporarily adopts the illusion of "I" to save those who are still unaware of their own absence of self, and to help them attain nirvana through this realization. A Bodhisattva takes on the burden of all the suffering of humankind, and helps each individual escape the cycle of Samsara. A Bodhisattva must not use others for personal merit. The mentality behind the decision to become a Bodhisattva is that it is better for one person to suffer than for many people to suffer.
The Difference Between Bodhisattvas and Other (Non-Mahayana) Buddhists: Other Buddhist sects are sometimes seen to not share their wisdom of Enlightenment to others because they believe that radiating Enlightenment to others would be futile because there are too many people for one person to affect. However, Mahayana Bodhisattvas enlighten others like the rising sun on earth, and have achieved Enlightenment, and only postponed their entrance into nirvana until their death (without rebirth).
- Devotional Buddhism (pg. 82 - 86)
Buddha's real gift to the world was his timeless saving power, or dharmakaya. Because of its timelessness, any point in time is equidistant from it as another point. Therefore, Buddha's saving power can be activated at any point in time. Also, Buddha names an omnipresent reality, which can manifest into countless Buddhas around the world ready at a moment's notice to help those who seek advice through prayer or devotion.
From the Lotus Sutra: This is an excerpt from the Lotus Sutra, and states that Buddha is a rain cloud of universal grace. He preaches grace to all, and refreshes the entire world, without borders or distinctions of race, creed, wealth etc. The last line is "and then, refreshed, just like the plants, the world will burst forth into blossoms"
The Buddha Saves all Beings and They Reach Salvation in Many Ways: This passage states that there are an unlimited number of ways to achieve Buddhahood. Some given examples are meeting former buddhas, learning the law and then practicing charity, and creating images of Buddha.
Rewards for Devotion to the Buddha: If one does not show devotion to Buddha, one can be reborn blind or lame. Therefore, it is important to show thanks in the form of devotion to the Buddha for showing Buddhists how to achieve nirvana. If one shows devotion, one will be rewarded in nirvana with a beautiful palace and kingdom.
The Pure Land of Amitabha, the Buddha of Infinite Light: In Mahayana Buddhism, there is a Buddha, Amitabha, the Buddha of Infinite Light, who provides a world, the Pure Land of Amitabha, after death, which is much like paradise. Those who have lived a faithful life may enter this world, and then when they are reborn are closer to achieving nirvana in their next life because of the aid of Amitabha. This world helps them focus on the right path to salvation. If they vow to be true, devotional and focus on eradicating desire, they will be admitted into nirvana.
Honen's Teachings on the Nembutsu: Honen was a Japanese Buddhists that developed a practice of Buddhism called Nembutsu. In this practice, followers must give their undivided attention to speaking the name of Amitabha. Honen describes how all revered Buddhas supported his practice more so than any other.
Nirchiren on Faith in the Buddha and the Lotus Sutra: Nirchiren was a Japanese Buddhist prophet who preached that the Lotus Sutra should be spoken by all Buddhists rather than the Amitabha. The Lotus Sutra states that Buddha provided a path to salvation for us, which is compared to a rope dangled down to us in an abyss. Buddha shows us how it is possible for anyone to achieve Buddhahood. Buddha provides his compassion for people through his path to salvation, being the protector and savior, and constantly thinking of us. This is the Lotus Truth.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Monday, January 10, 2011
Huston Smith: Buddhism
Part I: Basic Buddhist Concepts According to Smith:
starting on page 112 at the heading titled: Basic Buddhist Concepts and read through 119 ending at Big Raft and Little. Answer the following questions:
What is the biggest problem faced when trying to understand some of the core ideas / beliefs of Buddhism? (pages 112 - 113)
1. the distance of time between his spoken records and his written records
2. the amount of recorded information, though Siddhartha was consistent between his beliefs, interpretations on them differed
3. the interpretations of the information
The Buddha's silence at crucial points shows his extreme focus on the metaphysical and how nothing else mattered. This, as Smith states, is similar to someone so focussed on their goals that hobbies become a waste of time to them. Buddha spent his time describing how to live our life, and not on concepts like God or other certain beliefs.
How does Smith describe / define Nirvana? Is it possible to conceive of what Nirvana is? Why or why not?
Nirvana is the absence of everything physical. Therefore, it is difficult to describe it because we describe things by the way they are seen, heard, smelled, felt or tasted. None of these senses apply to Nirvana the way none of them apply to concepts like love, or air. Therefore, it is not possible to conceive of Nirvana. In Buddhism, it is more important to act now and focus on following the Eightfold path than worrying about where you will end up.
How or what is Anatta, according to Smith? (115)
Buddha believes there is no outliving soul called Anatta. Instead, matter from anatta is reborn with the same materials and concepts, and rules of life. This is like a flame being passed from candle to candle. Actions in lives of people past reflect how we are born into this life. Our actions act like a chain of events and create the world for the people of tomorrow. However,in the present, will is not controlled.
How does Smith describe the concept of transmigration and its relation to karma? (115 - 116)
1) people's actions of the past influence our current state today
2) through our free will we can influence the future state with our actions
3) nothing is passed on except ideas, impressions and feelings
Our personal relation with Karma is as follows:
1) Everything about us, our physical, our thoughts of other people and our reactions are as a result of our family, or previous generations.
2) We are not bound by these constraints, we can choose to change our thoughts and actions to influence the new world of tomorrow.
Contrasting to Hinduism, there is no soul that is passed through different bodies, only the results of actions are passed on to future generations.
According to Smith, why did the Buddha belabor the concept of Annica?
The concept of annica is important because it states that everything in our physical world is impermanent, a point the Buddha stressed. Once we overcome our attachment to impermanent objects we will be freed from our suffering. Therefore this is an important point to realize. Every physical thing is constantly changing and is not the same from one moment to the next. Humans are held together through "skandas", just threads held together as loosely as yarn. Therefore since everything is constantly changing, nothing is permanent. If we hold onto our attachment to a blossoming tree, the next day, the blossoms may fall and it won't be the same tree. Therefore we must loose our attachment to physical things and focus on the mind which is eternal.
What is the biggest problem, according to Smith, when trying to answer the question "Do humans survive bodily death?" (117 - 118)
Ordinary people carry their strands of desire with them to be satisfied in other carnations. However, the Arhat is not reborn and his desire is extinguished. It is difficult for Buddha to answer the question because the two extremes, yes and no are both untrue. It is the middle path that is correct, but it is inexpressible in terms we know of now.
We must sever the ties between our spiritual sense and our body's sense. If our Arhat is tied to our physical desires we will not be able to be free from those desires. However, the farther our Arhat grows from our bodies, the more it will be freed from the events of the world. The Buddha's followers shared that when they separated their Arhat from their body, the world seemed to broaden with each step they took. It seemed to become limitless without the restraints of the body.
Part II: Split in Buddhism:
Start reading on page 119, ending on page 127. Answer the following questions:
When trying to understand the split in Buddhism, Smith argues that the divisions arise from three basic questions: What are the three questions and how do they relate to Buddhism? (120 - 121)
1. Are people dependent or interdependent?
Do we need a God to show them the right way to live their lives, and whom they rely on from the creation of the universe and guidance to live correct lives until He returns or a Messianic age arrives?
or Are we independent, creation was not caused by a God, and we know the right way to live our lives, and know where we are going because we set our own goals?
The two basic views people have are either that they got to where they are today solely because of their own determination and hard work, or they got to where they are today because of the environment where they grew up and the people they grew up around and learned from.
2. What is the relation between humans and the Universe? Is it friendly or dangerous?
This question more or less refers to the basic question of are we alone/ is there a God. Is the universe powered by a higher being, or do we power it ourselves? God can be there to guide us and provide a direction and grand plan for humanity. The other belief is that we are independent and can provide our own goals and get there on our own.
3. What is the best part of the human, the head or the heart?
Basically, do we use our head or our heart to make our decisions. Are we logical or emotional? Therefore, our morals, decisions and actions reflect our inner influences. It reflects the argument between Scientific religion and other religions.
These three questions have divided all religions around the world into many sects that have spread throughout the world, such as Christianity into Roman Catholicism and Protestantism and many more sects.
Buddhism split because of these three questions.
Group 1: held wisdom as the most important aspect of the religion, through meditation one can achieve wisdom, nirvana and freedom from desire.
Group 2: believed that humans are more social creatures than individual and we need each other. Through compassion for other human beings we can attain enlightenment. To them, love is the greatest thing in the world.
Smith outlines the basic differences between the schools in a single paragraph on page 121 - what are the main divisions he points out and what do the different names Mahayana and Hinayana (Theravada) mean?
Read pages 122 - 127 and outline the major differences Smith gives for the division between Mahayana and Theravada Buddhism.
"yana" means boat, and refers to the fact that both these sects supply a means for one to attain nirvana
Mahayana- more free in terms of worship. Anyone can be a Mahayana Buddhist from the brick layers to the professional people. Because of this, worship can be performed anywhere and at anytime. "Maha" means great, and is the largest sect of the two.
-follow the actions with which Buddha lived his life, for example not staying in Nirvana, but returning to the people to help them achieve Nirvana
1. Progress is measured by the advancement of all people. One person's destiny is liked to the destiny of all people.
2. There is a godlike essence in everything on earth, everything is a part of god.
3. Compassion must be placed before anything. Meditation can be destructive if one has not yet reached out to another to aid them, and treat them well.
4. Mahayana Buddhists are very involved in society, and almost everyone marries, including priests. Service to their religion for the benefit of all people is their primary concern.
5. the Ultimate goal is to become an Arhat, who has followed the path without straying
6. Buddha helps all people attain enlightenment through his drawing "rays of his jewel hands"
In general, Mahayana is the more liberal Buddhist sect and has developed many new practices and has created a god of Buddha and Mahayana Buddhists sometimes chant his name to give themselves strength. Also, newer Buddhist texts are accepted into the religion, and Mahayana Buddhists explore more spiritual possibilities.
Hinayana- very focussed form of worship and believers must give up everything of the physical world. To them, following the path is a full time job. Hina means little, and is the smaller sect of the two. However, the sect did not like that name and changed it to Theravada, the way of the elders.
-follow the written texts of the Buddha
1. Progress is measured by the individual's evaluation based on their understanding of the beliefs and Buddhist way of life
2. We are all alone in the universe. There is no God to help us, and we must rely on our own competency to further ourselves.We are fully responsible for all our actions, the path we take and how we get to our end goal.
3. Through everything, wisdom is the most important aspect because it teaches us about the 4 Noble Truths.
4. The sangha is important. There are monasteries everywhere to remind people of the spiritual nature of their lives and of the world. There are also monks and nuns who are partially isolated from society, however they rely on society for the necessary requirements like food, and are venerated by society.
5. The ultimate goal is the Boddhisattva, one who upon reaching the brink of nirvana renounces it to return to the people and teach them the wisdom he has learned, and live in the service of others
6. Buddha was an incredible, special teacher. He provided a valuable example because of his humanness that all people could relate to and know that what he achieved, they can achieve.
In general, Theravada is the more fundamentalist version of Buddhism because is adheres to only the original texts and only practices meditation and invocations of deeper faith. It does not worship Buddha and realizes he is still human though he achieved nirvana.
starting on page 112 at the heading titled: Basic Buddhist Concepts and read through 119 ending at Big Raft and Little. Answer the following questions:
What is the biggest problem faced when trying to understand some of the core ideas / beliefs of Buddhism? (pages 112 - 113)
1. the distance of time between his spoken records and his written records
2. the amount of recorded information, though Siddhartha was consistent between his beliefs, interpretations on them differed
3. the interpretations of the information
The Buddha's silence at crucial points shows his extreme focus on the metaphysical and how nothing else mattered. This, as Smith states, is similar to someone so focussed on their goals that hobbies become a waste of time to them. Buddha spent his time describing how to live our life, and not on concepts like God or other certain beliefs.
How does Smith describe / define Nirvana? Is it possible to conceive of what Nirvana is? Why or why not?
Nirvana is the absence of everything physical. Therefore, it is difficult to describe it because we describe things by the way they are seen, heard, smelled, felt or tasted. None of these senses apply to Nirvana the way none of them apply to concepts like love, or air. Therefore, it is not possible to conceive of Nirvana. In Buddhism, it is more important to act now and focus on following the Eightfold path than worrying about where you will end up.
How or what is Anatta, according to Smith? (115)
Buddha believes there is no outliving soul called Anatta. Instead, matter from anatta is reborn with the same materials and concepts, and rules of life. This is like a flame being passed from candle to candle. Actions in lives of people past reflect how we are born into this life. Our actions act like a chain of events and create the world for the people of tomorrow. However,in the present, will is not controlled.
How does Smith describe the concept of transmigration and its relation to karma? (115 - 116)
1) people's actions of the past influence our current state today
2) through our free will we can influence the future state with our actions
3) nothing is passed on except ideas, impressions and feelings
Our personal relation with Karma is as follows:
1) Everything about us, our physical, our thoughts of other people and our reactions are as a result of our family, or previous generations.
2) We are not bound by these constraints, we can choose to change our thoughts and actions to influence the new world of tomorrow.
Contrasting to Hinduism, there is no soul that is passed through different bodies, only the results of actions are passed on to future generations.
According to Smith, why did the Buddha belabor the concept of Annica?
The concept of annica is important because it states that everything in our physical world is impermanent, a point the Buddha stressed. Once we overcome our attachment to impermanent objects we will be freed from our suffering. Therefore this is an important point to realize. Every physical thing is constantly changing and is not the same from one moment to the next. Humans are held together through "skandas", just threads held together as loosely as yarn. Therefore since everything is constantly changing, nothing is permanent. If we hold onto our attachment to a blossoming tree, the next day, the blossoms may fall and it won't be the same tree. Therefore we must loose our attachment to physical things and focus on the mind which is eternal.
What is the biggest problem, according to Smith, when trying to answer the question "Do humans survive bodily death?" (117 - 118)
Ordinary people carry their strands of desire with them to be satisfied in other carnations. However, the Arhat is not reborn and his desire is extinguished. It is difficult for Buddha to answer the question because the two extremes, yes and no are both untrue. It is the middle path that is correct, but it is inexpressible in terms we know of now.
We must sever the ties between our spiritual sense and our body's sense. If our Arhat is tied to our physical desires we will not be able to be free from those desires. However, the farther our Arhat grows from our bodies, the more it will be freed from the events of the world. The Buddha's followers shared that when they separated their Arhat from their body, the world seemed to broaden with each step they took. It seemed to become limitless without the restraints of the body.
Part II: Split in Buddhism:
Start reading on page 119, ending on page 127. Answer the following questions:
When trying to understand the split in Buddhism, Smith argues that the divisions arise from three basic questions: What are the three questions and how do they relate to Buddhism? (120 - 121)
1. Are people dependent or interdependent?
Do we need a God to show them the right way to live their lives, and whom they rely on from the creation of the universe and guidance to live correct lives until He returns or a Messianic age arrives?
or Are we independent, creation was not caused by a God, and we know the right way to live our lives, and know where we are going because we set our own goals?
The two basic views people have are either that they got to where they are today solely because of their own determination and hard work, or they got to where they are today because of the environment where they grew up and the people they grew up around and learned from.
2. What is the relation between humans and the Universe? Is it friendly or dangerous?
This question more or less refers to the basic question of are we alone/ is there a God. Is the universe powered by a higher being, or do we power it ourselves? God can be there to guide us and provide a direction and grand plan for humanity. The other belief is that we are independent and can provide our own goals and get there on our own.
3. What is the best part of the human, the head or the heart?
Basically, do we use our head or our heart to make our decisions. Are we logical or emotional? Therefore, our morals, decisions and actions reflect our inner influences. It reflects the argument between Scientific religion and other religions.
These three questions have divided all religions around the world into many sects that have spread throughout the world, such as Christianity into Roman Catholicism and Protestantism and many more sects.
Buddhism split because of these three questions.
Group 1: held wisdom as the most important aspect of the religion, through meditation one can achieve wisdom, nirvana and freedom from desire.
Group 2: believed that humans are more social creatures than individual and we need each other. Through compassion for other human beings we can attain enlightenment. To them, love is the greatest thing in the world.
Smith outlines the basic differences between the schools in a single paragraph on page 121 - what are the main divisions he points out and what do the different names Mahayana and Hinayana (Theravada) mean?
Read pages 122 - 127 and outline the major differences Smith gives for the division between Mahayana and Theravada Buddhism.
"yana" means boat, and refers to the fact that both these sects supply a means for one to attain nirvana
Mahayana- more free in terms of worship. Anyone can be a Mahayana Buddhist from the brick layers to the professional people. Because of this, worship can be performed anywhere and at anytime. "Maha" means great, and is the largest sect of the two.
-follow the actions with which Buddha lived his life, for example not staying in Nirvana, but returning to the people to help them achieve Nirvana
1. Progress is measured by the advancement of all people. One person's destiny is liked to the destiny of all people.
2. There is a godlike essence in everything on earth, everything is a part of god.
3. Compassion must be placed before anything. Meditation can be destructive if one has not yet reached out to another to aid them, and treat them well.
4. Mahayana Buddhists are very involved in society, and almost everyone marries, including priests. Service to their religion for the benefit of all people is their primary concern.
5. the Ultimate goal is to become an Arhat, who has followed the path without straying
6. Buddha helps all people attain enlightenment through his drawing "rays of his jewel hands"
In general, Mahayana is the more liberal Buddhist sect and has developed many new practices and has created a god of Buddha and Mahayana Buddhists sometimes chant his name to give themselves strength. Also, newer Buddhist texts are accepted into the religion, and Mahayana Buddhists explore more spiritual possibilities.
Hinayana- very focussed form of worship and believers must give up everything of the physical world. To them, following the path is a full time job. Hina means little, and is the smaller sect of the two. However, the sect did not like that name and changed it to Theravada, the way of the elders.
-follow the written texts of the Buddha
1. Progress is measured by the individual's evaluation based on their understanding of the beliefs and Buddhist way of life
2. We are all alone in the universe. There is no God to help us, and we must rely on our own competency to further ourselves.We are fully responsible for all our actions, the path we take and how we get to our end goal.
3. Through everything, wisdom is the most important aspect because it teaches us about the 4 Noble Truths.
4. The sangha is important. There are monasteries everywhere to remind people of the spiritual nature of their lives and of the world. There are also monks and nuns who are partially isolated from society, however they rely on society for the necessary requirements like food, and are venerated by society.
5. The ultimate goal is the Boddhisattva, one who upon reaching the brink of nirvana renounces it to return to the people and teach them the wisdom he has learned, and live in the service of others
6. Buddha was an incredible, special teacher. He provided a valuable example because of his humanness that all people could relate to and know that what he achieved, they can achieve.
In general, Theravada is the more fundamentalist version of Buddhism because is adheres to only the original texts and only practices meditation and invocations of deeper faith. It does not worship Buddha and realizes he is still human though he achieved nirvana.
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