Comparison Chart of Buddhist Schools or Sects
Name: Ryan Hong
Block: Asian Studies F
Date: February 12, 2010
Minor Assignment Grade: /16
Just as Christianity and Islam have various sects and schools within its general faith, so
has Buddhism. A general familiarity of those schools and how the compare and contrast
with other schools is the objective of this assignment.
You are to select one of the sects under the “School”, and show its similarities and
differences with the other seven sects. Be sure to note in which countries each sect is
most likely to be found. As well, do show within the similarities and differences which
general camp, Theravadan or Mahayanan, that particular sect falls under if it does at all
(some do not fall under either).
Buddhist school selected: Ch’an
School Countries Similarities Differences
where
popular
Pureland Sect - China - Pureland Sect is - Pureland Sect
- Japan alongside Ch’an practices are simple
- Korea - Pureland and Ch’an compared to other
are based on schools.
Mahayana - One centered belief;
Buddhism is vows to ones
name.
Ch’an - Main Land - Ch’an comes in - Ch’an is more
China forms of scripture situated on the
- Japan based on Buddhism. practice of Mahayana
- Korea - It, focuses on Buddhism while
- Vietnam spiritual practices Pureland is
like Christianity and centralized to the
Middle Eastern Japanese Zen theme
cultures and
traditions
Tibetan - Tibet - Mahayana - The Tibetan
- India Buddhism are language was taught
- Mongolia similar to both inside of the country
- China practices - Ch’an’s meditation
- Russia - Both practices focus time is extended
on the ideas from along with other
the enlightenment. regular exercises
Tendai - China - Both practices
- Japan originated in China - Tendai is more
and are based on the popular in Japan
Mahayana Buddhism than it is in China
exercise
- It is more widely
practiced in foreign
countries of China
Zen - China - Spiritual practices
- Japan especially in the - Made in Japan but
- Korea inner mind with originated in China
Buddha.
Chogye - Korea - Chogye is taught by - Chogye is focused
- China the Sixth Patriarch; a on the Tendai
part of the Mahayana movement
Buddhism regulation.
Cheontae - China - The beliefs in both
- Korea - Both originate are all based on
- Japan from the ideas and morality and
beliefs of the unrealistic views
enlightenment
Won - Korea - Similar to the - Ch`an, is a practice
practices in the based on an
Japanese Zen theme individual whereas
Won is a connection
among many people.