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22 EASTERN HORIZON | FACE TO FACE

1,000 arm Guan Yin, Japan 1,000 arm Guan Yin, Vietnam Guan Yin, Gandhara, India

we must liberate ourselves from our problems and geography, Buddhism was further split into Southern
confusion. However, by opening our hearts to Buddha Buddhism, Northern Buddhism, Chinese Buddhism and
and his teachings, our inner strength and confidence Tibetan Buddhism. Eventually, there was also Korean
will be reinforced to assist us in our life. Buddhism, Japanese Buddhism, Thai Buddhism, and
Western Buddhism. In particular, Chinese Buddhism
Mahāyāna Buddhism, especially in China, is not alone split into the Eight Schools, followed by the
one common tradition as there are various schools spread of Chan Buddhism into the Five Houses and
within it, from Jìngtǔ to Chán, and Tiāntāi and Seven Schools.
Huáyán. Is there a set of common teachings in all
these schools? These differences in opinion were not personal, just

as the Eight Schools of Chinese Buddhism each held
“All teachings expounded by the Buddha, to their own standards of classification. Instead of
Serve the purpose of remedying all minds; further schism, the outcome has allowed Buddhism
Without the existence of all minds, more diversity and a greater range of expedient means
Such teachings shall serve no purpose at all.” – to cater to the aptitudes of living beings. On balance,
Record of Contemplation, Laṅkāvatāra Sūtra all these individuals believe in the same Buddha and
propagate the same Dharma based on the Truths of the
When the Buddha taught, he constantly acknowledged Three Dharma Seals, which the Buddha has dedicated
the different aptitudes of his disciples and amended his entire life to teaching.
his approach. Yet, he always taught according to the
same set of core concepts. For example, the teachings of However, these disparities have added to the challenge
suffering, emptiness, impermanence, and selflessness of unity among Buddhists. For this reason, cooperation
are commonly recognized as the earliest Buddhist between Buddhists and the development of Buddhism
teachings. In later periods, Buddhists were encouraged have become rather difficult. Furthermore, after
to practice the Six Paramitas, aspire to the Four Buddhism spread to China, political oppressions and
Immeasurable States of Mind, and realize the Four social changes impelled Buddhism into the mountain
Universal Vows. forests, causing Buddhism to become a religion that
focused on spiritual cultivation in seclusion for the sole
After Buddha entered Nirvāṇa, various sects and benefit of oneself. The situation was exacerbated by
reflections of Buddhism arose due to the differences in monastics who spoke the Dharma solely from their own
opinion among Buddhist disciples regarding teachings perspectives, exaggerating the need to be other-worldly,
and precepts. As time passed, further schisms ensued dismissing people’s needs in life for wealth, love, and
and came Early Buddhism and Mahāyāna Buddhism. By family. For instance, on the topic of wealth, they would