By "Dotetsuzenji"
(From the book "ZEN MIND")
Are the basic principles of Buddhism the same in all the Buddhist schools?
Yes, but only to an extent. They all accept the Buddha as their great teacher, but the method of saving mankind is different. There are no contradictory views between the schools and their arguments are not antagonistic either.
What are the main schools of Buddhism?
There are 2 Schools:
1. Theravada, or Southern School
2. Mahayana, or Northern School
What's the difference between them?
Mahayana is the school of “Great Vehicle" for salvation. It covers China, Japan, Korea, Tibet and Mongolia. Theravada is the doctrine of "The Elders”, the school of "Small Vehicle" and covers Sri Lanka, Burma, Thailand, Cambodia, etc. In contrast to the Theravadas, the Mahayanas believe in the existence of the Bodhisattva who strives towards enlightenment for both him/herself and others. Mahayana is the teaching which can lead everyone to enlightenment. Theravada, the traditional school, is for personal enlightenment only. The aim of Theravada is Arhantship, or self-salvation, but the goal of Mahayana is to renounce Nirvana so that all beings may be saved. Theravada teaches the elimination of earthly desires whereas Mahayana takes a more positive view of earthly desires and aims at directing the senses to enjoy life without attachment.
Who is a Bodhisattva?
The word Bodhi means wisdom, or intellect. Sattva means nature, essence, or being. This means that all beings posses the nature of wisdom or Buddhahood. Bodhisattvas are those who have the potential to be awakened and become a Buddha. Zen schools place the emphasis on Bodhisattvas who are in the process of becoming the future Buddhas. The main purpose of the Bodhisattvas, according to Zen, is to save mankind. Bodhisattvas are often called "Buddhas of compassion”, as love in action guided by wisdom is their aim. Anyone who has developed “Bodhi-mind” - the aspiration to save oneself and others - is a Bodhisattva. Anyone who aspires to the attainment of Buddhahood and devotes themselves to altruistic deeds, especially those that enable others to attain enlightenment (Buddhahood), is called Bodhisattva. To reiterate, a Bodhisattva strives for their own perfection as well as the liberation of others.
So, Zen inclines to the Mahayana school of Buddhism?
Exactly. Zen is rooted in Mahayana Buddhism. Zen is the main branch of the Buddha's teaching. Words or terms such as Bodhisattva, Buddha nature, voidness, suchness, lack of duality, interpretation of Heart Sutra, Diamond Sutra, middle Way, unconditional service to mankind, are the characteristics which Zen has developed within the Mahayana school. In my opinion, Zen has stood at the top steps of the ladder of awakening, enabling a short cut to the enlightenment of the Buddha himself.