Originally posted by casino_king:
[b]
Thailand has 2 main Buddhists sects.
Like Roman Catholism and the Non-Catholics.
There is Mahayana Buddhism and Theravada Buddhism which is more
strict.
Mahayana Buddhism is like the Roman Catholics and incorporates
Hinduism.
Wrong. Thai Buddhism only has Theravada Buddhism, Mahayana
Buddhism is absolutely absent from Thailand. However, Brahmanist
influence is very strong in Thailand, because of its history.
Whether it is Mahayana or Theravada or Vajrayana Buddhism, the
Buddhist teachings remain PURE and distinct from Hinduism. Buddha
can be seen as a reformist of the society and religion in India, as
Jesus Christ was seen as reformist of the Old Testament.
The Hindu Gods become the Mahayana Buddhism' Buddhas.
Brahma, in Mahayana Buddhism, is exactly as seen in Theravadin
Buddhism. Brahma is a Celestial Deity from the 1st Jhana plane. In
fact these kinds of things cannot be changed, because it is written
down in the scriptures. All Pali Scriptures (Theravadins) are also
in the Chinese/Tibetan Canon without changes.
So the Hindu God became the 4 face Buddha.
It is not because of tradition difference, it is because of
plain ignorance. Inability to differentiate Deities from Buddha,
due to lack of knowledge.
When it comes to beliefs, it is up to you to believe anything
you want since it actually makes no difference. For me, it is
better to make life's deisions based on reality and logic rather
than on beliefs.
Belief or not is not important. By cultivating the dharma, we
are living in reality rather in illusion, and will be enlightened
to reality.
