The Major Sects of Buddhism

• Theravada (Hinayana) Buddhism
  • Literal: School of the Elders (Small Vehicle)
  • Main Focus
    • Four Noble Truths
    • Meditation
    • Sage Buddha
  • Main adherents: Southeast Asia
• Mahayana Buddhism
  • Literal: Large Vehicle
  • Main Focus
    • Four Noble Truths
    • Meditation
    • Divine Buddha
    • Bodhisattvas
  • Main adherents: China, Japan, and Korea
  • Subdivisions
    • Pure Land School
    • Tian Dai (China) or Tendai (Japan) Buddhism
      • Confucianism Influence
    • Chan (China) or Zen (Japan) Buddhism
      • Daoism Influence
      • Main Focus
        • Meditation
        • Chanting
        • Teacher-Student dialog
• Vajrayana Buddhism
  • Literal: Diamond Vehicle
  • Main Focus
    • Meditation
    • Chanting
    • Enlightenment in one lifetime
    • Tibetan gods and demons
    • Religious visualizations
    • Philosophical debate
    • Ritual
    • Yoga
    • Tantric Sex
  • Main adherents: Tibet