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There are two general groupings of Buddhism:  

There are two general groupings of Buddhism:  

*'''Hinayana''' (Lesser Vehicle): This places the onus on the individual to achieve enlightenment through meditation, contemplation, and ceremony. Esoteric sects and [[Zen]] fall under this category.  

*'''Hinayana''' (Lesser Vehicle): This places the onus on the individual to achieve enlightenment through meditation, contemplation, and ceremony. Esoteric sects and [[Zen]] fall under this category.  

*'''Mahayana''' (Greater Vehicle): Everyone can become a Buddha and benefiting others is an integral part of enlightenment. These comprise the [[Jodo sect|Jodo]] (Pure Land) sects, where you can enter the land of [[Amida]] Buddha simply by repeating his name over and over. The Jodo sects are by far the largest Buddhist groups in Japan today. They brought Buddhism, which before was largely for the rich and educated, to the masses.  

 

*'''Mahayana''' (Greater Vehicle): Everyone can become a Buddha and benefiting others is an integral part of enlightenment. These comprise the [[Jodo sect|Jôdo]] (Pure Land) sects, where one can enter the land of [[Amida]] Buddha simply by repeating his name over and over. The Jôdo sects are by far the largest Buddhist groups in Japan today. They brought Buddhism, which before was largely for the rich and educated, to the masses.  

The major sects in Japan today include:  

The major sects in Japan today include:  

*'''[[Tendai]]''' Lotus Bukkyo: An esoteric sect, built around the Threefold Truth: all things are of the void, all things are temporary, and all things are in both states at once.  

 

*'''[[Shingon]]''' Esoteric Bukkyo: An esoteric sect. This was founded by [[Kukai|Kobo Daishi]] in the 9th century and is also known as Mikkyo in Japan. Its central belief is found in the Mahavairocan Sutra (''Dainichi-kyo''). The practice of Shingon involves doctrine, philosophy, deities such as [[Jizo|Jizô]] and [[Fudo]], ritual, and meditation. The Three Mysteries comprise Esoteric Mudra Of The Body, Esoteric Mantra Of Speech, and Internal Visualization of the mind.  

*'''[[Tendai]]''' Lotus sect: An esoteric sect, built around the Threefold Truth: all things are of the void, all things are temporary, and all things are in both states at once.  

*'''[[Jodo-Shu]]''' and '''[[Jodo-Shinshu]]''' (Pure Land Bukkyo): formed by Honen in the 12th century. Repeat ''‘Nami Amida Butsu’'' and enter the Western Paradise of Amida Buddha, from where it is a short jump to Nehan.  

 

*'''[[Nichiren]]-Shu''': follows the Lotus Sutra, the Honzon Mandala, and is the only exclusionary Buddhist sect. The original sect split up and the current version is Soka-Gakkai.  

*'''[[Shingon]]''' Esoteric Buddhism: An esoteric sect introduced by [[Kukai|Kôbô Daishi]] in the 9th century and also known as Mikkyô ("esoteric teachings") in Japan. Its central belief is found in the Mahavairocan Sutra (''Dainichi-kyô''). The practice of Shingon involves doctrine, philosophy, deities such as [[Jizo|Jizô]] and [[Fudo Myoo|Fudô Myôô]], ritual, and meditation. The Three Mysteries comprise Esoteric Mudra Of The Body, Esoteric Mantra Of Speech, and Internal Visualization of the mind.  

*'''Zen Bukkyo''' (Soto & Rinzai): this puts the emphasis on sudden awareness of reality through meditation. Zen began to make inroads in the 12th century through the teachings of Eisai (Rinzai) and Dogen (Soto) after finding its way over from China in about 500 CE. Zen has been a heavy influence on Japanese art ([[Noh]], poetry, [[Ikebana]], tea ceremony, screen painting) and is likely the best known form of Buddhism in the Western World. One caveat is that the form of Zen taught in a lot of Western martial arts schools has little to do with the original.  

 

*'''Jôdo-shû''' and '''[[Jodo-shinshu|Jôdo shinshû]]''' (Pure Land Bukkyo): formed by [[Honen|Hônen]] in the 12th century, these sects believe chiefly in the repetition of the ''[[nenbutsu]]'' as a means to obtain salvation from Amida Buddha, such that one can enter the Western Paradise (Pure Land), from which it is far easier to attain nirvana.

 

*'''[[Nichiren Buddhism]]''': follows the [[Lotus Sutra]] and the Honzon Mandala, and is the only exclusionary Buddhist sect. The original sect split up. The [[New Religions|New Religion]] [[Soka Gakkai|Sôka Gakkai]] draws considerably upon Nichiren teachings.

*'''Zen Buddhism''' ([[Soto Zen|Sôtô]] & [[Rinzai]]): this puts the emphasis on sudden awareness of reality through meditation. Zen began to make inroads in the 12th century through the teachings of [[Eisai]] (Rinzai) and [[Dogen|Dôgen]] (Sôtô) after finding its way over from China in about 500 CE. Zen has been a heavy influence on Japanese art ([[Noh]], poetry, [[Ikebana]], [[tea ceremony]], screen painting) and is likely the best known form of Buddhism in the Western world. One caveat is that the form of Zen taught in many Western schools of martial arts has little to do with the original.  

There are many other sects and sub-sects, but these are the largest.

There are many other sects and sub-sects, but these are the largest.

*'''Jigoku''': home to the Eight Hot Hells and The Eight Cold Hells, each of which has a detailed description I won’t get into here. The being [[Emma-O|Emma-Ô]] is the lord of this realm and has as his servants the great ogres known as [[oni]], famous for their ''tetsubô'' (iron studded clubs). Not a good place to be.  

*'''Jigoku''': home to the Eight Hot Hells and The Eight Cold Hells, each of which has a detailed description I won’t get into here. The being [[Emma-O|Emma-Ô]] is the lord of this realm and has as his servants the great ogres known as [[oni]], famous for their ''tetsubô'' (iron studded clubs). Not a good place to be.  

Eventually, the dedicated Buddhist will climb the ladder of The Six Realms and enter into Nehan, becoming one with the universe and never returning to the Realms.  

Eventually, the dedicated Buddhist will climb the ladder of The Six Realms and enter into Nehan, becoming one with the universe and never returning to the Realms.

 

Traditionally, women were said to be hindered from attaining enlightenment in five ways, known as the Five Hindrances (Skt: ''pañca nivāraṇa''; J: ''gokai''): sensory desire, ill-will, sloth, restlessness/worry, and doubt.<ref>"[http://shunga.honolulumuseum.org/2013/index.php?page=47&language=&maxImageHeight=470&headerTop=0&headerHeight=109&footerTop=579&bw=1366&sh=0&refreshed=refreshed#.VHwJmcmTLqM Tongue in Cheek: Erotic Art in 19th-Century Japan]," Honolulu Museum of Art, exhibition website, accessed 30 November 2014.</ref> Belief in this has fallen away in the modern period, however.

Most modern Buddhists do not take the Six Realms literally but rather as metaphors for states of being. The "state" of being a Hungry Spirit is linked with greed and materialism. The "state" of dwelling in Jigoku is linked with anger and violence, either towards oneself or others. The "state" of dwelling in the Asura realm is linked with jealously, envy, and selfishness. The "state" of dwelling in Tengoku is linked with arrogance. The "state" of being an animal is linked with ignorance.  

Most modern Buddhists do not take the Six Realms literally but rather as metaphors for states of being. The "state" of being a Hungry Spirit is linked with greed and materialism. The "state" of dwelling in Jigoku is linked with anger and violence, either towards oneself or others. The "state" of dwelling in the Asura realm is linked with jealously, envy, and selfishness. The "state" of dwelling in Tengoku is linked with arrogance. The "state" of being an animal is linked with ignorance.  

==References==

==References==

*Mizuno Kogen ''Basic Buddhist Concepts'' Tokyo:Kosei Publishing Co, 1998

*Mizuno Kogen ''Basic Buddhist Concepts'' Tokyo:Kosei Publishing Co, 1998

*Pauling, Chris ''Introducing Buddhism'' New York:Barnes & Noble Books, 2001

*Pauling, Chris ''Introducing Buddhism'' New York:Barnes & Noble Books, 2001

[[Category:Buddhism]]

[[Category:Buddhism]]