Schools of Buddhism

The schools of Buddhism are the various institutional and doctrinal divisions of Buddhism, which are based on various differences, such as geography, historical schisms and sectarianism, and the differing teachings and interpretations of Buddhist texts.

The branching of Buddhism into separate schools has been occurring from ancient times up to the present, beginning with the first schism. The classification and nature of the various doctrinal, philosophical, practical, or cultural facets of the schools of Buddhism is complex and has been interpreted in many different ways. This complexity is partly due to the sheer number (perhaps thousands) of different sects, sub-sects, movements, worldviews, etc. that make up the whole of the Buddhist tradition. The study of the sectarian and conceptual divisions of Buddhist thought are part of the modern framework of Buddhist studies, as well as comparative religion in Asia. Some factors in Buddhist doctrine, such as the four noble truths, and karma and rebirth, appear to be relatively consistent across different schools. Others views vary considerably, such as the understanding of the nature of the Buddha and the canons of Buddhist scriptures.

From a largely English-language standpoint, and to some extent in most of Western academia, Buddhism is separated into two groups: Theravāda (lit. 'the Teaching of the Elders' or 'the Ancient Teaching'), and Mahāyāna (lit. 'the Great Vehicle'). The most common classification among scholars is threefold: Theravāda, Mahāyāna and Vajrayāna. Another common division is cultural-geographical, dividing Buddhism into: Southern Buddhism, Northern or Himalayan (Tibetan) Buddhism, and East Asian Buddhism.

Apart from these major categories, there are many Buddhist new religious movements that developed in the modern era, including the Indian Dalit Buddhist movement and many of the Japanese new religions.