Zen Buddhism Lifestyle

[Rosita Westhouse]

Thereare three main schools of Buddhism: Mahayana, Theravada, and Vajrayana. Mahayana Buddhism is common in China, Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea. It emphasizes the role models of bodhisattvas (beings that have achieved enlightenment but return to teach humans). Theravada Buddhism is common in Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, and Burma (Myanmar). It emphasizes a monastic lifestyle and meditation as the way to enlightenment. Vajrayana is the major school of Buddhism in the region of Tibet and in Nepal, Bhutan, and Mongolia. It offers followers a faster path to enlightenment than Mahayana or Theravada.

The head of the Tibetan school of Buddhism and traditional leader of Tibet, the Dalai Lama, fled from China-controlled Tibet in 1959 to India in fear of his life. Many Tibetan Buddhists actively resist Chinese control of the region. Recently, the current Dalai Lama, who is understood to be the 14th reincarnation of the first Dalai Lama, has raised questions over whether and where he will choose to reincarnate.

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I am thinking about becoming a Buddhist, particularly a Theravada Buddhist but I must know about the lifestyle so I can change my lifestyle a bit. There is no Buddhist temple around where I am so I have nobody to ask. I do not wish to become a nun so the question are for more non-ordained Buddhist. So here are my questions.

From left, Bhikkhuni Dhammavanna, Bhikkhuni Dhammaparipunna and Bhikkhuni Dhammasumana walk to collect alms from devotees in Nakhon Pathom province on Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021. Women are banned from becoming monks in Thailand, where over 90% of the population is Buddhist. Historically, women could only become white-cloaked nuns often treated as glorified temple housekeepers. But dozens have traveled to Sri Lanka to receive full ordination. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

A worshipper prays after offering food to, from left, Bhikkhuni Dhammavanna, Bhikkhuni Dhammaparipunna and Bhikkhuni Dhammasumana in Nakhon Pathom province on Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021. Women are banned from becoming monks in Thailand, where over 90% of the population is Buddhist. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

Bhikkhuni pray at Songdhammakalyani monastery in Nakhon Pathom province on Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021. Historically, women could only become white-cloaked nuns often treated as glorified temple housekeepers. But dozens have traveled to Sri Lanka to receive full ordination. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

From left, Bhikkhuni Dhammavanna, Bhikkhuni Dhammaparipunna and Bhikkhuni Dhammasumana walk back to the Songdhammakalyani temple in Nakhon Pathom province on Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

From left, Bhikkhuni Dhammavanna, Bhikkhuni Dhammaparipunna and Bhikkhuni Dhammasumana, are reflected in a mirror as they walk to collect alms from devotees in Nakhon Pathom province on Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021. Women are banned from becoming monks in Thailand, where over 90% of the population is Buddhist. Historically, women could only become white-cloaked nuns often treated as glorified temple housekeepers. But dozens have traveled to Sri Lanka to receive full ordination. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

Tenzin Tsepal, a fully ordained Buddhist nun, bows to other residents and guests during morning mediation at Sravasti Abbey, Thursday, Nov. 18, 2021, in Newport, Wash. The abbey is the only Tibetan Buddhist training monastery for Western monks and nuns in America. (AP Photo/Young Kwak)

Thubten Chonyi, right, a fully ordained Buddhist nun, and other residents and guests stand in prostration during the morning meditation session at Sravasti Abbey, Thursday, Nov. 18, 2021, in Newport, Wash. (AP Photo/Young Kwak)

In this photo provided by the Dongyu Gatsal Ling nunnery, a group of nuns play a ritual instrument, the Tibetan longhorn, or dungchen, which are commonly used during ceremonies, at the nunnery in the state of Himachal Pradesh, India on Oct. 27, 2021. About 100 nuns live and study here. (Dongyu Gatsal Ling nunnery via AP)

In this photo provided by the Dongyu Gatsal Ling nunnery, Buddhist nuns offer hundreds of butter lamps, which symbolizes the wisdom aspect dispelling the darkness of ignorance, at the nunnery in the state of Himachal Pradesh, India on Nov. 8, 2016. About 100 nuns live and study here. (Dongyu Gatsal Ling nunnery via AP)

In this photo provided by the Dongyu Gatsal Ling nunnery, a group of nuns perform a debate demonstration at the nunnery in the state of Himachal Pradesh, India on April 19, 2013. About 100 nuns live and study here. (Dongyu Gatsal Ling nunnery via AP)

In this photo provided by the Dongyu Gatsal Ling nunnery, a group of Buddhist nuns rehearse for a ritual commonly known as Dakini Dances, at the nunnery in the state of Himachal Pradesh, India on Oct. 26, 2021. (Dongyu Gatsal Ling nunnery via AP)

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