Are different kinds of Buddhists aiming at different concepts of enlightenment?
They’re all the same path, just different vessels to get there. It’s said that Mahayana Buddhism, which both Zen and Tibetan tantric fall under, the concept of enlightenment is not to get to there all by yourself, as opposed to Theravadan, but to do it for all sentient beings… this is highly arguable IMO because if you become a Buddha, you’re going to be doing it for all sentient beings because the path includes being altruistic. It’s like saying that doing only virtuous deeds all your life is going to somehow get you a bad result, which is IMPOSSIBLE logically speaking. Remember, same path, different vehicles…
Not from my understanding (which is admittedly limited, I’ve only been Buddhist for 6 months). I practice Theravada, but the literature that I read and learned from was not directed at any particular sect. I think the main differences are related to the priority each sect places on certain practices. The eventual outcome would surely be no different. I noticed some above me were referring to merits and gaining approval. I’m afraid I have to disagree. There is great emphasis placed on the fact that the Buddha was not a God of any kind, just a normal human being. Therefore, now he is dead, what would be the point of trying to gain merit? His re-birth cycle came to an end when he fulfilled his karma, so there is no spirit now to ‘worship’ or ‘impress’. Instead, it is my understanding that through helping others, it actually is helping yourself. You become a much better person through following the five precepts (ten for the monks, though some of those other five seem a little extreme for
