Are there different schools of Buddhism? If so, which school of thought does the temple follow?
Yes, there are two major schools of Buddhism: Mahayana Buddhism and Theravada Buddhism. Mahayana Buddhism teaches us how to attain Enlightenment for the sake of others. Theravada Buddhism teaches people how to attain personal spiritual liberation. Both traditions flourished in India, and subsequently spread throughout Asia and surrounding countries. Mahayana Buddhism is practiced in countries such as China, Korea, Vietnam, and Japan, whereas Theravada Buddhism is most commonly practiced in Sri Lanka, Burma, and Thailand. Although Mahayana Buddhism is practiced at the temple, our organization embraces both schools of thought, as both reflect the Buddha’s teachings. In fact, our temple has a number of affiliates and regular visitors who belong to the Theravada sect.
