Whats the difference between Mahayana, Theravada, Tibetan and Zen classes?
Depending on who you ask, there are two or three branches of Buddhism: Theravada, Mahayana and Vajrayana. (Vajrayana, also known as Tibetan, is sometimes included within Mahayana.) The various Mahayana traditions have evolved with unique differences, and are now better known by the names of their respective branches (Tibetan, Zen, etc…) For the purposes of choosing a class for the first time, these are some of the distinctions you’ll notice between the various sects: Theravada classes can be held in relatively unadorned spaces. The meditation hall may be a simple room with a flower arrangement or Buddha statue on an altar, or may be in a borrowed space (ie. another house of worship) with no formal seating area for the instructor. Student seating may be casual, both in terms of cushion arrangement and posture. There is relatively little degree of formality between student and teacher. Bowing and chanting are uncommon. Mahayana classes are typically more formal, with meditation halls d
