Like most other religions, Buddhism has also undergone changes in beliefs and as a result, has various schools of thoughts under it. These schools differ from traditions to philosophies, even metaphysics and doctrinal interpretations included in it the change in thought.

The major divisions that we find today are namely Mahayana, Theravada, Vajrayana and Zen school of Buddhism. It is not a classification is done which is inked but it found through scholarly literature to be divided this way.  

1. Mahayana Buddhism

Mahayana (Sanskrit for ‘Great Vehicle’) is a term given to many Buddhist schools clubbed together. Its origin is in 100 BCE in northern India and Kashmir. The term was at first used for a small movement to denote those who opposed the formal, scholastic approach to Buddhist practice. Today, the schools of Japan, Tibet, Korea and China belong to this tradition.

There aren’t much of significant characteristics of this school owing to its being a mixture of Buddhist visions, out of which some are even contradictory. It is said that the Mahayana tradition simply replaced the Early Buddhism but that is not true.

The process of emergence of this tradition is far more complex as Early Buddhism (referred to just as Buddhism) flourished even after the Mahayana tradition began. Mahayanists find it to be a strength to be proud of their diversity. Some even say that the adaptability of this tradition in its doctrinal base is its weakness which allowed it to be absorbed by Hinduism.

2. Theravada Buddhism

The only school that has survived from the pre-Mahayana period is the Theravada school. It literally means the “Teaching of the Elders”. It is practised in Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, Sri Lanka and Thailand. This school originated from the Sthaviravada school (which no longer exists) and can be traced by to the 3rd century BCE. One of the key features is the use of Pali as a sacred language and the Pali Buddhist canon as the highest scriptural authority. 

3. Vajrayana Buddhism

Vajrayana (“The Vehicle of the Thunderbolt”) developed in India around 900 CE. It is based on the Mahayana tradition but with added elements of a complex set of rituals. The role of the master, who uses different tools including breathing techniques and many forms of yoga to help disciples to gain enlightenment, is given a special focus. Mandalas (ritual images) are used by this school to facilitate different psychophysical practices such as meditation. While the traditional methods can achieve enlightenment over many lifetimes, this school can achieve so in the single lifetime. 

4. Zen Buddhism

The whole concept of Zen school of Buddhism is based on a meditation that claims to lead a higher level of awareness or enlightenment. It entered Japan from China in the 7th century CE. One of the basic ideas of this school is that everyone has the potential to become enlightened and that the way to achieve such a goal is through meditation, explaining the emphasis on meditation in this school of Buddhism. It focuses on the principle that the pure and original Buddha is within all and the meditation helps to remove the mental impurities that guide us away from him.