Buddhism
The historical Buddha Shakyamuni gave 84,000 teachings for people to reach enlightenment. His methods include meditation, the study of philosophy, psychology, skillful debate, and above all, the cultivation of a pure view in all situations. All Buddhist methods develop mind's inherent richness and clarity enabling people of varying interests and abilities to avoid suffering and find lasting happiness.
In Buddhism, one distinguishes between three main "vehicles". They are: Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana or the Diamond Way.
Theravada Buddhism places great importance on calming and focusing the mind. The goal is liberation from all suffering, conditioned existence or "samsara". This occurs through realizing that the "self" is not of a lasting nature. Without this understanding, liberation cannot be reached. It emphasizes the avoidance of all harmful actions. This form of Buddhism took root predominantely in Southern Asia and prevailed largely in monastic communities. Today, it is practiced by lay people as well.
Mahayana or The Great Vehicle is especially for those living full lives in family and society. It holds vast teachings on Buddhist philosophy and psychology and aims for full enlightenment through the development of compassion and wisdom. One generates the bodhisattva attitude, the wish to benefit countless beings, and recognizes the inherent "emptiness" of all outer and inner phenomena. Since situations, thoughts and feelings change all the time, they are ultimately empty of any lasting reality.
Diamond Way or Vajrayana Buddhism is Buddha's ultimate teaching. By using methods with and without form, he initiated his students into the experience of their inherent Buddha nature. In Tibet, the Diamond Way was mainly transmitted through the "Red Hat" schools. Here, the teacher is the direct link to enlightenment, and is considered as important as the Buddha himself. The view is that all phenomena are inherently pure, and that enlightenment is our natural state. What makes Diamond Way unique is the variety of methods or "skillful means" to attain full enlightenment. The methods consist of the different levels of the Tantras, and of Mahamudra, The Great Seal. Through identification with one's own Buddha nature, both in meditation and in everyday life, realization unfolds effortlessly. Mind's potential expresses itself fully when there is no longer a separation between the perceiver, that which is perceived, and the perception itself.