There are a number of Buddhist traditions, each with different teachings and practices. What are the daily practices lay people normally live by?
For instance, living by five or eight precepts, in the Theravada tradition, or just daily meditation practice.
How do the different Buddhist traditions compare, in terms of daily practices? What is common among different traditions, and what varies?
Revised question Since many people ask about choosing a tradition on Buddhism.SE, the purpose of this question is to gain clarity about the differences (and similarities) between the traditions. There appears to be a clinging to the known tradition(s) among many, and rejection of other traditions (as good or bad)
Here are a few examples. I am looking for some more insightful comments from those experienced with more than one tradition, since these are merely what Google provided:
Bhikkhu Kantipalo (1995) from the Theravada tradition:
- Cultivation of calm and insight.
- Practice giving (dana) according to their faith.
- Make an effort to keep the precepts (sila) pure.
- Develop the mind in meditation (bhavana)
- Taking refuge in the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha
- Undertake the five precepts
By Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche: (source offline when writing this, cached)
- Taking refuge
- Prostrations
- Mandala offerings
- Vajrasattva mantras
- Samaya vajra
- Dorje Khadro (burning offering)
- Water bowl offerings
- Guru Yoga
- Making tsa-tsas
Venerable Thubthen Chodron highlights:
- Affirmations upon waking up
- Morning meditation
- Cultivation of mindfulness
SGI members are encouraged to:
- Believe in the teachings of Nichiren
- Chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, as well as to explain Nichiren's teachings to others
- Study and understand the Buddhist teachings
Found this about Zen practice on zenki.com (unsure of the authority, since I'm unfamiliar with Zen)