Some Bits about Buddhism

Theravāda is the prevailing branch of Buddhism in places like Thailand. It relies a lot on chanting in Pāḷi and learning the Pāḷi Canon, the Tipiṭaka (The Three Baskets). Zen and Amidism are of the Mahāyāna branch of Buddhism. All Buddhists practice meditation.

Zen Buddhism is the sect of Buddhism which has been really well-known in the West.  Zen tries to be non-logocentric, as it steers away from words.  Riddles called kōan are used to break rationality.  Simplicity is key, as Zen absorbed from Dào (Taoism) in ancient history.

Some people are seeking a universe without drudgery.  In the sect of Pure Land Buddhism, or Amidism, adherents believe in a universe called Pure Land, where there is no sickness or suffering and where one could attain Enlightenment much easier.  In our universe, one would repeat the name of Amida Buddha, so as to attain Pure Land when one dies.  Amida Buddha is different from the historical Gautama Buddha, who is different again from Maitreya Buddha, the buddha of the future.