What kind of Buddhism is closest to the original?

Opk: What kind of Buddhism is closest to the original?
What modern form of Buddhism is closest to the original teachings of Buddha and doesn’t include wacky corruptions like saints?

Answers and Views:

Answer by clusium1971
I believe Theraveda is.

Answer by sir dungsmere
Theravada

Answer by Lone Wolf
That’s a loaded question.

Like asking what kind of Judaism is closest to the original? Or, what kind of Christianity is closest to the original? Or what kind of Muslim is closest to the original?

Everyone is going to say their brand is The One!

Answer by Ryunyo
That’s somewhat like asking which species is closest to our common ancestor. All branches have been developing and evolving- unless they are dead!

The groups that got real results had people who understood enough to come up with new ways to express it to people. These are the ‘saints”, Bodhisattvas, Arhats, Roshis, Myokonin, Tulkus, Mahasiddhis, etc. Any group that did not get results would naturally stagnate.

Since the Buddha, rather than just repeating what was taught to him , actually viewed reality unfiltered and came up with new ways to show others how to do the same, who then is closer to the original? Those who merely parrot what the Buddha taught, or the wacky saints?

Answer by Patricia
Hi,

The essence of all the different kinds of Buddhism is basically the same it’s just the presentation that is different. As Buddhism traveled from country to country over the years it took on the local customs and traditions and sometimes even incorporated different aspects of the local religion within itself.
https://www.tibetanlife.com/basic-beliefs-of-buddhism.html

Patricia