What practices are included in (daily lay) life for a Buddhist?

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)