Difference Between Mahayana and Theravada

Explanation of Mahayana and Theravada

Mahayana and Theravada are two major branches of Buddhism, which originated in ancient India and have since spread to many parts of the world. Both branches share many fundamental teachings, such as the Four Noble Truths, the Eightfold Path, and the concept of karma. However, they also have significant differences in their philosophy, practices, and scriptures.

Theravada, also known as the “Doctrine of the Elders,” is considered the oldest surviving branch of Buddhism. It emphasizes the teachings of the Pali Canon, a collection of scriptures in the ancient Pali language, and focuses on individual liberation from suffering through the practice of meditation and the development of wisdom. Theravada also emphasizes the importance of following the monastic path, in which monks and nuns live a life of simplicity and renunciation.

Mahayana, on the other hand, emphasizes the path of the bodhisattva, a being who seeks enlightenment not only for themselves but for the benefit of all sentient beings. Mahayana also emphasizes the importance of compassion and altruism in addition to wisdom, and it teaches the concept of Buddha-nature, which is the inherent potential for awakening that all beings possess. Mahayana scriptures include the Prajnaparamita Sutras, the Lotus Sutra, and the Avatamsaka Sutra, among others.

The main difference between Mahayana and Theravada is their approach to the path of liberation. While Theravada emphasizes individual liberation through meditation and wisdom, Mahayana emphasizes the liberation of all sentient beings and emphasizes the development of both wisdom and compassion.

Importance of understanding the differences between Mahayana and Theravada

Understanding the differences between Mahayana and Theravada is important for several reasons:

1. Respect for diversity: Buddhism has spread to many parts of the world, and there are many different traditions and schools within Buddhism. Understanding the differences between Mahayana and Theravada helps us appreciate and respect the diversity within Buddhism.
2. Choosing the right path: For those interested in studying or practicing Buddhism, understanding the differences between Mahayana and Theravada can help them choose the path that is most suitable for them.
3. Avoiding misunderstandings: Due to the differences in philosophy, practices, and scriptures, there can be misunderstandings and misinterpretations between practitioners of Mahayana and Theravada. Understanding the differences can help avoid such misunderstandings and promote better communication and understanding between practitioners of different traditions.
4. Broadening knowledge: Learning about different Buddhist traditions can broaden our understanding of Buddhist philosophy, practices, and history. This can enhance our appreciation of the richness and depth of Buddhist teachings and help us deepen our own practice.

Understanding the differences between Mahayana and Theravada is important for promoting respect, understanding, and appreciation for the diversity within Buddhism, and for choosing the path that is most suitable for our own spiritual journey.

Origin and History of Mahayana and Theravada

Mahayana and Theravada have different origins and histories, which have contributed to the development of their distinct philosophical and religious traditions.

Theravada Buddhism originated in ancient India, around the 3rd century BCE, shortly after the passing of the Buddha. It is based on the teachings of the Pali Canon, which was preserved by the Theravada school and is considered the oldest surviving Buddhist scriptures. Theravada was predominant in India until the 1st century BCE, when Mahayana began to emerge as a new Buddhist tradition.

Mahayana Buddhism emerged in India around the 1st century CE as a response to the changing social and political climate of the time. Mahayana texts, such as the Lotus Sutra and the Heart Sutra, presented a more expansive and inclusive view of Buddhism, emphasizing the importance of compassion and the pursuit of the bodhisattva path. Mahayana also emphasized the concept of Buddha-nature, which is the inherent potential for awakening that all beings possess. Mahayana Buddhism spread throughout Asia, with major centers of influence in China, Japan, Korea, and Tibet.

Over time, Mahayana and Theravada evolved into distinct philosophical and religious traditions, with different interpretations of Buddhist teachings and practices. While Theravada emphasizes the importance of individual liberation through meditation and the development of wisdom, Mahayana emphasizes the liberation of all sentient beings and the development of both wisdom and compassion. Mahayana also includes a wider range of texts, practices, and deities than Theravada.

Despite these differences, Mahayana and Theravada have had a significant impact on each other, and there are many similarities and shared teachings between the two traditions. Both traditions continue to evolve and adapt in response to new cultural and social contexts, and they remain important spiritual traditions for millions of people around the world.

Difference Between Mahayana and Theravada

Philosophical Differences between Mahayana and Theravada

There are several philosophical differences between Mahayana and Theravada Buddhism, which reflect different interpretations of Buddhist teachings and practices. Here are some of the key differences:

1. The concept of Buddha-nature: Mahayana emphasizes the concept of Buddha-nature, which is the inherent potential for awakening that all beings possess. This concept suggests that all beings have the potential to become buddhas, and that enlightenment is not only possible but also innate. In contrast, Theravada does not emphasize the concept of Buddha-nature and focuses more on the individual pursuit of liberation through meditation and wisdom.
2. The role of compassion: Mahayana emphasizes the importance of compassion and altruism in addition to wisdom, and teaches the concept of the bodhisattva, a being who seeks enlightenment not only for themselves but for the benefit of all sentient beings. In contrast, Theravada emphasizes the development of wisdom as the primary means of liberation, although compassion and loving-kindness are also important.
3. The path to liberation: Mahayana emphasizes the bodhisattva path, which involves the development of both wisdom and compassion, and the aspiration to liberate all sentient beings. Mahayana also emphasizes the use of skillful means (upaya) to help beings on the path to liberation. In contrast, Theravada emphasizes the individual path of meditation and wisdom, with the ultimate goal of attaining arhatship, which is the state of complete liberation from suffering.
4. The role of monasticism: Theravada places great emphasis on monasticism as the ideal path to liberation, and the sangha (monastic community) is considered an essential aspect of Buddhist practice. In contrast, Mahayana places less emphasis on monasticism and acknowledges that laypeople can also practice and attain enlightenment.

The differences between Mahayana and Theravada reflect different interpretations of Buddhist teachings and practices, and each tradition offers a unique approach to the path of liberation. However, both traditions share many fundamental teachings and practices, such as the Four Noble Truths, the Eightfold Path, and the concept of karma.

Scriptures of Mahayana and Theravada

Mahayana and Theravada have different sets of scriptures that reflect their distinct philosophical and religious traditions.

Theravada Buddhism’s scriptures are based on the Pali Canon, also known as the Tipitaka, which is the oldest and most complete surviving collection of Buddhist texts. The Pali Canon includes three main sections: the Vinaya Pitaka, which contains the rules and regulations for the monastic community; the Sutta Pitaka, which contains discourses attributed to the Buddha and his close disciples; and the Abhidhamma Pitaka, which contains a philosophical and psychological analysis of Buddhist teachings.

Mahayana Buddhism has a wider range of scriptures than Theravada, including texts from various Buddhist schools and traditions. The main Mahayana sutras, or discourses, include the Lotus Sutra, the Heart Sutra, the Diamond Sutra, and the Avatamsaka Sutra. These sutras present a more expansive and inclusive view of Buddhism, emphasizing the importance of compassion, the bodhisattva path, and the concept of Buddha nature. Mahayana also has a rich tradition of commentaries, treatises, and other literature that further elaborate on Buddhist teachings and practices.

In addition to these main scriptures, both Mahayana and Theravada have a wide range of other texts, including ritual manuals, biographies, poetry, and stories. These texts have been studied, translated, and transmitted by Buddhist scholars and practitioners for centuries, and continue to be important sources of inspiration and guidance for Buddhists around the world.

Practices and Rituals of Mahayana and Theravada

Mahayana and Theravada Buddhism have different practices and rituals that reflect their distinct traditions and cultural contexts. Here are some of the main practices and rituals of each tradition:

Theravada Buddhism:

1. Meditation: Meditation is a core practice in Theravada Buddhism, and is considered essential for developing mindfulness, concentration, and insight into the nature of reality.
2. Vipassana: Vipassana is a specific type of meditation practice that involves cultivating awareness of one’s thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations in order to gain insight into the impermanence, unsatisfactoriness, and non-self nature of phenomena.
3. Dana: Dana is the practice of generosity, which is considered an important means of accumulating positive karma and developing wholesome qualities such as compassion and gratitude.
4. Pindapata: Pindapata is the practice of alms-giving, in which monks and nuns go on a daily alms round to receive food from laypeople.
5. Vassa: Vassa is the three-month monastic retreat that takes place during the rainy season in Theravada countries, during which monks and nuns intensify their meditation practice and study of Buddhist texts.

Mahayana Buddhism:

1. Meditation: Like Theravada Buddhism, meditation is a core practice in Mahayana Buddhism, and is considered essential for developing mindfulness, concentration, and insight.
2. Bodhisattva vows: Mahayana practitioners take bodhisattva vows, which involve making a commitment to strive for enlightenment not only for one’s own benefit but also for the benefit of all sentient beings.
3. Prostrations: Prostrations are a physical practice in which practitioners bow down and offer respect to the Buddha, dharma, and sangha, as well as to other enlightened beings and spiritual teachers.
4. Mantra recitation: Mantra recitation involves repeating sacred sounds or phrases, such as the mantra of Avalokiteshvara, the bodhisattva of compassion.
5. Offering ceremonies: Offering ceremonies involve making symbolic offerings, such as flowers, incense, and food, as a way of cultivating generosity and creating merit.

Both Mahayana and Theravada emphasize the importance of ethical conduct, meditation, and wisdom as key practices for developing inner peace, compassion, and enlightenment. However, each tradition has its own unique practices and rituals that reflect its distinct philosophical and cultural heritage.

Schools of Mahayana and Theravada

Both Mahayana and Theravada Buddhism have different schools that reflect their diverse historical and philosophical developments. Here are some of the main schools of each tradition:

Theravada Buddhism:

1. Theravada: This is the dominant school of Buddhism in Southeast Asia, and emphasizes the study of the Pali Canon and the practice of meditation as the path to liberation.
2. Thai Forest Tradition: This is a monastic movement within Theravada Buddhism that emphasizes strict adherence to the Vinaya rules and a meditative lifestyle in the forest.
3. Vipassana Movement: This is a contemporary movement that emphasizes the practice of Vipassana meditation as taught by the Burmese meditation master Mahasi Sayadaw and his students.
4. Dhammayuttika Nikaya: This is a reformist monastic order in Thailand that emphasizes strict adherence to the Vinaya rules and a focus on meditation.

Mahayana Buddhism:

1. Zen: This is a school of Buddhism that emphasizes the practice of meditation and the direct experience of enlightenment, often through the use of koans or paradoxical riddles.
2. Pure Land: This is a devotional school of Buddhism that emphasizes the practice of chanting the name of Amitabha Buddha, with the aspiration of being reborn in his Pure Land.
3. Tibetan Buddhism: This is a diverse tradition of Buddhism that includes various schools, such as Nyingma, Kagyu, Sakya, and Gelug, and emphasizes the use of visualization, mantra, and other practices to cultivate compassion and wisdom.
4. Tiantai: This is a Chinese school of Buddhism that emphasizes the Lotus Sutra as the highest teaching of the Buddha, and the concept of “three truths” that reconciles different philosophical perspectives.

These are just a few examples of the many schools and lineages within Mahayana and Theravada Buddhism, each with their own unique practices, teachings, and spiritual leaders.

Influence and Popularity of Mahayana and Theravada

Mahayana and Theravada are two major branches of Buddhism that have had a significant influence on the spiritual and cultural traditions of Asia and beyond. Here are some of the main ways in which Mahayana and Theravada have had an impact:

Theravada Buddhism:

1. Southeast Asia: Theravada is the dominant form of Buddhism in Southeast Asia, where it has been a central part of the cultural and religious traditions of countries such as Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, and Sri Lanka.
2. Insight Meditation: The Vipassana movement within Theravada Buddhism has had a significant impact on the development of mindfulness-based therapies and meditation practices in the West.
3. Western Buddhism: Theravada teachings and practices have been influential in the development of Western Buddhism, particularly in the United States, where there are many Theravada meditation centers and monastic communities.

Mahayana Buddhism:

1. East Asia: Mahayana has been a dominant form of Buddhism in East Asia, where it has influenced the cultural and religious traditions of countries such as China, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam.
2. Zen Buddhism: Zen is a school of Mahayana Buddhism that has had a significant impact on the cultural and artistic traditions of Japan, as well as on Western popular culture.
3. Tibetan Buddhism: Tibetan Buddhism is a diverse and vibrant tradition within Mahayana that has had a significant impact on the spiritual and cultural traditions of Tibet, as well as on the Western understanding of Buddhism.
4. Western Buddhism: Mahayana teachings and practices have also been influential in the development of Western Buddhism, particularly in the United States, where there are many Zen, Tibetan, and other Mahayana meditation centers and monastic communities.

Both Mahayana and Theravada have had a significant impact on the spiritual and cultural traditions of Asia and beyond, and continue to inspire and guide millions of practitioners around the world.

Conclusion

Mahayana and Theravada Buddhism are two major branches of Buddhism with different historical, philosophical, scriptural, and ritual traditions. While there are some similarities between the two traditions, such as the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path, there are also significant differences in terms of their emphasis on compassion, wisdom, and the path to liberation.

It is important to understand these differences in order to appreciate the diversity and richness of Buddhist traditions and to develop a deeper understanding and respect for the various schools and lineages within Buddhism.

Both Mahayana and Theravada Buddhism have had a significant impact on the spiritual and cultural traditions of Asia and beyond, and continue to inspire and guide practitioners around the world.

Reference Link

Here are some recommended links for further reading on Mahayana and Theravada Buddhism:

1. “Theravada Buddhism” on Access to Insight – https://www.accesstoinsight.org/theravada.html
2. “Mahayana Buddhism” on The Buddhist Centre – https://thebuddhistcentre.com/text/mahayana-buddhism
3. “Mahayana and Theravada Buddhism: A Comparison” on Buddhanet – https://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/history/schools.htm
4. “The Differences between Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism” on BuddhaNet – https://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/history/schools.htm
5. “Mahayana Buddhism: Definition, Beliefs, Practices, and History” on ThoughtCo – https://www.thoughtco.com/mahayana-buddhism-449977

These links offer detailed information on the origin, history, philosophy, scriptures, practices, and schools of Mahayana and Theravada Buddhism. They also provide a comparative analysis of the two traditions and their differences.

Reference Book

Here are some reference books that can provide comprehensive information on Mahayana and Theravada Buddhism:

1. “The Princeton Dictionary of Buddhism” edited by Robert E. Buswell Jr. and Donald S. Lopez Jr.
2. “An Introduction to Buddhism: Teachings, History and Practices” by Peter Harvey.
3. “The Heart of the Buddha’s Teaching” by Thich Nhat Hanh.
4. “Buddhism: One Teacher, Many Traditions” by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Thubten Chodron.
5. “The World of Buddhism: Buddhist Monks and Nuns in Society and Culture” by Heinz Bechert.

These books offer a detailed analysis of the concepts, teachings, and practices of Mahayana and Theravada Buddhism. They also provide historical and cultural contexts of Buddhism, including the development of different schools and lineages.