The Uniqueness and Similarities of Mahayana and Theravada Buddhism

Let us explain the uniqueness and similarities of Mahayana and Theravada Buddhism.

Both Mahayana and Theravada Buddhism celebrate various events in the life of a man from India, the Buddha Gautama.

These include “his birth, enlightenment, and passage into nirvana. … The birth of the Buddha is celebrated in April or May, depending upon the lunar date, in these countries. In Japan, which does not use a lunar calendar, the Buddha’s birth is celebrated on April 8” (“Buddha,” n.d.).

Theravada Buddhism (from Pali words ‘thera,’ meaning ‘elders,’ and ‘vada,’ meaning  ‘word’ or ‘doctrine’), the ‘Doctrine of the Elders,’ is the name for the school of Buddhism that takes its scriptural inspiration from the Pali Canon, or Tipitaka.

This text, which Theravada Buddhism considers as holy, is generally acknowledged as the oldest record of the teachings of that man from India–Siddharta Gautama.

The detailed discussions about Theravada Buddhism is available here: Theravada Buddhism 101: The ‘Teachings of the Elders’)

On the other hand, Mahayana Buddhism is the branch of Buddhism prominent in North Asia, such as in China, Mongolia, Tibet, Korea, and Japan.

Arising out of schisms, basically about both doctrine and monastic rules, within Indian Buddhism in the first century C.E., this Buddhism (Mahayana Buddhism) which is also known as the Great Vehicle (naturally) considers itself a more genuine version of the Buddhism.

Nevertheless, the roots of Mahayana Buddhism can also be traced from India. You may read more about this in: Mahayana Buddhism 101: The Faith in ‘Great Vehicle’

Continue reading hereHinduism, Theravada Buddhism, and Mahayana Buddhism: A Comparative Analysis

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