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¶ … Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism are related more to practice than to core doctrine, as both branches honor the Shakyamuni Buddha as the historical founder of Buddhism, believe in the efficacy of the sangha, and honor concepts central to Buddhism like the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path. However, the geographic and historical evolution of Mahayana and Theravada has led to some significant cultural differences and differences in expression and ritual between these two branches. Whereas Mahayana Buddhism spread more widely throughout East Asia including China, Korea, Japan, Tibet, and Nepal, Theravada Buddhism has historically been centered more in South and Southeast Asia, with hubs in Sri Lanka, Laos, Cambodia, and Thailand.
Goals such as wisdom and enlightenment remain common between Mahayana and Theravada, but the main difference between the two branches is with the sutras. Theravada is a branch of Buddhism that holds the Pali Canon as the main and only valid Buddhist text, whereas Mahayana Buddhism recognizes the value and validity of "hundreds" of other sutras (Peto, 2013). As a result, Theravada has been considerably more "conservative" and orthodox in nature than Mahayana and less flexible in its approach to the teachings of Buddha given the strict stance...
Mayahana Buddhism allows for liberal intellectual inquiry. Theravada Buddhism literally translates as "teaching of the elders," and Mahayana means "great vehicle," (Epstein, 1999). The reasons for why Mahayana and Theravada might have gone in their respective directions may have to do with culture and context. It is likely that the orthodox elements of Theravada Buddhism enabled the establishment of monastic orders separate from the laity, whereas in North and North-East Asia, the study of Buddhism was not necessarily viewed as being incompatible with the duties of mundane life.
Theravada Buddhism's strict adherence to the Pali Canon provides a clear-cut approach to study and practice. On the other hand, Mahayana Buddhism can be more complex and challenging, allowing for multiple interpretations of texts and multiple points-of-view regarding issues such as how to attain enlightenment and what to do once a person achieves enlightenment. One of the central differences in belief has to do with the willingness to become a Boddhisatva. A Mahayana Buddhist holds dear the concept of Boddhisatva, a being who chooses to remain in the cycle of rebirth in order to assist other beings in attaining the same goal (Epstein, 1999). Likewise, the Mahayana Buddhist…
References
Epstein, R. (1999). Clearing up some misconceptions about Buddhism. Retrieved online: http://online.sfsu.edu/rone/Buddhism/Misconceptions%20about%20Buddhism.htm
Peto, A. (2013). Mahayana and Theravada Buddhism. Retrieved online: http://www.alanpeto.com/buddhism/understanding-mahayana-theravada/
It is through the process of death and rebirth that the knowledge is gained which will finally liberate the individual being from the central cause of all suffering itself - the cycle of death and birth. Essentially, it is only through knowledge that this can be achieved in most Buddhist schools of thought. The rationale behind the importance of reincarnation as a process that is required to escape the centrality
This view is expressed in the Mahayana doctrine of the triple body (trikaya), of the Buddha. Such a view of Buddha also gave rise to the Mahayana concept of an infinite number of Buddhas, or transformation bodies of the essential Buddha, appearing in innumerable worlds to help others reach enlightenment. ("Mahayana Buddhism" para on Doctrine) The Theravadians consider the Pali Canon -- the earliest recording of Buddha's oral teachings --
It has to be noted however that this theoretical argument has met opposition from some scholars with others arguing that it is superfluous and did not give an obvious explanation to the origin of Mahayana Buddhism. Even though these three arguments have been supported by a number of scholars there is still a lot of debate with reference to the origin of Mahayana with a number believing that its origin
BUDDHISM vs. HINDUISM Describe essential teachings Buddha. How Buddhism modify Hinduism? How explain appeal Buddhism? Reference Describe the essential teachings of Buddha. How did Buddhism modify Hinduism? How can we explain the appeal of Buddhism? Both Buddhism and Hinduism share many similar features. Both possess the doctrine of karma, or the notion that one's actions in this life affect what transpires later on. However, while Hinduism preaches the doctrine of anatma, or self,
Very few lay people were exclusively Buddhist- that is, felt a commitment to Buddhism over against China's other religions" (Welch 1976, p.164). Moreover, Buddhism in China was largely an individual affair. The monastaries were not held together any type of hierarchy. "In China the largest unit was the monastery and the highest office was the abbotship. This meant that there was no mechanism for maintaining standards" (Welch 1976, p.175). As
Theravada Buddhist & Mahayana Buddhist views Buddha. In essay, I a concept practice religious tradition compare/contrast a similar related concept practice religious tradition ( case comparison arhant Theravada Buddha bodhisshatva Mahayana Buddha). "Thus have I heard" Buddhism incorporates three traditions: Theravada or the Southern Tradition (spread in Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Thailand, Laos and Burma/Myanmar), Mahayana or the Northern Tradition (Tibet, China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea and Mongolia) and Vajrayana also known as