Theravada Buddhism and Mahayana Buddhism

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Recommended: Similarities and uniquenessof theravada and mahayana buddhism

There are two forms of Buddhism that are still prevalent in society today, these are Theravada and Mahayana. Both these traditions have existed for many centuries and encompass important beliefs derived from the Pali Canon and other ancient Indian Buddhist literature. They revert back to the orthodox teachings presented by the historical Gautama Buddha such as The Four Noble Truths and The Eightfold Path. Both these forms of Buddhism stay devoted to the traditional beliefs that the religion was built from and they accept the same basic understandings. However, the concept of enlightenment and how it is attained is debated among these two groups and it is the only major difference between the two Buddhist forms.

The Third Council to occur after the death of the Buddha was called the Council of Pataliputra which occurred in 350 B.C.E. This council created a huge impact on the history of Buddhism and changed the way in which Buddhism is practiced. The Great Schism occurred during this council which led to the division of a once close-knit Buddhist community. This division arose because of a disagreement between traditional orthodox Buddhists and more forward-thinking Buddhists; these groups debated the importance of arhants in comparison to Buddhas and bodhisattavas. This division was among the Sthaviras or Elders who emphasized orthodox Buddhist beliefs and subscribed to traditional values and rules set forth by the Buddha; and the Mahasamghikas or The Great Assembly who presented many innovative ideas to the Buddhism belief. The Mahasamghika sect became the most successful belief system in India and led to the development of numerous other schools to branch from the original. Mahasamghika provided a major stepping stone ...

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...ltimate purpose of what one’s life should be, whether to be an Arhat or a Bodhisattva, and they do not see eye-to-eye on how this title can be attained. These differences are important among a religion however, for it provides followers with options of how they choose to pursue their beliefs.

Works Cited

Prebish, Charles, and Damien Keown. Introducing Buddhism. 2nd ed. New York: Routledge, 2010. Print.

Strong, John. The Experience of Buddhism: Sources and Interpretations. 3rd ed. Belmont, CA: Thomson/Wadsworth, 2007. Print.

"The Buddhist Schools: Theravada and Mahayana." BuddhaNet. Web. 5 Apr. 2015.

"Theravada vs. Mahayana Buddhism." Differences Between Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism. 17 Mar. 2004. Web. 5 Apr. 2015.

"Theravada - Mahayana Buddhism." Urban Dharma. Web. 5 Apr. 2015.

Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation. Web. 5 Apr. 2015.

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