Mahayana Buddhism and Theravada Buddhism are two major schools of Buddhism that have have developed over the centuries. Both traditions have their roots in the teachings of the Buddha, who lived in ancient India over 2,500 years ago.
However, over time, these two traditions have evolved in different ways and have come to emphasize different aspects of the Buddha’s teachings.
In this article, we will explore the differences between Mahayana Buddhism and Theravada Buddhism, and how these differences have shaped the development and evolution of these two traditions over time.
Mahayana Buddhism vs Theravada Buddhism: Key Differences
One of the most significant differences between Mahayana Buddhism and Theravada Buddhism concerns their understanding of the Buddha’s teachings.
Mahayana Buddhism, which developed in India and later spread throughout East Asia, emphasizes the importance of the “Mahayana sutras,” which are texts that are believed to contain the highest and most comprehensive teachings of the Buddha.
According to Mahayana teachings, these sutras reveal the ultimate nature of reality and offer a path to enlightenment that is open to all beings.
In contrast, Theravada Buddhism, which developed in Sri Lanka and later spread to Southeast Asia, places a greater emphasis on the “Pali Canon,” which is a collection of texts that are believed to contain the earliest and most authentic teachings of the Buddha.
Theravada Buddhists believe that these texts offer a more direct and practical path to enlightenment, and they place a strong emphasis on the importance of following the Buddha’s teachings as they are recorded in the Pali Canon.
Another key difference between Mahayana Buddhism and Theravada Buddhism concerns their understanding of the nature of reality.
Mahayana Buddhism teaches that the ultimate nature of reality is empty and insubstantial, and that the distinction between subject and object is ultimately illusory.
According to Mahayana teachings, the ultimate goal of the spiritual path is to cultivate a state of mind that is free from suffering and filled with compassion for all beings.
In contrast, Theravada Buddhism teaches that the ultimate nature of reality is characterized by “three marks of existence” – impermanence, suffering, and non-self.
According to Theravada teachings, the ultimate goal of the spiritual path is to realize the true nature of these three marks, and to cultivate a state of detachment and equanimity in the face of life’s challenges.
A third difference between Mahayana Buddhism and Theravada Buddhism is their understanding of the path to enlightenment.
Mahayana Buddhism emphasizes the importance of cultivating the mind of a “bodhisattva,” or a being who is dedicated to helping others achieve enlightenment.
According to Mahayana teachings, the path to enlightenment involves not only cultivating one’s own spiritual development, but also actively working to benefit others and create positive change in the world.
In this sense, Mahayana Buddhism places a strong emphasis on compassion and altruism as key components of the spiritual path.
In contrast, Theravada Buddhism emphasizes the importance of cultivating “insight” and “wisdom” as the primary means of achieving enlightenment.
In Theravada teachings, the path to enlightenment involves developing a deep understanding of the nature of reality, one’s own true nature, and letting go of attachments and delusions that cause suffering.
In this sense, Theravada Buddhism places a strong emphasis on mindfulness and concentration as key components of the spiritual path.
Mahayana Buddhism emerged in India around the 1st century CE, and it quickly spread throughout East Asia, becoming the dominant form of Buddhism in countries such as China, Japan, and Korea.
On the other hand, Theravada Buddhism developed in Sri Lanka and later spread to Southeast Asia, where it remains the dominant form of Buddhism today.
Summary
- Mahayana Buddhism emphasizes the importance of the “Mahayana sutras,” which are texts that are believed to contain the highest and most comprehensive teachings of the Buddha, while Theravada Buddhism places a greater emphasis on the “Pali Canon,” which is a collection of texts that are believed to contain the earliest and most authentic teachings of the Buddha.
- Mahayana Buddhism teaches that the ultimate nature of reality is empty and insubstantial, while Theravada Buddhism teaches that the ultimate nature of reality is characterized by “three marks of existence” – impermanence, suffering, and non-self.
- Mahayana Buddhism emphasizes the importance of cultivating the mind of a “bodhisattva,” or a being who is dedicated to helping others achieve enlightenment, while Theravada Buddhism emphasizes the importance of cultivating “insight” and “wisdom” as the primary means of achieving enlightenment.
- Mahayana Buddhism emphasizes the importance of compassion and altruism as key components of the spiritual path, while Theravada Buddhism emphasizes mindfulness and concentration as key components of the spiritual path.
- Mahayana Buddhism developed in India and later spread throughout East Asia, while Theravada Buddhism developed in Sri Lanka and later spread to Southeast Asia.
- Mahayana Buddhism includes a wide range of spiritual practices, including devotion to deities and bodhisattvas, chanting, and visualization practices, while Theravada Buddhism emphasizes meditation and other practices that cultivate a state of awareness and insight.
- Mahayana Buddhism includes a number of different schools and traditions, each with its own unique teachings and practices, including the Tibetan, Chinese, and Japanese traditions, while Theravada Buddhism includes a number of different schools and traditions, such as the Sri Lankan, Thai, and Burmese traditions.
- Mahayana Buddhism emphasizes the concept of “emptiness,” which means that all phenomena are empty of inherent existence and are interconnected and interdependent, while Theravada Buddhism emphasizes the concept of “dependent origination,” which means that all phenomena arise in dependence upon other causes and conditions.
- Mahayana Buddhism emphasizes the importance of “engaging in the world,” and encourages practitioners to find ways of expressing their understanding of the Buddha’s teachings in their everyday lives, while Theravada Buddhism emphasizes the importance of “withdrawing from the world,” and encourages practitioners to cultivate a life of renunciation and simplicity.
Conclusion
While both Mahayana Buddhism and Theravada Buddhism offer valuable insights and practices for those seeking to understand and awaken to the ultimate nature of reality, they also have their own distinctive approaches and emphases that make them distinct from one another.
Whether through the emphasis on compassion and altruism in Mahayana Buddhism, or the emphasis on insight and wisdom in Theravada Buddhism, both traditions offer paths that can lead to a deeper understanding of the Buddha’s teachings and to a greater sense of peace and fulfillment in life.
Despite their differences, both Mahayana Buddhism and Theravada Buddhism share a common foundation in the teachings of the Buddha, and both traditions hold the goal of awakening to the true nature of reality as their ultimate aim.
Both Mahayana Buddhism and Theravada Buddhism offer valuable insights and practices that can help us to live more meaningful, fulfilling lives, and can help us to overcome suffering and awaken to our true nature as beings of compassion, wisdom, and love.