Mahayana and Theravada Buddhism - 871 Words

What are the basic differences between Mahayana and Theravada Buddhism? The Theravada Buddhist believed that they practiced the original teachings of Buddhism as it was handed down to them by Buddha. Theravada Buddhism corresponds fairly exactly with the teachings of Buddha. Theravada Buddhism is based on the Four Noble Truths and the idea that all physical reality is a chain of causation. This includes the cycle of birth and rebirth. Through the practice of Eightfold Noble Path and the Four Cardinal Virtues, an individual can eventually attain Nirvana. Theravada Buddhism focused primarily on meditation and concentration, the eighth of the Eightfold Noble Path. As a result, it emphasized on a monastic life and required an†¦show more content†¦In looking at the Buddhist aspects of reincarnation it becomes necessary to understand the concept of Buddhist emptiness. Buddhists believe that nothing has an independent existence and everything is inherently empty. With the ability to realize this, the followers could better understand the world and overcome emotions and experiences that cause them suffering and remove from them their reliance of things of this world. Once they realized nothing has independent value there would be no reason to let their emotions guide them to wanting something that is inherently empty. Buddhist believe that instead of trying to escape life which for Nietzsche is impossible that we should embrace its experiences and overcome lifes suffering or live the eternal recurrence as an existential imperative. Buddhist believe that once they understood and realized that there is an end to suffering you can move onto a path of detaching yourself from ignorance of the world and transcend it. It is believed that the soul of a person that dies, returns to be born into another existence that will terminate and in due time will be born again. Hindu follows the Law of Karma, which believes that each separate deed of ones life determines their destiny. The deeds you do in life not only shape your charter but also the sole. The deeds give your soul a definite shape or re-embodiment which only allows you to feel a form that they can fit in to. These shapes can be of many forms determinedShow MoreRelatedTheravada And Mahayana Buddhism And Buddhism1433 Words   |  6 Pagesschisms of Buddhism due to different outlooks on the fundamental teachings and ideas of Buddhism. The two that have survived and are still current today are Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism. Theravada Buddhism is often found in southern locations, which include Sri Lanka, Thailand, Burma, Laos, Cambodia, and parts of Southeast Asia (Mitchell, pp. 91). Mahayana Buddhism, however, is found in the northern areas of the world, such as: Tibet, China, Taiwan, Japan, and more. These two schools of Buddhism bothRead MoreEssay on Theravada Buddhism and Mahayana Buddhism2768 Words   |  12 Pages 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 religionRead MoreDifferences Of Theravada And Mahayana Buddhism1181 Words   |  5 Pages There are two major divisions of Buddhism. These two major divisions are Theravada Buddhism and Mahayana Buddhism. Both of these divisions of Buddhism are similar but also different in some aspects. Theravada Buddhism is known as the traditions of the elders and Mahayana Buddhism is known as the expansive way. I will talk about three difference in Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism. There are also many little differences in both they will also be brought up in the describing the two divisions. OneRead MoreSimilarities And Differences Be tween Mahayana And Two Major Branches Of Buddhism1281 Words   |  6 Pages In Buddhism, the two major branches are the Theravada and Mahayana. Theravada is known as the â€Å"tradition of the elders.† Mahayana is called the â€Å"large vehicle.† Mahayana Buddhist came about after the first Buddhist council split. The second Buddhist council began a hundred years after the death of the Buddha. The councils came together to discuss the differences in buddha orders in which some Monks believed. They talked about the true meaning behind the Buddha teachings and certain practices. MonksRead MoreReligion Is Not A Single Term1613 Words   |  7 Pageshence the reason why Religion is not a single term. However, the following paper will only focus on Buddhist religion. Buddhism is said to have existed for more than 2,500 years, which surrounds a variety of beliefs, traditions and practices. All of which gives sentiment beings the true meaning and purpose of life. Particularl y about death, rebirth and suffering (Strong 2008). Buddhism is based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, who is also known as the Buddha. Siddhartha Gautama is considered theRead MoreThe Basic Buddhist Teachings773 Words   |  3 PagesWesterners to understand is the absence of the self. Buddhism calls the self the an-atta, or the opposite of the Hindu notion of atman or self. The self is made up of aggregates, but the various parts that make up our empirical personality, do not constitute a self, either individually or collectively. Our so-called self, then, is something bogus. It is, however, a concept that we cling to with great tenacity (The Three Marks, 2012, Know Buddhism). And this is the source of suffering, as we foolishlyRead MoreBuddhism Breaks Apart Essay example1402 Words   |  6 PagesBuddhism Breaks Apart Buddhism is the religion of spiritual enlightenment through the suppressing of one’s worldly desires. Buddhism takes one on the path of a spiritual journey, to become one with their soul. It teaches one how to comprehend life’s mysteries, and to cope with them. Founded in 525 B.C. by Siddhartha Gautama; Theravada Buddhism is the first branch of Buddhism; it was a flourishing religion in India before the invasions by the Huns and the Muslims, and Mahayana Buddhism formedRead MoreEssay about The Evolution of Buddhism 1182 Words   |  5 PagesBuddhism is a unique religion that bestows upon its members that their actions accumulate karma and too much bad karma leads to rebirth. A person reaches Nirvana (also known as heaven) when achieving enlightenment and is no longer subjected to rebirth. Buddhism also believes there is no one almighty god, but rather many gods, which they refer to as deities. Dharma is commonly known as the sacred teachings of a deity. The Buddha i s only born in certain situations that members are in need of re-teachingRead MoreBuddhism And Its Views On Buddhism973 Words   |  4 PagesBuddhism is one of the major religions of the world; it was founded in India and is based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, Buddha, or the Enlightened One/Awakened One. Buddhism is non-theistic and is not based on any concept of a supreme or one ruling God. A Buddhist approach is a naturalistic one and the sole purpose of the followers is to end or reduce suffering (dukkha) and attain a state of liberation or enlightenment and the freedom from the cycle of death and rebirth (Nirvana). BuddhistRead MoreHow Buddhism Has Impacted The World860 Words   |  4 PagesThroughout time, Buddhism has impacted the world. Whether Buddhism is shaping culture or the culture is shaping Buddhism they both allow other influences to impact each other. Examples like the four noble truths and the two sub groups, Theravada and Mahayana, both showed how they impact Buddhism. Also, Hinduism had a big effect on Buddhism. The 4 Noble truths are the most basic teachings in Buddhism. The first of the 4 noble truths is that ordinary life brings about suffering. The second Noble