Buddhist Sects: Mahayana vs Theravada

Buddhism Sects

• Emperor Kanishka of the Kushana dynasty is believed to be the founder of the Mahayana sect of Buddhism in the 1st century AD.
• Today, the majority of Buddhist followers worldwide (around 53.2% as of 2010) belong to the Mahayana sect.
• Countries where Mahayana Buddhism is prevalent include Nepal, Bangladesh, Japan, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Mongolia, China, Bhutan, and Tibet.

Mahayana Buddhism

• Mahayana means "the greater vehicle."
• The ultimate goal of Mahayana Buddhism is the cessation of kleshas (states of mind such as anxiety, fear, anger, jealousy, desire, depression, etc.) and the attainment of the sublime state of Nirvana.
• Mahayana followers believe in idol or image worship of Buddha.
• The concept of Bodhisattva is central to Mahayana Buddhism, where a Bodhisattva seeks complete enlightenment for the benefit of all beings.
• Mahayana is also called "Bodhisattvayana" or the "Bodhisattva Vehicle."

Theravada Buddhism

• Theravada means "the school of elder monks."
• The ultimate goal of Theravada Buddhism is "spiritual upliftment" through the attainment of Nirvana by practicing the Noble Eightfold Path.
• Theravada Buddhism believes in preserving Buddha's teachings in the Pali Canon as its doctrinal core.
• Theravada tradition emphasizes Samatha and Vipassana meditation and concentrating on the meaning of life under Buddhism.

Hinayana Buddhism

• Hinayana means "the lesser vehicle."
• Hinayana school includes followers of the original preaching of Buddha and is more of an orthodox school.
• Hinayana followers do not believe in idol or image worship of Buddha and believe in individual salvation through self-discipline and meditation.
• The ultimate aim of Hinayana is Nirvana.
• One of the sub-sects of Hinayana is Sthaviravada or Theravada.
• Hinayana scholars used the Pali language to interact with the masses.
• Emperor Ashoka patronized the Hinayana sect, and it is almost non-existent in its original form in the present age.

Vajrayana Buddhism

• Vajrayana is a sub-sect of Mahayana Buddhism developed in later periods.
• Vajrayana scholars predominantly used Sanskrit as a language.

Key Principles of Buddhism

• The eight key principles of Buddhism are: Dana (generosity), Sila (virtue, morality, discipline, and proper conduct), Ksanti (patience, tolerance, acceptance), Virya (energy, diligence, vigor, effort), Dhyana (one-pointed concentration), and Prajna (wisdom and insight).
• Avoid superstition and cultivate right understanding.
• The worth of a sincere and intelligent man is through right thoughts.

Learn about the Mahayana and Theravada sects of Buddhism, their differences, and the countries where they are predominantly followed. Discover how Emperor Kanishka of the Kushana dynasty is associated with the Mahayana sect.