N00bishly n00b question here....

StaticToybox

I haven't really looked into individual schools or traditions of Buddhism thus far, so I'm really not very knowledgeable, as will show here. Can anyone sum up, in a nutshell, what the differences between Mahayana and Theravada are? I know Theravada is the older of the two, but that's about all I know.

Aeonuniversalis

The fundamental principles of Mahāyāna doctrine were based on the possibility of universal liberation from suffering for all beings (hence the "Great Vehicle") and the existence of buddhas and bodhisattvas embodying Buddha Nature.

This doctrine of Theravada says that insight must come from the aspirant's experience, critical investigation, and reasoning instead of by blind faith; however, the scriptures of the Theravadan tradition also emphasize heeding the advice of the wise, considering such advice and evaluation of one's own experiences to be the two tests by which practices should be judged.

Ah the wonders of Wikipedia those are what the 2 schools believe in a "nutshell"

shanyin

The Theravadin Buddhists goal seems to be to acheive Nirvana and end their cycle of rebirths.

The Mahayana seems to have the goal of ending all other beings rebirths.

(interested in hearing about what my fellow newbuddhist.comers think about my post)

SherabDorje

shanyin wrote: »

The Theravadin Buddhists goal seems to be to acheive Nirvana and end their cycle of rebirths.

The Mahayana seems to have the goal of ending all other beings rebirths.

(interested in hearing about what my fellow newbuddhist.comers think about my post)

That's it in a nutshell.

ThailandTom

I once thought about these different schools but never did any great research. I then came to hear a monk say that there should be no conflict between buddhists and other religions, that we should accept their beliefs and who they are as people. Then he went on to say that we should also accept the different schools of buddhism and prevent divides. I then delved into the different teachings a little and combined with my basic understanding of buddhism as a whole, I realised it is not necessary to follow a specific school. Did these schools not come into being a long time after the buddha himself founded buddhism?

sandy

That's an interesting thought, ThailandTom, as I wonder about the same question as the original poster. Thanks.

RichardH

Been practicing in both schools, Zen, (first one branch and recently a new one) and Theravada, (Thai Forest tradition) for twenty years. At first the differences were blurred in a new-agey way, then with study the differences became very distinct, then a gulf that was troubling. Then with deeping experiential practice the differences were revealed as two skilfull languages for one practice. This latter understanding is the authentic one.

StaticToybox

Richard H wrote: »

At first the differences were blurred...

That's pretty much where I've been. When I've looked into them the differences have seemed blurry so I've just kinda been like "ehh, whatever".

jinzang

The emphasis in Theravada is on suffering and impermanence. The emphasis in Mahayana is on bodhicitta and emptiness.