Mahayana & Theravada Comparison

• what countries are M and T dominant in

  M: Tibet, Japan, China, Malaysia, Bhutan

  T: Sri Lanka, Thailand, Cambodia and Laos
• what are M and T referred to

  T: 'school of the elders', the smaller vehicle, Nikaya, Hinyana

  M: greater vehicle
• what are the main Theravada attitudes to solving human condition and the Mahayana additions

  T: discipline, monasticism, eightfold path, 4 noble truths, Anicca and karma

  M: Bodhisattva path (helping others), 3 philosophical schools and interdependence
• how does Theravada regard Siddartha Gautama and how does Mahayana?

  T: regarded as founder and central spiritual figure (taking refuge in the Buddha). he is an inspiration and role model for Dharma

  M: anyone can be a Buddha as everyone has 'inner Buddha nature'. Buddha is a concept. Believe Siddartha Gautama was a Bodhisattva and so did not enter pari-Nirvana. he was enlightened before he lived his life as Gautama and his historical life/incarnation is seen as a skill in means as an aid to teach people the Dharma and help suffering beings. known as Shakymuni Buddha.
• what is the ideal lifestyle for enlightenment in T and M

  T: monasticism, essential to attain enlightenment

  M: can be a lay person or monastic (non-essential)

  both recognise that anyone can become enlightened however
• why is meditation important in Theravada and what are some Mahayana additions

  T: samatha and vipassana meditation used for cultivation, development of virtues, insight into Dharma and extinguishing 3 fires

  M: visualisation meditation also used, using images of celestial Bodhisattvas to focus on qualities
• what are the 5 precepts in Theravada and what are the Mahayana additions

  T: refrain/abstain from: harming any living beings, using false/harmful speech, intoxicants, taking what's not given and abusing sense pleasures

  M: also have 6 paramitas
• what are the monastic precepts and how do Mahayana Buddhists see them

  T: not mudering, stealing, no sexual misconduct and not claiming enlightenment which hasn't been achieved

  M: adapt Vinaya rules significantly, have been updated (e.g. can accept money and eat after midday)
• what are the ideas on mystical beings in M and T

  T: no use of mystical beings

  M: use of celestial Buddhas and Bodhisattvas
• what are the different texts in Mahayana and Theravada

  T: Pali Cannon

  M: additional sutras
• explain the Theravada concept of the Arhat

  - means 'worthy one' and refers to a person that has extinguished all fires, cravings, attachments, delusions and desires

  - at death Arhat escapes cycle of Samsara and enters pari-Nirvana
• what are the 4 stages to becoming an Arhat

  1. the stream enterer

  2. the once returner

  3. the non-returner

  4. the Arhat
• explain the first stage of becoming an Arhat


  - initial stage, one has entered the stream of realisation to the ocean of Nirvana

  - the first 3 fetters (illusion of the self, skepticism and attachment to ritual) are extinguished

  - first insight into selflessness (Anatta)
• explain the second stage of becoming an Arhat


  - realisation of no self becomes stronger and the Arhat is able to cool down desire for indulgence as they recognise it leads to Dukkha and Tanha

  - put out the fourth and fifth fetters (ill will and attachment to sensual desire)

  - Arhat will only have one more rebirth after this
• explain the third stage of becoming an Arhat

  hindrances such as greed, ignorance and hatred have been extinguished, the person is calm and content but subtle desire remains
• explain the fourth stage of becoming an Arhat

  - Nirvana is attained and the final five fetters (desire for existence in a world of forms, desire for existence in a formless world, conceit, restlessness and ignorance) have been extinguished

  - all craving and desire has been extinguished, the path has been realised and no further rebirths are necessary
• compare the Arhat and the Bodhisattva

  Arhat: Theravada ideal, must renounce and become a monastic, individual path, anybody can enter monastic order, no use of celestial beings, can be seen as elitist and you renounce from the worldly life and traditional physical labour, escapes from rebirth by attaining Nirvana

  
  

  Bodhisattva: Mahayana ideal and seen as superior, can still lead householder life, wants to help all beings, Bodhisattvas get a calling so is not for everyone although it's open to all, uses a variety of mythical beings to understand the Dharma, Bodhisattva comes in many forms which suit different people and Bodhisattva can enter monastic order but doesn't have to, Mahayana monks tend to focus on physical labour as good discipline, defer entry into pari-Nirvana and choose to be reborn