Buddhism vs. Theravada

Theravada Buddhism is considered the oldest and claims to maintain Buddha's original vision and teachings. Mahayana Buddhism is said to have split off from Theravada in the belief that it was too self-centered and had lost the true vision; this school also claims it holds to the Buddha's original teaching.

1. How is Theravada Buddhism different?
2. What are the main differences between Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism?
3. What is unique about Theravada Buddhism?
4. What are the differences between Theravada Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhism?
5. Who is the God of Theravada Buddhism?
6. What does Theravada literally mean?
7. Is Zen Buddhism Theravada or Mahayana?
8. Why did Mahayana Buddhism split from Theravada Buddhism?
9. Is Theravada older than Mahayana?
10. What is not allowed in Buddhism?
11. Where is Theravada Buddhism most popular?
12. What are the 3 main beliefs of Buddhism?

How is Theravada Buddhism different?

In Theravada Buddhism the main Bodhisattvas is Maitreya. ... Theravada suggests Bodhisattvas seek enlightenment first before they can help others stuck in Samsara. In Mahayana Buddhism, Bodhisattvas have greater prominence. In Mahayana Buddhism, Bodhisattvas have greater prominence.

What are the main differences between Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism?

The main difference between these '2' Buddhist groups were their views on the Laity's possibility of enlightenment. Theravada claimed that only monks could achieve Nirvana; and Mahayana claimed that both monks and Laity could achieve nirvana.

What is unique about Theravada Buddhism?

Buddhism has two main traditions practiced by believers, Mahayana and Theravada, with Theravada being the more conservative of the two. Theravada practitioners believe that their version of the scripture is the oldest and most closely aligned to the Buddha's teachings.

What are the differences between Theravada Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhism?

While Theravada Buddhists see the Mahayana as having strayed into some heterodox teachings from scriptures not derived from the original speech of the Buddha, and Mahayana Buddhist see themselves as having both the teachings of the earthly Buddha and the deeper and fuller teachings which come from the heavenly Buddhas ...

Who is the God of Theravada Buddhism?

The Buddha: Siddhartha Gautama was a man who became Buddha, the Awakened One - much in the same way as Jesus became Christ. Since his death the only contact with him is through his teachings which point to the awakened state. God: There is no omnipotent creator God of the sort found in Judaism, Islam and Christianity.

What does Theravada literally mean?

Theravāda is the oldest surviving branch of Buddhism. The word is derived from the Sanskrit sthaviravada, and literally means "the Teaching of the Elders".

Is Zen Buddhism Theravada or Mahayana?

Zen Buddhism is classified as a form of Mahayana Buddhism, which means they revere saviors called Bodhisattvas. Zen Buddhism was originally formed in China under the name “Chan Buddhism”, and eventually found its way into Japan, where it picked up it's more popular Japanese name, Zen.

Why did Mahayana Buddhism split from Theravada Buddhism?

Theravada Buddhism is considered the oldest and claims to maintain Buddha's original vision and teachings. Mahayana Buddhism is said to have split off from Theravada in the belief that it was too self-centered and had lost the true vision; this school also claims it holds to the Buddha's original teaching.

Is Theravada older than Mahayana?

Theravada is the oldest, Mahayana developed some 500 years after the Budhhas death. Theravada means “the way of the elders”. The elders, being those who preserved the Buddhas teachings right after his death. ... Theravada is the oldest, Mahayana developed some 500 years after the Budhhas death.

What is not allowed in Buddhism?

Buddhists with this interpretation usually follow a lacto-vegetarian diet. This means they consume dairy products but exclude eggs, poultry, fish, and meat from their diet. On the other hand, other Buddhists consume meat and other animal products, as long as the animals aren't slaughtered specifically for them.

Where is Theravada Buddhism most popular?

It is the dominant religion in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and Thailand and is practiced by minorities in India, Bangladesh, China, Nepal, and Vietnam. The diaspora of all of these groups, as well as converts around the world, also embrace and practice Theravāda Buddhism.

What are the 3 main beliefs of Buddhism?

The teachings of the Buddha are aimed solely at liberating sentient beings from suffering. The Basic Teachings of Buddha which are core to Buddhism are: The Three Universal Truths; The Four Noble Truths; and • The Noble Eightfold Path.