Comparison chart
Differences — Similarities —
Mahayana versus Theravada comparison chart
Mahayana
Belief There is the belief that some
celestial beings exist in other
realms but cannot help people
Goal of religion Becoming a Buddha, hence
fulfilling the destiny of a
Bodhisattva, enlightenment &
inner peace.
Place of worship Temples and monasteries.
Practices Meditation, regularly visit to
temples to make offerings to the
Buddha.
Place of origin India
Founder Siddhartha Gautama
Literal Meaning Mahayana means "Great vehicle"
Concept of Deity There are deities, celestical
beings, but nothing like creator
gods of theistic religions. Though
Theravada
There are no beliefs. However,
there is a faculty of conviction
that is required for a worldling in
order to start their practice.
Initially, it has to be embraced
that the Buddha is fully
enlightened, thus actual
investigation might follow.
Deliverance of mind. Becoming
an Arahant and freeing one's self
from bondage, namely samsara.
There is no worship
in Theravada, though there are
monastic temples.
Donation (alms-giving, etc.),
Morality, and Meditation (insight).
(Morality is nobler than donation
and meditation is nobler than
morality.)
Indian subcontinent
Siddhāttha Gotama
Theravada means "teaching of
the elders". It refers to the pure or
original teachings of the Buddha
over 2500 years ago.
There are classes of beings.
Some are called devas, higher
life forms than human beings,
 Mahayana versus Theravada comparison chart
Mahayana
it is believed that some devas are
able to help lower beings.
God's role in Mahayanists don't believe in a
salvation Supreme Being Who is the
Creator of the universe. Some do
believe in numerous devas.
Clergy Monks, Nuns, Laypeople , Clergy-
People, , disciples & Monastics
Means of Becoming a Buddha, through the
salvation path of the Bodhisattva. A
Bodhisattva is an enlightened
being to an extent, seeking full
enlightenment out of compassion
for all beings.
Status of women Equal to men, are able to become
clergy-people. Anyone of any sex
or gender identity can become a
Mahayana Buddhist, Sex and
Gender are both impermanent and
fluid.
Use of statues Statues are used for meditation
and pictures and prayers.
Marriage Not required. Marriage is viewed
as a secular concept.
Theravada
though nothing supernatural.
They are all stuck in their own
samsara. There is no absolute
entity, as an existing entity is
seen as a conditioned
phenomenon.
Theravada rejects the concept of
creator god. Beings are heirs of
their own kamma.
Sangha; ones who live according
to the monastic codes. The
concept of monk, or nun did not
exist in earlier Buddhism. Those
who chose to live under the
guidance of the Tathāgata
(Siddhāttha Gotama) parted from
the worldlings.
Attaining Nibbāna through the
Noble Eightfold Path, thus
becoming an Arahant, an
awakened one.
Women can join the Sangha. In
the Dharmic approach, the
Buddha was the very first to allow
women into monastic life.
Statues of the Buddha are
objects of meditation.
One can marry and lead a moral
life but should know that desire,
attachments and cravings lead to
suffering.
 Mahayana versus Theravada comparison chart
Mahayana
Religious Law Dharma is a set of instructions for
those willing to follow, not a set of
laws.
Confessing sins Confessing is not relevant, but
meditation practice may eliminate
negative impressions in mind
created by harmful actions.
Geographical Asia, Australia and North America.
distribution and
predominance
View of There are no specific views of
Abrahamic Abrahamic religions in the
religions Mahayana tradition of Buddhism.
They respect all beliefs.
Belief of God Non-Thestic, Some Atheists,
Some believe in gods.
Life after death Reincarnation.
Status of Adam N/A
About Inner Peace, Enlightenment,
Wisdom.
Angels No Angles
Identity of Jesus N/A.
Birth of Jesus Normal Birth
Promised Holy N/A.
Theravada
There are no religious laws in
Theravada, rather teachings of
wisdom, and the Dhamma for
those who are seeking liberation.
There is no concept of sin in
Theravada. Kamma implies
volitional action and all deeds
have their fruits. Nevertheless,
not being mentally attached to a
certain misdeed was strongly
adviced by the Buddha.
Asia, Australia and North
America.
There are no specific views of
Abrahamic religions in the
Dhamma of the Theravada.
Though they reject theism for
themselves.
N/A
Reincarnation, Heaven/Hell are
both temporary
N/A
Spiritual awakening one's self
through meditation.
N/A
Regular Person who preached
peace, love, and acceptance
Normal Birth, Regular Person.
None.
 Mahayana versus Theravada comparison chart
Mahayana
one.
Concept of God No gods
Death of Jesus Death by Crucifixion
Ressurection of N/A
Jesus
Human Nature Every human (or any other being)
is driven by illusory disturbing
emotions, ignorance and ego. On
the other hand each being has
indestructible perfect potential
(sometimes called a state of
Buddha) that is their true nature.
Clothes Some people wear robes while
others wear long clothing. Clothes
shouldn't be revealing to anyone.
View of the Founder of Buddhism. "Buddha"
Buddha can also be understood as a
nature of mind inherent in any
being or any being that realised
that state.
Second coming N/A
of Jesus
Introduction main existing branches of
Buddhism and a term for
classification of Buddhist
philosophies and practice. The
Buddhist tradition of Vajrayana is
sometimes classified as a part of
Mahayana Buddhism, but some
scholars may consider it as a
Theravada
N/A
Death by Crucifixion
Denied
Human life is very hard to obtain,
hence it is very important to
practice. An ordinary human is
called a puthujjana, a worldling.
This kind is motivated by their
illusory ego in all aspects of life.
Robes, Clothes comfortable for
meditation; not reveling.
The Tathāgata is the worthy one.
According to Theravada,
Siddhāttha Gotama had the
supreme enlightenment, which
makes him superior to an
Arahant. He's the one who
propounded the Four Noble
Truths and the Noble Eightfold
Path.
Denied.
(Pali, literally "school of the elder
monks") is a branch of Buddhism
that uses the teaching of the Pāli
Canon, a collection of the oldest
recorded Buddhist texts, as its
doctrinal core, but also includes a
rich diversity of traditions and
practices
 Mahayana versus Theravada comparison chart

Mahayana Theravada
different branc

View of theistic Mahayana Buddhists respect all The Buddha stated in doctrine
religions beliefs, though they see them as that such theistic ideas and
mistaken. overall organized religion have
the potential to drive someone
insane, thus causing fanaticism
or self-harm. According to
Theravada, such theistic ideas
originate out of false ego-belief.

Teachings Mahayana Buddhists usually Theravadins follow Siddhāttha

follow Siddhartha Gautama (The Gotama's teachings only. Their
Buddha) or sometimes Amitābha canonical texts are the Pali
who is a canonical figure, usually Canon, namely Tipitaka.
described as a celestical Buddha.
Prajñāpāramitā Sutras are one of
the main canonical texts of the
Mahayana tradition.

Mahāyāna (/ˌmɑːhəˈjɑːnə/; Sanskrit for "Great Vehicle") is one of two (or three, if Vajrayana is
counted separately) main existing branches of Buddhism (the other being Therevada) and a term for
classification of Buddhist philosophies and practice. This movement added a further set of
discourses, and although it was initially small in India, it had long-term historical significance.[1] The
Buddhist tradition of Vajrayana is sometimes classified as a part of Mahayana Buddhism, but some
scholars consider it as a different branch altogether.[2]
According to the teachings of Mahāyāna traditions, "Mahāyāna" also refers to the path of
the Bodhisattva seeking complete enlightenment for the benefit of all sentient beings, also called
"Bodhisattvayāna", or the "Bodhisattva Vehicle".[3][note 1] A bodhisattva who has accomplished this goal
is called a samyaksaṃbuddha, or "fully enlightened Buddha". A samyaksaṃbuddha can establish
the Dharma and lead disciples to enlightenment. Mahayana Buddhists teach that enlightenment can
be attained in a single lifetime, and this can be accomplished even by a layperson.[4]
The Mahāyāna tradition is the largest major tradition of Buddhism existing today, with 53.2% of
practitioners, compared to 35.8% for Theravada and 5.7% for Vajrayana in 2010.[5]
In the course of its history, Mahāyāna Buddhism spread from India to various
other South, East and Southeast Asian countries such
as Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, China, Taiwan, Mongolia, Korea, Japan, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malays
ia and Singapore. Mahayana Buddhism also spread to other South and Southeast Asian countries,
such as Afghanistan, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, the Maldives, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Burma, Iran and
other Central Asian countries before being replaced by Theravada Buddhism or other
religions.[6] Large Mahāyāna scholastic centers thrived during the latter period of Buddhism in India,
between the seventh and twelfth centuries.[1] Major traditions of Mahāyāna Buddhism today
include Chan Buddhism, Korean Seon, Japanese Zen, Pure Land Buddhism, Nichiren
Buddhism and Vietnamese Buddhism. It may also include the Vajrayana traditions
 of Tiantai, Tendai, Shingon Buddhism, and Tibetan Buddhism, which add esoteric teachings to the
Mahāyāna tradition.

Contents

 1Etymology
 2History
o 2.1Origins
o 2.2Earliest Mahayana sutras
o 2.3Earliest inscriptions
o 2.4Early Mahāyāna Buddhism
o 2.5Late Mahāyāna Buddhism
 3Doctrine
o 3.1Bodhisattva
o 3.2Expedient means
o 3.3Liberation
o 3.4Buddha nature
 4Scriptures
o 4.1Āgamas
o 4.2Turnings of the Dharma Wheel
o 4.3Early canon
 5Theravāda school
o 5.1Role of the Bodhisattva
o 5.2Theravāda and Hīnayāna
 6See also
 7Notes
 8References
 9Sources
 10Further reading
 11External links

Etymology[edit]
According to Jan Nattier, the term Mahāyāna ("Great Vehicle") was originally an honorary synonym
for Bodhisattvayāna ("Bodhisattva Vehicle")[7] — the vehicle of a bodhisattva seeking buddhahood for
the benefit of all sentient beings.[3] The term Mahāyāna (which had earlier been used simply as an
epithet for Buddhism itself) was therefore adopted at an early date as a synonym for the path and
the teachings of the bodhisattvas. Since it was simply an honorary term for Bodhisattvayāna, the
adoption of the term Mahāyāna and its application to Bodhisattvayāna did not represent a significant
turning point in the development of a Mahāyāna tradition.[7]
The earliest Mahāyāna texts often use the term Mahāyāna as a synonym for Bodhisattvayāna, but
the term Hīnayāna is comparatively rare in the earliest sources. The presumed dichotomy
between Mahāyāna and Hīnayāna can be deceptive, as the two terms were not actually formed in
relation to one another in the same era.[8]
Among the earliest and most important references to Mahāyāna are those that occur in the Lotus
Sūtra (Skt. Saddharma Puṇḍarīka Sūtra) dating between the 1st century BCE and the 1st century
CE.[9] Seishi Karashima has suggested that the term first used in an earlier Gandhāri Prakrit version
of the Lotus Sūtra was not the term mahāyāna but the Prakrit word mahājāna in the sense
of mahājñāna (great knowing).[10][11] At a later stage when the early Prakrit word was converted into
Sanskrit, this mahājāna, being phonetically ambivalent, was mistakenly converted into mahāyāna,
possibly because of what may have been a double meaning in the famous Parable of the Burning
House, which talks of three vehicles or carts (Skt: yāna).[note 2][10][12]