How do I know whether to study Mahayana Buddhism or Theravada?
I've read that they are both the teachings of the Buddha but that there are differences. I was just wondering what the main differences were between the two. I'd like to start on the right path! Thanks
Is your goal in this lifetime to reach Nirvana and attain enlightenment - or would you rather assist others in reaching Nirvana and attaining enlightenment, even if that means you must be reborn (a sacrifice of this life)?
If you answered yes to the first part, you should look into Theravada.
If you answered yes to the second part, you should look into Mahayana.
The difference between Mahayana and Theravada Buddhism are discussed in the Zhuan Falun Lecture, available on the web.
It could be difficult to find the Mahayana or Theravada scripture, or a Buddhist in the old practice . Therefore, I'd recommend the practice of Falun Gong. Falun Gong is a unique School, teaching an ancient gongnaggrandize for the body and mind based upon the universal principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Tolerance. Falun Gong was found in 1992 by Master Li Hongzhi in China. About 100 million followers like the practice in over 110 countries worldwide. Falun Gong consists of five sets of easy to learn exercises. If you need any help, contact the local practitioner in your area for free instructions.
Falun Gong, Tibetans, other Buddhists, and Christians have been persecuted in China. The most offensive human right violation is the organ harvesting from the Falun Gong practitioners in China.
http://www.falunhr.org/te/index.php?signature=1?=en
http://www.fofg.org/act/act_appeal.php?a_id=5
Theravada school (old school, for self enlightenment only)
[A] (Pali; Skt Sthaviravada; Jpn Joza-bu) (Lesser Vehicle,)
"Teaching of the Elders." One of the two schools formed by the first schism in the Buddhist Order that took place about one hundred years after Shakyamuni's death in India. As a result, the Order split into the Theravada school, The Theravada teaching was also introduced to Sri Lanka by King Ashoka's son Mahendra, where it developed and eventually spread to other parts of South and Southeast Asia. What is called Theravada, or Southern, Buddhism, can be traced to these teachings introduced to Sri Lanka. See also five teachings of Mahadeva; ten unlawful revisions.
( their are some individual Buddhist who reject the Lotus Sutra and call other Buddhist schools( cults) who practice to spread Buddhism for world peace, Please look at the web sites and judge for yourself)
Mahayana Buddhism
[????] ( Jpn Daijo-bukkyo)
Buddhism of the Great Vehicle. The Sanskrit maha means great, and yana, vehicle. One of the two major divisions of the Buddhist teachings, Mahayana and Hinayana. Mahayana emphasizes altruistic practice?called the bodhisattva practice?as a means to attain enlightenment for oneself and help others attain it as well. In contrast, Hinayana Buddhism (Buddhism of the Lesser Vehicle, hina meaning lower or lesser), as viewed by Mahayanists, aims primarily at personal awakening, or attaining the state of arhat through personal discipline and practice.Around the end of the first century B.C.E. and the beginning of the first century C.E., a new Buddhist movement arose. Its adherents called it Mahayana, indicating a teaching that can serve as a vehicle to carry a great number of people to a level of enlightenment equal to that of the Buddha. They criticized the older conservative schools for seeking only personal enlightenment, derisively.
I am a Soka Gakkai Buddhist, and we follow the bodhisattva practice of
Mahayana Buddhism to spread Buddhism for a peacefull society, don"t be deceived by old school Buddhists, who only practice for themselfs. Please Just look at the different web sites and you judge for your self.
The right path is neither Theravada or Mahayana.
It is the path that goes inside yourself.
So, just observe yourself and you will be led to the right path.
You should make the decision.If you have time read and learn more and more about the both paths and then take your decision.
Theravada Buddhism is mostly followed in
Sri Lanka,Thailand,Myanmar..
Mahayana Buddhism mostly followed in China,Japan,Mongolia..
I am a Theravada Buddhist follower.I can recommend the following web sites for you to have a more experience about Theravada Buddhism.
One way of looking at Mahayana is that it is an extension of Theravada teachings as follow:
1) it embraces Theravada teachings. If you study Theravada teaching with a Bodhisattva heart (a compassionate heart to liberate all sentient beings), the teachings becomes Mahayana.
2) A Bodhisattva vow to liberate all sentient beings via the means of 5 vehicles -- heaven, human, Arahant (Theravada), Pratekyabuddha, and Buddha. Therefore, learning Theravada is part of a Bodhisattva's requirement along the way towards Buddhahood.
That said, if you have a strong wish to end all sufferings soonest, start with Theravada. Otherwise, read up more and understand the two better before you decide.
All the various traditions of Buddhism are excellent to follow.
*HTTP://www.buddhanet.net is one of the most reputable 'and' accurate websites to learn about Buddhism 'and' its various traditions:
http://www.buddhanet.net/ebooks.htm
It is helpful to know that all the Buddhist branches have this in common:
Gautama Buddha's way to truth was through the question of suffering. What is it? How does it arise? Can it be ended? How can we end it? When other spiritual teachers and philosophers asked The Buddha to describe his teaching, he would answer: "I teach one thing and one thing only; suffering and the end of suffering." After his enlightenment, he formulated The Four Noble Truths/The Noble Eightfold Path.
"The Four Noble Truths/The Noble Eightold Path are the very foundation of Buddhism.
The Four Noble Truths.?
1) There is suffering/dissatisfaction: suffering exists; it has a cause.
2) Suffering is caused by craving {selfish desires; selfish attachments.
3) There is an end to dissatisfaction/suffering is to be eliminated.
4) Suffering can be eliminated by following 'the Noble Eightfold Path'.
?Understanding The Four Noble Truths?
The Buddha himself said that he taught four ideas: dissatisfaction, cause, end, and the path. ?Dissatisfaction? refers to the unhappiness we feel in life. ?Cause? is the reason for the unhappiness: 'our undisciplined grasping mind'. ?End? is the Buddha?s promise that we end suffering by eradicating our cravings {selfish desires). ?Path? is the Eight Steps {Eightfold Path) we must take to reach this goal.
?Understanding The Fourth Truth: *The Eightfold Path.?
The Buddha?s Fourth Truth is the path that leads to the end of dissatisfaction and suffering. Its eight steps bring total peace and happiness to all those who mindfully follow them.
1) Right Understanding: Skillful Understanding of The Buddha?s message requires that we understand skillful behavior in terms of cause and effect and The Four Noble Truths and how they fit into the Buddha?s teachings.
2) Right Thoughts: Skillful Thinking introduces us to three positive thoughts: generosity or letting go, loving-kindness/loving-friendliness, and compassion.
3) Right Speech: Skillful Speech explains how telling the truth and avoiding malicious talk, harsh language, and gossip can help us advance on the path.
4) Right Action: Skillful Action lays out the principles for leading an ethical life, especially through following the five precepts: abstaining from killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, and intoxication.
5) Right Livelihood: Skillful Livelihood explains why choosing an appropriate job or profession is important to our spiritual practice and how we should approach questions of business ethics.
6) Right Effort: Skillful Effort lays out four steps we can take to motivate our practice: preventing negative states of mind, overcoming negative states of mind, cultivating positive states of mind, and maintaining positive states of mind.
7) Right Mindfulness: Skillful Mindfulness refers to the practice of mindfulness meditation, specifically cultivating mindfulness of your body, feelings, mind, and thoughts.
8) Right Concentration: Skillful Concentration refers to four stages of deep absorption we can reach in meditation.
Source - on The Four Noble Truths/Noble Eightfold Path:
"Eight Mindful Steps to Happiness: By: Bhante Henepola Gunaratana. It teaches how to follow The Noble Eightfold Path of Buddhism.
How do I know whether to study Mahayana Buddhism or Theravada?
