What is the difference between Theravada Buddhism and Mahayana Buddhism?

What is the difference between Theravada Buddhism and Mahayana Buddhism?

About two blocks.

Theravada is 'stricter' - essentially it is required that you become a monk and journey to a monastery. It also emphasizes more on the fact that the path is one that one must take alone, that nobody can walk it for you.

Mahayana is more 'open', allowing for laypeople to participate without taking the 'full time job'. It also emphasizes more on helping each other along the path.

There are various doctrinal differences, for example, Mahayanists believe in Buddha-nature, which I am not really qualified to explain, though it is something like everyone having that capacity to be Buddha within them. But these are somewhat minor and the general attitude of both doctrine-wise is essentially the same.

Theravada Buddhism (the school of the elders) is a school of Buddhism that puts much emphasis on one of the oldest complete religious texts of Buddhism: the Pali Canon. In the Theravadin school of thought, denial of Devas and Brahmas and focusing on the central teachings of Buddhism (the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path) and advanced meditation techniques where one reaches the khans (deep states of absorption) are common. One other minor difference: the Pali, not Sanskrit, is the chosen language of liturgy.

Mahayana Buddhism (the greater vehicle) uses the Pali texts as central teachings, but they also use other texts (Sanskrit Sutras such as the Heart Sutra). There are many schools of thought and forms of Buddhism within Mahayana Buddhism (from Zen/Ch'an to Pure Land). I find that Mahayana Buddhists are more prone to having magical beliefs.

The way of practicing is the difference.

The essence is the same.