Question

World religion Buddhism

What was Happening to Theravada Buddhism that opened the way for a revolutionary new movement ultimately to be known as Mahayana?

Answer 1

There are two main branches of Buddhism present in modern time:

1. The Theravada (South East Asia and Sri Lanka)

2. The Mahayana (East Asia and the Himalayas).

In Buddhism, a movement was arose known as Mahayana. The term Mahayana means a great vehicle or great course. This movement was dubbed another movement of the Hinayana movement. this term means limited vehicle.

The main difference between them is Great vehicle beloved on Buddhahood. On the other hand limited vehicle or Hinayana believes in sainthood.

Buddhism is an ancient religion which was founded by Siddhartha Gautama or Gautama Buddha in eastern part of India around 6 B.C.E.

Buddhism is a religion that teaches us nonviolence(ahimsa), hormony and peace(shanti) and truth(satya).

Teachings of Buddhism focuses on overall enhancement in harmony, peace and balance between culture and civilization.

Buddhism focuses to develop well ordered and functioned society and concerns about future generations

Buddhism ethics is related to social welfare and individual welfare

It also focused to overall enhancement in harmony, peace and balance between culture and civilization.

Dhyana (Meditation) or samadhi is one of the core features in this tradition to elevate the spiritual and morality level.It is also used as a tool to achieve Nirvana(salvation from earthly desires and pain).

It is prohibited to take life of anyone (including suicide or euthanasia) in Buddhism because it violates core idea of the Buddhism the nonviolence(ahimsa) and peace(shanti), and truth(satya).

According to teachings of Mahatma Buddha No person has a right to take life of anyone because it is a gift of nature to the mankind and we must follow the ahimsa in any condition.

Suicide or euthanasia prevents people to achieve Nirvana because it is a sign of ill mental state and also creates bad karma.

Four virtues of Buddhism are:

• Maitri:act of kindness to all.

• Karuna:compation

• Mudita:joy(altruistic)

• Upeksha:treating all persons with same manner,equanimity.