Question

Identify three different schools of Buddhism. How are these schools similar in their beliefs and practices? How do they differ?

Answer 1

Buddhism is divided into three different schools. These schools are Theraveda Buddhism, Mahayana Buddhism and the Vajrayana Buddhism.These schools are main schools of Buddhism.

Theravada- Theravada is a strict branch of Buddhism. This school of Buddhism was following the original teaching methods and rules of the Buddhism.

Mahayana – Mahayana have made some changes or alteration to the original teaching of Buddhism. They were open to everyone. They believed that teaching need to be accessible to everyone.

Vajrayana – This school of Buddhism directly teaches those who have a confidence. According to them, Buddha was not just a person, but he is a mirror of our mind.

Similarities

1. These three main schools have believed that Sakyamuni Buddha was a wise teacher
2. These three main schools had worked for other’s benefits.
3. They all have accepted the four truths.
4. Their motivation was spreading enlightenment to all.
5. All they have accepted The Eightfold Path concept.

Differences

1)Theravada was the oldest school of Buddhism.

Mahayana was new rather than Theravada and

Vajrayana was the extension form of Mahayana with some changes.

2)Theravada Teaching describes about the causes and effects.

In other hand, Mahayana teaches to attract people whose goal of life is helping others.

And Vajrayna’s teaching is direct teaching that Buddha gave for some special confident persons.

3)Theravada sticks to the Pali canon. Nirvana was their primary goal.

Mahayana was outside the concept of Pali Canon. Their goal was liberation of the all.

Vajrayana’s goal was also same as Mahayana but they have used some techniques like Yoga, Mantra and Visualization etc.