Divisions of Buddhism
There are two main divisions in Buddhism: Theravada Buddhism and Mahayana Buddhism.
Theravada Buddhism
TheravadaMeaning ‘teachings of the elders'. It is primarily focused on the Arhat path to enlightenment. This branch of Buddhism can be found in Sri Lanka and South East Asia. is older and the more conservativePeople who prefer to keep to old ways and only reluctantly allow changes in traditional beliefs and practices. of the two main divisions of Buddhism and is often referred to as the ‘traditions of the elders’. Many Theravada Buddhists follow the teachings of the Buddha exactly, and many of them are monks or nuns.
Theravada Buddhists strive to be arhatA person who has achieved enlightenment following the Buddha’s teaching.. Arhats are perfected people who have gained true insight into the nature of reality. This means they have followed the The Noble Eightfold PathBuddhist practises that can lead to the end of suffering and the cycle of rebirth: right views, right thinking, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness and right meditation. to ‘blow out’ the three fires of greed, hatred and ignorance and have become enlightenmentThe realisation of the truth about life. In Buddhism it releases a person from the cycle of rebirth.. In Buddhism, enlightenment leads to Nirvana (also spelt Nibbana)An indescribable state, held by Buddhists to be the ultimate goal of religious practice, involving breaking free from the cycle of samsara. (or nirvana), which means freedom from the cycle of rebirth (samsara). Consequently, they will no longer be reborn through samsara.
Mahayana Buddhism
Mahayana BuddhismOne of the major schools of Buddhism, it includes Tibetan and Zen Buddhism. believe they can achieve enlightenment through following the teachings of the BuddhaThe founder of Buddhism, Siddhartha Gautama, after his enlightenment. It is a title which means the enlightened or awakened one.. The goal of a Mahayana Buddhist may be to become a Bodhisattva and this is achieved through the The Six PerfectionsTo become a Bodhisattva a Mahayana Buddhist must become perfect in six areas of their lives. These are: generosity, morality, patience, energy, meditation, wisdom.. Compassion is very important in Mahayana Buddhism. Therefore, Bodhisattvas choose to stay in the cycle of samsara to help others to achieve enlightenment as well as themselves.
This is a key difference between Theravada and Mahayana Buddhists. Whereas Theravada Buddhists strive to become Arhats and gain freedom from the cycle of samsara, Mahayana Buddhists may choose to stay in the cycle of samsara out of compassion for others.