Budd hism is a system of beliefs and spiritual practices that is influenced by the teachings of Gautama Buddha who lived in India around the time of 500 BCE. The word Buddha means 'enlightened one' and the core teachings of Buddhism is the belief that all beings have the potential for spiritual awakening. This path to spiritual awakening is contained within teachings called Dharmas and the patterns in one's life that determines the quality of this life, and lives to come, is called Karma.
The Buddhist belief system encourages peace, respect for all life and the discipline of centering the mind through meditation along with and disciplines. Most people who are new to Buddhism are not aware that there are two main schools of Buddhism, along with traditions that are associated with them. The two main schools of Buddhism are Theravada and Mahayana.
Theravada
The earliest form of Buddhism, Theravada is translated to mean The Teaching of the Elders. The Pali literature, which is some of the earliest teachings of the Buddha, places great emphasis on the meditative approach in order to reach a transformation of consciousness or enlightenment. The teachings of the Buddha, according to this school, are one of abstinence, the cultivation of good and the purifying of the mind. It is taught that these can be accomplished through the Three Trainings of ethics, meditation and wisdom as they relate to the eightfold path. Theradava Buddhists strive to become arhats, which are considered to be perfected beings who have reached complete enlightenment.
Mahayana
This tradition of Buddhism is believed to have originated in South India although there is some debate over this. What sets Mahayana apart from Theravada is the concept of becoming bodhisattvas rather than arhats. In Mahayana, to be a bodhisattva is to be one who is on the path to enlightenment but is also striving to liberate all sentient beings from samsara, or the cycle of suffering, death and rebirth.
Another aspect that sets Mahayana apart from Theravada is that it follows a canon of sutras that is not recognized in Theravada. Also, its common terms are in the language of Sanskrit rather than Pali. Mahayana is also considered an umbrella category for many different Buddhist traditions that have similar philosophies and teachings such as Zen, Tibetan and Vajrayana Buddhism. Vajrayana is at times referred to as a third school of Buddhism, but since it has all the features of Mahayana it is more accurately considered to be a variation of Mahayana.
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