Distinguishing between Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism

This division did not arise from conflicts over organization, interests, or status, but rather from differences in viewpoints on doctrine and precepts.

Theravada Buddhism

The Hinayana school, meaning "small path to salvation" or "small vehicle," advocates that only those who renounce worldly life and practice asceticism can be saved. This school believes that those who follow Hinayana must achieve enlightenment and liberation for themselves, and cannot liberate others.

According to the Theravada school of Buddhism, only Shakyamuni Buddha is the one and only Buddha.

The Theravada school of Buddhism believes that the cycle of birth and death and nirvana are two distinct concepts; only when a person escapes the cycle of birth and death can they attain Nirvana. Nirvana is a realm of nothingness, a place of enlightenment, where there is no more suffering. The Buddha was the first to attain Nirvana.

Theravada Buddhism upholds strict adherence to its precepts, closely following the doctrines of original Buddhism. According to Theravada followers, this school represents the pure and original teachings as expounded by the Buddha. Its concepts are primarily based on the scriptures recording the Buddha's teachings, and its rules of discipline are based on the Vinaya Pitaka (the Vinaya Pitaka).

The Theravada school spread to many places, from Sri Lanka to Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, and more. The development of the Theravada school also divided it into many branches, notably the Chengshi school, the Vinaya school, and the Abhidharma school.

Mahayana Buddhism

Mahayana Buddhism, meaning "the great path to salvation" or "the great vehicle," is known as the Reformed religion. Mahayana teachings contain many new elements compared to original Buddhism. This school believes that not only ordained monks and nuns but also lay Buddhists can be saved.

Therefore, the Mahayana Buddhist doctrine emphasizes not only personal liberation and enlightenment but also the ability to help many others achieve liberation and enlightenment. Mahayana Buddhism advocates that each person can reach Nirvana through their own efforts, while simultaneously advocating for the liberation of a large number of people.

The library of the Vietnam Buddhist Academy is equipped with many books on Buddhist scriptures and doctrines. The monastic students studying there must research a great deal of material written in Sanskrit, classical Chinese, and other languages. (Photo courtesy)

With that concept in mind, Mahayana temples enshrine many Buddha statues. Bodhisattvas are also objects of worship. Bodhisattvas are those who have attained perfection through practice, deserving of Nirvana, but who voluntarily remain in the earthly realm to save sentient beings. Among them, Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva is the most revered.

Mahayana Buddhism posits that samsara (the cycle of birth and death) and nirvana are not two separate concepts; nirvana can be attained even within the process of existence (the cycle of birth and death). According to Mahayana Buddhism, nirvana is a state of ultimate bliss, the world of Buddhas, similar to heaven in other religions.

Over 100 Buddhist followers made a pilgrimage from Vinh City and surrounding areas to Tu Hieu Pagoda. (Photo: Duc Anh)

With its innovative perspective, Mahayana Buddhism spread to many parts of the world, primarily to Asian countries. From India, it spread to Tibet, then to China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, and other regions. During this process, Mahayana Buddhism also branched into many sub-schools, notably the Dharma-samatha-vijñāna school, the Samyak-saṃghika school, the Avatamsaka school, the Esoteric school, the Pure Land school, and the Zen school.

In Vietnam, one of the earliest centers of Buddhist development in the world, both Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism flourished. With their humanistic ideals of compassion, equanimity, equality among all beings, and encouragement to do good and avoid evil, both Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism quickly resonated with the people, gaining widespread support and becoming intertwined with each stage of the nation's development.