Two Main Schools of Buddhism

   A few hundred years after the Buddha's passing away, there arose eighteen different schools or sects all of which claimed to represent the original Teachings of the Buddha. The differences between these schools were basically due to various interpretations of the Teachings of the Buddha. Over a period of time, these schools gradually merged into two main schools: Theravada and Mahayana. Today, a majority of the followers of Buddhism are divided into these two schools.

   Basically Mahayana Buddhism grew out of the Buddha's teaching that each individual carries within himself the potential for Buddhahood. Theravadins say that this potential can be realized through individual effort. Mahayanists, on the other hand, believe that they can seek salvation through the intervention of other superior beings called Bodhisattas. According to them, Bodhisattas are future Buddhas who, out of compassion for their fellow human beings, have delayed their own attainment of Buddhahood until they have helped others towards liberation. In spite of this basic difference, however, it must be stressed that doctrinally there is absolutely no disagreement concerning the Dhamma as contained in the sacred Tipitaka texts. Because Buddhists have been encouraged by the Master to carefully inquire after the truth, they have been free to interpret the scriptures according to their understanding. But above all, both Mahayana and Theravada are one in their reverence for the Buddha.

The areas of agreement between the two schools are as follows:

1.    Both accept Sakyamuni Buddha as the Teacher.

2.    The Four Noble Truths are exactly the same in both schools.

3.    The Eightfold Path is exactly the same in both schools.

4.    The teaching on Dependent Origination is the same in both schools.

5.    Both reject the ideal of a supreme being who created and governed this world.

6.    Both accept Anicca (impermanence), Dukkha (suffering), Anatta (non-self) and Sila (morality), Samadhi (concentration), Panna (wisdom) without any difference.

   Although difference schools of Buddhism held different opinions on the teaching of the Buddha, they never had any violence or bloodshed for more than two thousand years. This is the uniqueness of Buddhist tolerance.

Source: What Buddhists Believe by Ven. Dr. K. Sri Dhammananda