| Similar to other prominent religions of the world, | | | | Mahayana tradition of Buddhism was born in the 5th |
| Buddhism too, is no exception to various schools of | | | | century in India. Over the course of time, it was the |
| thought that tend to interpret the founding principles of | | | | Mahayana sect of Buddhism that spread rapidly |
| Buddhism in their own unique way. This has lead to the | | | | through the world. Today, countries such as China, |
| birth of different traditions of this faith, all encapsulated | | | | Japan, Korea, and Vietnam follow this particular |
| under the head of Buddhism. This 'branching out' can | | | | Buddhist school of thought. |
| be traced back to the death of Lord Buddha, in around | | | | The principles of Mahayana are an assortment of |
| 380 B.C. After Lord Buddha, his disciples took his | | | | teachings of Lord Buddha. This is perhaps the reason |
| teachings to all the corners of the world. As a result, | | | | why many ideas under this school of thought often |
| today, there are over 500 million followers of Buddhism | | | | contradict one another. Even then, the truth is that |
| in the world. | | | | Mahayana covers a broad area of Buddhist principles. |
| However, even while the religion spread its wings | | | | It includes the practice of Buddhism as prescribed by |
| across the world and was interpreted differently all | | | | the Mahayana sutras along with the principles |
| over, it still had only three main schools of thought that | | | | mentioned in the Agama texts. It also takes into |
| followed different Buddhist traditions. These three | | | | account the various transformations that have come |
| separate Buddhist schools of thought include Hinayana | | | | about, in the due course of time, in the basic concept |
| sect or the 'Lesser Vehicle', Mahayana sect or the | | | | of Buddhism. |
| 'Greater Vehicle', and Vajrayna or the 'Indestructible | | | | This form of Buddhism has three major |
| Vehicle'. A careful study of Buddhism will reveal that all | | | | characteristics:i. Universalism: This means that |
| the differing Buddhist traditions in the world actually | | | | according to the beliefs of Mahayana school of |
| originated from one of these three traditions only. | | | | Buddhism, every follower can attain the state of |
| Hinayana or Lesser Vehicle: | | | | Buddha.ii. Bodhisitta: This suggests the realization of the |
| The term Hinayana came into being in the 1st or the | | | | ultimate spiritual state.iii. Transcendental immanence: |
| 2nd century. The Hinayana form of Buddhism is mainly | | | | This refers to the belief of Mahayana sect that an |
| practiced in countries such as Sri Lanka, Burma, and | | | | immortal Buddha is present inside all human beings.iv. |
| Thailand. Hinayana form of Buddhism is also often | | | | Compassion: Compassion in Mahayana sect comes |
| referred to as the Theravada school of Buddhism. The | | | | with the transfer of merit in the course of realization of |
| Hinayana school of thought gives more credence to | | | | the spiritual state. |
| the attainment of Nirvana or enlightenment of the soul. | | | | Vajrayana or Indestructible Vehicle: |
| Religious experts say that Hinayana school of thought | | | | It is said that Vajrayana or the Indestructible Vehicle |
| includes those sutras where Lord Buddha admonishes | | | | was a special form of Mahayana school of Buddhism |
| the practitioner of Buddhism to follow the sravaka | | | | that took birth in India. In the present times, the |
| path. | | | | Vajrayana form of Buddhism is mainly practiced by |
| According to them, the Hinayana teachings do not | | | | the Tibetan Buddhists. The Tibetan Buddhists follow all |
| emphasize on the importance of the soul detaching | | | | the traditions of and practice all the rituals of this form |
| itself from the worldly emotions of pain and suffering. | | | | of Buddhism. Their traditions also consist of various |
| Instead, this tradition focuses more on the liberation of | | | | forms of religious ceremonies as well as prayer and |
| the self. According to the beliefs of this school of | | | | mantra recitals. It is imperative for the followers of the |
| though, any practitioner of Hinayana who successfully | | | | Vajrayana form of Buddhism to have an |
| rids himself of suffering, is called 'Arahant'. The | | | | understanding of both the Hinayana and Mahayana |
| Mahayana school of thought describes 'Arahant' of the | | | | schools of Buddhism. Experienced Tibetan Buddhists |
| Hinayana sect as someone who can never become a | | | | are of the view that without a deep insight into the |
| Buddha or even go back to the material world to help | | | | principles of both Hinayana and Mahayana sects of |
| others get rid of emotional sufferings. | | | | Buddhism, the practice of Vajrayana school of |
| Mahayana or Greater Vehicle: | | | | Buddhism is incomplete. |
| The followers of Mahayana first inculcate the | | | | Religious experts are still in the process of making a |
| teachings of the Hinayana tradition of Buddhism. It is | | | | comprehensive study of Vajrayana. But this is taking |
| only after the followers of the Mahayana sect | | | | time because the Vajrayana scriptures are not in |
| comprehend the traditions and beliefs of Hinayana that | | | | order. Due to the fact that this school of thought |
| they are allowed to move on to the principles of the | | | | borrows a lot of concepts from Hinduism, it has made |
| Mahayana school of thought. Under the practices of | | | | further research into Hinduism necessary. The religious |
| the Mahayana sect, the practitioners of Buddhism | | | | scholars will need to analyze both the rituals doctrines |
| develop their mental faculties with the help of Six | | | | that make up the Vajrayana school of Buddhism. |
| Practices or Paramitas. These include the following | | | | Today, Buddhism is one of the rare religions that have |
| beliefs:i. Givingii. Moralityiii. Patienceiv. Effortv. | | | | managed to provide peace to the mind, and healing to |
| Concentrationvi. Wisdom | | | | the soul. Practitioners of Buddhism are now located in |
| Under this Buddhist school of thought, the term | | | | western countries including Europe and America. With |
| Mahayana refers to the attainment of a spiritual level | | | | its root still intact in the heart of India, Buddhism has |
| by the practitioner of Buddhism. This spiritual state or | | | | attained a list of international followers, who continue to |
| level is also known as Bodhisattvayana. Historians say | | | | retain its traditions and core values. |
| that the Mahayana school of thought actually took root | | | | Do you want to learn more about Buddhism? Visit us |
| while Lord Buddha was alive. But this is a contentious | | | | and read more articles related to Buddha and |
| point, since there are scholars who believe that | | | | Buddhism today! |