The Three Rafts of Buddhism---the Major Differences

Weidner
Theravada
Note

Referred to as the
lesser vehicle; the
Theravada branch of
Buddhism is
considered the oldest
and most traditional
branch.
Theravadan Buddhism
focuses on the
individuals
cultivation of the
Buddhas prajna
(wisdom) through
meditation; they
focus mostly on the
Buddhas life as an
ascetic

Mahayana

Vajrayana

Focus

Adherence to and
meditation on the
teachings of Buddha
that the teachings of
Buddha are primary
importancefound in
the Tripitaka.
The Tripitaka is
closed in Theravadan
Buddhism; sacred
texts are closed in
order to preserve the
exact words and
teachings of the
Buddha.
Deer Park Sermon
arhat, lotus position
most important (no
more thats needed
that what he did his
discourse aboutFour
Noble Truths, and
Eightfold Path.
NirvanaThe
individual must attain
this state free of
desires as soon as
possible.

Goal

To achieve Nirvana
(Blown-out
candle),
or a state of
eternal bliss in which
one loses all
desire, including
desire to live, as soon
as possible.
Work on spiritual
defilement by
cultivating the
greatest virtue
Prajna (Manjushhri)
which is wisdom.
Do this by following
the three practices/
trainings for Eightfold
Pathwisdom
(prajna) Ethics (Sila)
Mindfulness
(Samadhi).
Achieving Nirvana is
considered to be the
responsibility of the
individual.
Only bhikkus are able
to achieve the
ultimate goal of
nirvana.

Enlightenment

Can only be achieved

by bhikkus, the only
eligible beings for
enlightenment.
Done by developing
the prajna insight of
the Buddha mostly
through dhyana
practices
(meditation).

Audience

The bhikkus;
Theravadin Buddhists
only believe that
male monks can
achieve
enlightenment and
Nirvana, and that
everyone else must
be reborn again until
they accumulate
enough good karma
to be born as a
bhikku. Therefore,
the sole audience of
Theravada Buddhism
is comprised of the
bhikkus (members of
the Sangha).

Model

Arhats Enlightened
beings that have
entered into the
state of eternal blisss
free from dukkha and
tanha called nirvana.
Model for proper
dhyana (meditation),
a worship ritual used
to develop the
Theravadin Buddhist's
prajna.

Schools of
Thought

Traditional
interpretation;
thought principles
are centered around
the concept of
maintaining the
purity and
authenticity of the
Buddhas original
dharma. This

Rituals

Worship

Asalha Puja: (Dharma

Day) occurs on the
full moon of the
eighth lunar month.
Celebrates the
Buddhas first
teachings during the
Deer Park Sermon.
Also celebrates
Vassa. Theravadins
focus on Buddhas
teachings which gives
this ritual a lot of
significance within
the Theravada branch
of Buddhism.
Worship for
Therevadin Buddhists
consist of going to
the temple, dhyana
(meditation),
chanting (mantras),
and and adherence/
meditation on
Buddhas teachings
(dharma).

Festivals

Vesak: (Wesak or
Visakha Puja)
occurring the night of
the full moon of
Vaisakha. The
celebration of
Shakyamuni Buddhas
birthday, his
enlightenment, and
his Parinirvana.
Theravadins believe
that they all occurred
on the same date
(significant). One of
the most important
festivals of the Year.
Formal and informal
aspects including
procession of monks
and Buddhist
discussion.
Kathina the
presentation of gifts
and donations of
robes to the Sangha
after the Vassa rains
retreat. Bhikkus
often process around
their temples
collecting donations
from the laypeople in
bowls.

Gender and
ritual

The Theravadan
Buddhists Sangha is
the community of
Bhikkus and
Bhikkunis. Although
women are a part of
some rituals, the
majority of rituals
within this sect of
Buddhism are
centered around
bhikkus.
For example, rituals,
such as Vassa,
important to
Theravadan Buddhism
are mostly organized
and facilitated by
bhikkus. Sometimes
women cannot
participate at all.
Bhikkunis (nuns) are
subservient to
bhikkus and often do
the cooking and
cleaning in
preparation for
rituals.

Composition of
sacred texts

Tripitakacollection
of texts that
transcribe the
Buddhas wordsthe
three baskets
Vinayaobligatory
227 rules for monks
Sutta-discourses
Abhidamma
supplement of
doctrines

Collation of
sacred texts

The First Buddhist

Council occurred
around 400 BCE.
Bhikkus convened to
corroborated and
record the oral
tradition of the
Buddhas dharma.

Development of
sacred texts

Originally oral
tradition; Teachings
of the Buddha
written on palm
leaves and organized
in three baskets
during around 400
BCE.

Source of
Doctrines

Originally started as
an oral form of the
dharma of the
Buddha; finally
corroborated and
recorded at the First
Buddhist Council
which occurred
during 3 BCE

Eschatology

Doctrine and beliefs

(ex. Eightfold Path)
Religious experience
(ex. Sangha, time
spent as a bhikku for
all males)
Rituals (ex. Vesak &
emphasis on Buddhas
enlightenment)

Cosmogony and Samsara- the endless

cosmology
wheel of rebirth
Nirvana- a state of
eternal bliss in which
there are no desires not even the desire
to live - and brings an
end to suffering.
One should seek to
become enlightened
as soon as possible.
Becoming
enlightened is seen
as a personal
responsibility
Authority

Bhikkus Considered
to be only beings
eligible for
enlightenment and
able to achieve
nirvana; lead Sangha
related worship and
rituals
Arhats Beings that
have achieved
enlightement and
nirvana; Considered
the model for proper
dhyana practice

Experience

Vipassana: Literally
means insight.
Major form of
Buddhist meditation.
Integral part of
experience. Focusing
attention on
sensations,
impressions, and the
internal. Through this
Theravadins learn the
practice of samadhi
(mindfulness) and,
therefore, cultivate
prajna (wisdom).

Gender and
Religious
Experience

Male Theravadin
Buddhists are
required to spend a
temporary time in a
monastery as bhikkus
during which they
abide by eight of the
Ten Precepts that are
followed by the
bhikkus.
Bhikkus are usually
the only ones able to
organize, participate
in, and facilitate
rituals, such as Vassa.

Ethics

No particular ethical
belief or doctrine in
Buddhism.
Moral conduct guided
by the Ten Precepts
which are followed
by members of the
Sangha (bhikkus and
bhikkunis).
CASE STUDY: Ethical
conflict between
Tamil Hindu and Sri
Lankan Theravadin
Buddhists.