Buddhology

All schools:  A buddha is a being who has attained enlightenment without a teacher, e.g.
Siddhartha Gautama (S.G.). They have to discover the dharma themselves.
This can only happen when the belief in Buddhism has completely died out.

 To properly see the Buddha as the Buddha, one needs to have a complete
understanding of his teachings.

 An arahant/arhat is a being who reaches enlightenment by following the

teachings of a buddha.

 A bodhisattva is an “enlightenment being” who is on the path to becoming

a buddha S.G. spent many lives perfecting the qualities to become a buddha
(the Jakata stories record these deeds)

 All groups see S.G. as a spiritual leader, teacher, historical figure and
founder of the religion.

Theravada  It is sometimes referred to as “Southern Buddhism”

Buddhism
 It has the closest teachings to the Buddha’s original teachings.

 Does not attribute any superhuman characteristics to the Buddha. He was

an ordinary person who achieved something extraordinary. Anyone who
becomes enlightened after the Buddha is an arahant; this is therefore the
aim of Theravada Buddhists.

 The best way to achieve enlightenment is to become a monk/nun and

follow the monastic tradition.

 Followers are expected to abstain from all kinds of evil, accumulate good,
and purify their minds.

 The monastic community is called the “Sangha.” There are no age

requirements or limits, however there are 227 rules that must be followed.

 Miracles are possible, however performing miracles normally detract from

the path to enlightenment, so they are usually discouraged.

 Nirvana is the ultimate goal of Theravadin Buddhists.

 They believe there is only a buddha when the teachings have been lost and
therefore the Buddha helps many people by discovering the truth and
showing them the dharma.
  There will be a new buddha like S.G. when the teachings of the dharma
have been lost from the world; the next buddha will be called
Matteya/Maitreya.
Mahayana  Buddha as embodiment of qualities and enlightenment – concept of
Buddhism ‘Buddha nature’ in all of us (so anyone can become enlightened, not just by
being a monk – in contrast with the Theravadins). This is the key difference.

 They refer to the historical Buddha as Shakyamuni. ‘Buddha’ refers to the

buddha-nature in everyone and everything (interdependence).

 Trikaya doctrine: the Buddha has 3 bodies (see separate Mahayana/Tibetan

notes for more info on this)

 Transformation body: the physical body in which a buddha appears.

Buddhas can manifest in any physical form, e.g. the historical Buddha
S.G.
 Enjoyment body: the non-physical body in which Buddha beings reach
people in visions and dreams. Spiritually uplifting, experienced when
bodhisattvas have vision of the Buddha; communication is possible
with buddhas and advanced bodhisattvas in a meditative state.
Enlightened beings dwell in this realm of light and energy. They create
form bodies for particular purposes, e.g. Siddhartha Gautama
preaching the Dharma at that time. These beings can choose to remain
in this form to help others.
 Truth body: the buddha nature of all life; a spiritual energy that
permeates the whole universe. This is the Buddha within that
potentially makes all of us a buddha. Teaching/the universe as it really
is in itself/enlightened mind itself. Create enjoyment bodies: to show
beings the way things really are.

 Buddha as something of a ‘superhuman’ being, with a universal nature that

all human beings share (‘Buddha-nature’ – hence everyone being capable of
achieving enlightenment). Trikaya doctrine (3 bodies of the Buddha).

 In contrast with Theravada, which sees the Buddha as a normal human

being who did something extraordinary (Buddha is therefore understood in
terms of being an arahant). For Theravada, humans do not all have within
them a ‘Buddha-nature’ and not all are capable of achieving enlightenment.

 The Buddha therefore is understood in terms of being a bodhisattva.

 Being a bodhisattva is the ultimate goal of Mahayana Buddhists – hence

emphasis on compassion and skilful means. Mahayana Buddhists therefore
think that becoming an arhat is inferior to becoming a bodhisattva because
it is too individualistic and not about other people.