Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism | World History | Khan Academy

Khan Academy
16 Mar 201707:33
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TLDRThe video script discusses the two major schools of Buddhism practiced today: Theravada and Mahayana. Theravada, or the 'school of the elder monks,' focuses on an individual's personal journey to achieve nirvana through meditation and recognizing the non-self. Mahayana, the 'great vehicle,' encompasses a wide range of practices with the goal of becoming a bodhisattva, who helps others achieve nirvana. The script also touches on the concept of the cycle of birth and rebirth (samsara), the pursuit of escaping dukkha, and the role of celestial beings in aiding meditation. It highlights the belief in Amitabha Buddha and the pure land of bliss (Sukhavati) in Mahayana Buddhism. The geographical distribution of Buddhist practices is also covered, with China having the largest Buddhist population, but a significant presence in Southeast Asia, particularly in Burma and Thailand. The script concludes with a note on the origins of Buddhism in India and its spread, contrasting with the current demographic distribution.

Takeaways
  • 🧘 Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism both believe in the cycle of rebirth (samsara) and the pursuit of nirvana to escape dukkha.
  • 🛤️ Theravada Buddhism is more aligned with the original teachings of Siddhartha Gautama Buddha, focusing on individual enlightenment through meditation.
  • 🚀 Mahayana Buddhism is more diverse and emphasizes the role of bodhisattvas, who aim to help others achieve enlightenment rather than just focusing on their own.
  • 🧑‍🦲 In Theravada, an individual aims to become an arhat, someone who has achieved nirvana, often with the help of a teacher.
  • 🤔 Mahayana practitioners aim to become bodhisattvas, who are close to achieving nirvana but delay it to assist others in their spiritual journey.
  • 🙏 The concept of bodhisattva is present in both traditions but has different meanings; in Mahayana, it signifies someone who has chosen to help others before entering nirvana.
  • 🌟 Mahayana Buddhism includes a variety of celestial beings and deities, such as Amitabha Buddha, who is revered and seen as a path to a pure land of bliss (Sukhavati).
  • 🌈 Visualization and invocation of figures like Amitabha Buddha are seen as aids to achieving a state of higher spiritual focus and eventual enlightenment.
  • 🌍 Geographically, Buddhism is predominantly practiced in the Far East and Southeast Asia, with different schools of Buddhism prevalent in different regions.
  • 📍 The majority of the world's Buddhists reside in China, although Buddhism constitutes a smaller percentage of the total population there.
  • 🇹🇭 In countries like Burma and Thailand, a higher percentage of the population practices Buddhism, making it the dominant religion in those regions.
  • 🏛 The origins of Buddhism in India and Nepal contrast with its current demographic spread, as the religion has a smaller presence in India but is significant in Sri Lanka, primarily due to the Theravada tradition.
Q & A

  • What are the two major schools of Buddhism as practiced today?

    -The two major schools of Buddhism are Theravada Buddhism, which means 'school of the elder monks,' and Mahayana Buddhism, which means 'great vehicle.'

  • What is the concept of samsara in Buddhist thought?

    -Samsara is the cycle of birth and rebirth from one life or reality to the next, which is a concept shared with the core of Hindu philosophy.

  • What is the primary goal in both Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism?

    -The primary goal in both schools of Buddhism is to realize that all is thought, to escape from dukkha (suffering), and to eventually obtain nirvana.

  • How does Theravada Buddhism differ from Mahayana Buddhism in terms of practice?

    -Theravada Buddhism is closer to the original teachings of Siddhartha Gautama Buddha and focuses on a very personal journey through meditation and self-realization, aiming for individual enlightenment as an arhat. Mahayana Buddhism, on the other hand, encompasses a wide range of practices and emphasizes helping others achieve nirvana, with the goal of becoming a bodhisattva.

  • What is the role of a bodhisattva in Mahayana Buddhism?

    -In Mahayana Buddhism, a bodhisattva is someone who has almost achieved nirvana but delays it in order to help other sentient beings achieve the same state. The bodhisattva's role is to assist all other beings in their journey towards enlightenment.

  • Who is Amitabha Buddha in the context of Mahayana Buddhism?

    -Amitabha Buddha is a significant figure in Mahayana Buddhism, often revered as a deity-like figure. By visualizing and focusing on Amitabha Buddha, followers believe they can reach his pure land of bliss, known as Sukhavati, which is considered a place where it is easier to achieve nirvana.

  • How is the concept of multiple realities viewed in some Mahayana belief systems?

    -In some Mahayana belief systems, there are multiple realities, each with its own Buddha. It is believed that individuals can be born and reborn into these different realities, and the pure land of bliss, Sukhavati, is a desired destination for those practicing the belief in Amitabha Buddha.

  • What is the significance of the four noble truths in Theravada Buddhism?

    -The four noble truths are fundamental teachings in Theravada Buddhism that guide followers towards understanding the nature of suffering (dukkha), its causes, and the path to its cessation, which ultimately leads to nirvana.

  • What is the demographic distribution of Buddhists around the world?

    -Buddhism is predominantly practiced in the Far East and Southeast Asia. The largest Buddhist population is in China, with approximately 250 million Buddhists, which is about 18% of the total Chinese population. Other regions with significant Buddhist populations include Burma, Thailand, and Sri Lanka.

  • Why is there a significant presence of Theravada Buddhism in Sri Lanka but not in India?

    -Theravada Buddhism, which has a significant presence in Sri Lanka, may not be as prevalent in India due to its proximity to Hindu practices. It is believed that Buddhism in India may have been reabsorbed into the diverse Hindu tradition, with some Hindus viewing Buddha as another incarnation of Vishnu.

  • What is the relationship between Vajrayana Buddhism and the other two major schools?

    -Vajrayana Buddhism, often associated with Tibetan Buddhism, is sometimes grouped with Mahayana Buddhism due to shared concepts such as bodhisattvas and celestial beings. It involves more rituals and is considered closer to Mahayana in terms of its belief system.

  • How does the concept of celestial beings aid in the practice of Mahayana Buddhism?

    -In Mahayana Buddhism, celestial beings serve as a source of focus and assistance for practitioners during meditation. They are invoked to help guide individuals towards achieving nirvana, providing additional support alongside the guidance of bodhisattvas.

Outlines
00:00
📜 Introduction to Buddhism: Theravada and Mahayana

The video introduces the two major schools of Buddhism as practiced today: Theravada, meaning 'school of the elder monks,' and Mahayana, meaning 'great vehicle.' Both schools share the belief in samsara, the cycle of birth and rebirth, and the goal of escaping dukkha (suffering) to achieve nirvana. Theravada is more aligned with the original teachings of Siddhartha Gautama Buddha, focusing on personal enlightenment through meditation and realization of non-self. Mahayana, however, is more diverse and includes the concept of the bodhisattva, one who nears nirvana but delays it to help others achieve the same state. It also features a variety of practices and celestial beings, including the revered Amitabha Buddha, who is central to the belief in reaching the pure land of Sukhavati, a place conducive to achieving nirvana.

05:00
🌏 Geographical Distribution and Practice of Buddhism

The video provides a geographical overview of where Buddhism is practiced, highlighting that most of it is concentrated in the Far East and Southeast Asia. It differentiates between Theravada (in red) and Mahayana (in yellow), with Vajrayana (in orange), often associated with Tibetan Buddhism, being closer to Mahayana. China has the largest Buddhist population, but Buddhism constitutes only 18% of the total population there. In contrast, countries like Burma and Thailand have a significantly higher percentage of Buddhists. Interestingly, despite its origins in Northeast India and Southern Nepal, Buddhism has a diminished presence in India, possibly due to its close resemblance to Hindu practices, leading to reabsorption within Hinduism. Many Hindus even view Buddha as an incarnation of Vishnu. The video also notes that Sri Lanka is a primary source of the Theravada tradition.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Theravada Buddhism
Theravada Buddhism, also known as the 'school of the elder monks,' is one of the major schools of Buddhism that emphasizes a personal journey towards enlightenment. It is closely aligned with the original teachings of Siddhartha Gautama Buddha and focuses on individual practice through meditation, recognizing the non-self, and achieving nirvana either in this life or future lives. The goal in Theravada Buddhism is to become an arhat, a person who has attained nirvana.
💡Mahayana Buddhism
Mahayana Buddhism, meaning 'great vehicle,' is another major school of Buddhism that encompasses a wide range of practices. Unlike Theravada, Mahayana emphasizes the role of the bodhisattva, a being who is close to achieving nirvana but delays it to help others reach the same state. The ultimate goal in Mahayana Buddhism is not just personal enlightenment but the enlightenment of all sentient beings, with a focus on compassion and altruism.
💡Samsara
Samsara is the cycle of birth and rebirth that is shared by both Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism, as well as with Hindu philosophy. It represents the continuous transition from one life to another, driven by karma. The concept of samsara is central to the Buddhist belief system, as the ultimate goal is to escape from this cycle and achieve nirvana.
💡Dukkha
Dukkha is a fundamental concept in Buddhism that refers to suffering, dissatisfaction, or unease that arises from the nature of existence. It is one of the three marks of existence, along with impermanence and non-self. In the video, the goal of Buddhist practice is to realize the nature of dukkha and to escape from it to attain nirvana.
💡Nirvana
Nirvana is the ultimate goal in both Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism, representing the state of liberation from the cycle of samsara and the end of suffering (dukkha). It is a state of profound peace and enlightenment that is achieved through the practice of Buddhist teachings and the realization of the truth of existence.
💡Arhat
An arhat, in Buddhist tradition, is a person who has achieved nirvana. In Theravada Buddhism, the pursuit is to become an arhat through personal effort and meditation. The concept is central to the individualistic approach of Theravada, where the focus is on one's own spiritual journey and attainment.
💡Bodhisattva
A bodhisattva is a central figure in Mahayana Buddhism, one who has the potential to achieve nirvana but chooses to remain in the cycle of samsara to help others achieve enlightenment. The term is also used in Theravada Buddhism to refer to someone on the path to becoming an arhat. The bodhisattva ideal embodies the virtues of compassion, wisdom, and the selfless desire to aid all sentient beings.
💡Amitabha Buddha
Amitabha Buddha is a significant figure in Mahayana Buddhism, particularly revered by those who follow the Pure Land tradition. He is associated with the Western Paradise or the Pure Land of Sukhavati, a place of bliss where it is believed to be easier to attain nirvana. The video mentions that by focusing on Amitabha Buddha, one can be reborn in Sukhavati, which is a concept akin to salvation in other religious traditions.
💡Sukhavati
Sukhavati, also known as the Pure Land of Bliss, is a concept in Mahayana Buddhism, especially within the Pure Land school. It is a heavenly realm presided over by Amitabha Buddha, where it is believed that beings can be reborn through the power of faith and the recitation of Amitabha's name. Sukhavati is depicted as a place where the path to enlightenment is more accessible.
💡Vajrayana
Vajrayana, often referred to as Tibetan Buddhism, is a form of Buddhism that is closely related to Mahayana. It is characterized by its use of rituals, mantras, and the concept of the bodhisattva. While it shares the goal of achieving nirvana with other schools, Vajrayana emphasizes the use of skillful means and esoteric practices to attain enlightenment more swiftly.
💡Four Noble Truths
The Four Noble Truths are the foundational teachings of Buddhism, which are the truth of suffering (dukkha), the truth of the cause of suffering, the truth of the end of suffering, and the truth of the path leading to the end of suffering. In the video, following the Four Noble Truths is mentioned as part of the Theravada Buddhist practice, which is focused on personal enlightenment through understanding and applying these truths.
Highlights

Buddhism is divided into Theravada and Mahayana, with Theravada meaning 'school of the elder monks' and Mahayana meaning 'great vehicle'.

Both schools believe in the cycle of birth and rebirth known as samsara, a concept shared with Hindu philosophy.

The goal in Buddhism is to escape dukkha (suffering) and achieve nirvana, a state of enlightenment.

Theravada Buddhism is closer to the original teachings of Siddhartha Gautama Buddha, focusing on personal journey and meditation.

In Mahayana Buddhism, the pursuit is to help others achieve nirvana, with the ultimate goal of becoming a bodhisattva.

An arhat in Theravada Buddhism is someone who has achieved nirvana, whereas in Mahayana, it refers to someone on the path to becoming a bodhisattva.

Mahayana Buddhism includes a variety of practices and has a pantheon of celestial beings and deities to assist in the path to enlightenment.

Amitabha Buddha is a central figure in Mahayana Buddhism, with followers believing in his pure land of bliss, Sukhavati, as a place to achieve nirvana more easily.

Siddhartha Gautama Buddha is sometimes viewed as a projection of Amitabha Buddha into our reality in certain Mahayana traditions.

Theravada Buddhism emphasizes following the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama Buddha through meditation and recognizing the Four Noble Truths.

Mahayana Buddhism is characterized by its diversity, with different practices and beliefs across various regions of the world.

The largest Buddhist population is in China, but it represents only a small percentage of the total population.

In contrast, countries like Burma and Thailand have a much higher percentage of the population that is Buddhist.

Buddhism originated in northeast India and southern Nepal, but its presence in India is minimal today.

Theravada tradition primarily comes from Sri Lanka, and its minimal presence in India could be due to its close resemblance to Hindu practices.

Many Hindus view Buddha as another incarnation of Vishnu, indicating the potential for reabsorption into the Hindu tradition.

Vajrayana Buddhism, often associated with Tibetan Buddhism, is closer to Mahayana in its belief in bodhisattvas and celestial beings.

Transcripts

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