Buddhism vs. Theravada — What's the Difference?

Buddhism, as a whole, includes a wide range of philosophical teachings, cultural practices, and spiritual paths aimed at ending suffering and achieving enlightenment. It diverges into several schools, including Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana, each with its interpretations and practices. Theravada, known as the "Teaching of the Elders," prioritizes the Pali Canon as its scriptural foundation and emphasizes individual enlightenment through meditation and adherence to monastic rules.

Theravada Buddhism is prevalent in countries like Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Myanmar, and it stresses the importance of the monastic community in preserving and transmitting the Buddha's teachings. Other branches of Buddhism, particularly Mahayana, have developed additional texts and practices, focusing on the bodhisattva path, which emphasizes compassion and enlightenment for all beings.

The practice of meditation is central to both Theravada and the broader Buddhist tradition, but Theravada specifically emphasizes vipassana (insight) and samatha (tranquility) meditation techniques as paths to enlightenment. Mahayana and Vajrayana also incorporate a wide range of meditation practices, including Zen meditation and tantric practices, with varying goals and emphases.

Theravada holds to the ideal of the arhat, a person who has achieved personal enlightenment and liberation from the cycle of birth and death. In contrast, Mahayana Buddhism introduces the concept of the bodhisattva, a being who seeks enlightenment both for themselves and for the benefit of all sentient beings, delaying their own final enlightenment to assist others.

The teachings and practices of Buddhism, regardless of the school, all trace back to the foundational teachings of the Buddha, including the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path. Theravada is often regarded as closer to these original teachings, with a focus on simplicity, meditation, and adherence to monastic rules as a way of life.