SHS

Introduction to World Religions

and Belief System
Module 11: The Uniqueness and Similarities of
Mahayana and Theravada Buddhism
Introduction to World Religions and Belief System
Grade 11 Module 11: The Uniqueness and Similarities of Mahayana and
Theravada Buddhism
First Edition, 2020

Copyright © 2020
La Union Schools Division
Region I

All rights reserved. No part of this module may be reproduced in any form
without written permission from the copyright owners.

Development Team of the Module

Author: Regie A. Bicera, T I

Editor: SDO La Union, Learning Resource Quality Assurance Team

Evaluators: Mario B. Paneda, Ed.D, EPS in Charge of Araling Panlipunan

Belen C. Aquino, Ph.D., EPS in Charge of English

Illustrator: Ernesto F. Ramos Jr., P II

Layout Artist: Ernesto G. Ortiza Jr., T-III

Management Team:

Atty. Donato D. Balderas, Jr.

Schools Division Superintendent

Vivian Luz S. Pagatpatan, Ph.D

Assistant Schools Division Superintendent

German E. Flora, Ph.D, CID Chief

Virgilio C. Boado, Ph.D, EPS in Charge of LRMS

Mario B. Paneda, Ed.D, EPS in Charge of Araling Panlipunan

Michael Jason D. Morales, PDO II

Claire P. Toluyen, Librarian II
 Introduction to World
Religions and Belief
System
Module 11: The Uniqueness and
Similarities of Mahayana and
Theravada Buddhism
 Target

After having a thorough understanding and analyzation on the core

teachings, fundamental beliefs, practices, and related issues of the two dharmic
religions, the Theravada Buddhism and Mahayana Buddhism which was discussed
on the previous lessons, you are now ready to distinguish their similarities and
differences.
This learning material will help you deepen your understanding on the
uniqueness and similarities of Theravada Buddhism and Mahayana Buddhism in
the aspects of origin, morality, purpose, destiny, and views on women.
This module will help you explain the uniqueness and similarities of
Mahayana and Theravada Buddhism.
At the end of this module you will be able to:
1. define Mahayana and Theravada Buddhism;
2. state the evidences that Mahayana and Theravada Buddhism share
common roots from India;
3. identify the uniqueness and similarities of Mahayana and Theravada
Buddhism; and
4. discuss the uniqueness and similarities of Mahayana and Theravada
Buddhism.

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 Jumpstart

Start the lesson with this mental activity

Activity 1: “Remember ME”

Directions: Fill in the table below with information needed. Write you answers in a
separate sheet of paper.

Mahayana Buddhism Theravada Buddhism

Origin

Definition/Meaning

Fundamental
Teachings
Followed Teachings

Belief In Gods

Meditation

Discover

ORIGIN
Buddhism traces its origins in northern India around the sixth century
B.C.E. as another interpretation of the Hindu belief. This religion is closely linked
to its founder Siddhartha Gautama who is also referred to as the Buddha
or the “Enlightened One.” A son of a Kshatriya chief, the once affluent
Siddhartha abandoned the comfort of his palace and family as he set to
discover the remedy to universal suffering he observed in this world. After long
periods of abstinence and meditation, he finally reached enlightenment (nirvana)
and became known as the “Buddha” or the “enlightened one.” He preached mainly
in the eastern part of the Indian subcontinent such as in Magadha and Kosala.
About 500 years after Buddha’s enlightenment, a schism within the Buddhist
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religion resulted in the emergence of two major branches around the first century
C.E, namely, the Theravada and Mayahana schools of tradition. Both schools owe
their fundamental teachings to the Buddha whose life has become an inspiration to
millions of followers all over the world (Introductions to World Religions and the
Belief Systems by Jerome A. Ong and Mary Dorothy dL. Jose).

GREAT AND SMALL VEHICLES

Closely related to the difference concerning the Buddhist ideal is the
contrast of what the names of these two major traditions signify. Accordingly, the
expression “Mahayana” signifies “The Great Vehicle,” while the expression
“Flinayana” (“Hinayana Buddhism” is the other name of Theravada Buddhism)
signifies “The Small Vehicle.” Vehiclehere is meant “way, means, or path toward
nirvana.” The following is one common illustration to explain the contrast between
the great and the small vehicles. The term “vehicle” can be imagined as a ferryboat
used by enlightened beings to travel toward (the state of) nirvana. In the
Mahayana tradition, they believe in a bodhisattva, who postpones his/her entry
to the state of nirvana to help others attain enlightenment. A bodhisattva helps
others to be on the same ferryboat that he/she is riding toward nirvana. The
bodhisattva therefore needs to be in a large ferryboat (thus a “great vehicle”). In
contrast, in the Theravada tradition, each enlightened person, called an arhat,
enters nirvana individually. Thus, each arhat needs to be in just a small ferryboat,
enough to accommodate one enlightened being (thus a “small vehicle”).
Theravadins, however, do not like the derogatory connotation of “Hinayana” as
a small vehicle and its suggestion that an arhat is selfish (for just thinking of
his/her own enlightenment and nirvana), for after all, anyone who is selfish
cannot attain enlightenment. Consequently, they prefer the name “Theravada”
to “Hinayana.’The name “ Theravada”means “teaching of the elders,” which
indirectly suggests that the Theravada way, compared to the Mahayana way, is the
one true to the original teachings of the Buddha. Another reason why some prefer
the name “Theravada” to “Hinayana” is the hypothesis that these two names do not
actually refer to the same tradition. According to this account, the Buddhist school
originally named “Hinayana” has long ceased to exist (Rahula 1996).
Some add a third one: Vajrayan Buddhism,described as the “Diamond
(orThunderbolt) Vehicle” (Molloy 2010, 168-173). These three Buddhist traditions
are no doubt the dominant forms of Buddhism today. Theravada Buddhism is
dominant in Thailand, Sri Lanka, Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar (formerly Burma).
Mahayana Buddhism is dominant in China, Japan, and Korea. Vajrayana
Buddhism is dominant in Tibet, Nepal, Bhutan, and Mongolia. Those who identify
the Theravada and Mahayana Buddhist traditions as the only major Buddhist
traditions regard the Vajrayana tradition as a form of the Mahayana tradition. On
the other hand, those who consider the Vajrayana tradition as the third major
Buddhist tradition see the Vajrayana tradition as something that developed on its
own and thus should be treated as an independent Buddhist tradition. For our
purposes, we shall follow those who classify the Vajrayana tradition under the
Mahayana tradition, and thus regard Theravada Buddhism and Mayahana
Buddhism as the two major Buddhist traditions.

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MORALITY
While the Buddha embraced the general framework of Indian ideas, he
radically altered many of them (Bowker 1997). Similarly, the cycle of rebirth
persists in Buddhism and succeeding lives may be affected by the moral laws of
cause and effect or karma. Until one has achieved enlightenment, one’s deed in the
present lifetime will affect the course of future rebirths. Buddhist moral thoughts
and actions are principally guided by the “Four Noble Truths” formulated by the
Buddha, along with the basic guide called the “Eightfold Paths” that are divided
into three categories, namely, right view, right conduct, and right practice.
Unhappiness of life (dukkha) is principally caused by people’s unending desires.
People are advised to scrutinize their motivations and ponder upon the outcome of
their actions keeping in mind Buddha’s teachings. Anything harmful to others,
indeed and in thought, must always be avoided (Introductions to World Religions
and the Belief Systems by Jerome A. Ong and Mary Dorothy dL. Jose). The two
major schools of Buddhism, the Theravada and Mahayana sects, though take
different approaches to Buddhism follow the “Four Noble Truths” and the “Noble
Eightfold Path’’. After all these were the core teachings of Buddha when he was
alive. Mahayana and Theravada are unique in their approach to the teachings
(Introductions to World Religions and the Belief Systems by Jerome A. Ong and
Mary Dorothy dL. Jose).
While, The Theravada and Mahayana forms of Buddhism accept the basic
and important Buddhist teachings—the three jewels, the three marks of existence
(impermanence, no-self, suffering), the four dharma seals (three marks of
existence plus nirvana), the four noble truths, the eightfold path, samsara and
karma, dependent origination, and the moral precepts. There are, however,
significant differences which concern the following points: first, the sacred writings
or texts they regard as canonical or authoritative; second, what they consider as
their ideal Buddhist (what their followers are aiming to become); and third, how
they understand the nature of the Buddha. (Recall that Theravada Buddhism
accepts the Tripitaka, also known as the Pali Canon, as the only canonical sacred
texts.
In contrast, Mahayana Buddhism considers the Tripitaka and some other
writings, collectively known as the Mahayana Sutras, as canonical sacred texts)
(Introduction to World Religion and Belief System by Napoleon M. Mabaquiao Jr.,
Phd. Project Director: Ronaldo B. Mactal., Phd.).

PURPOSE
In Buddhism, the principal purpose of one’s life is to terminate all forms of
suffering caused by attachment to impermanent entities, such as material things,
friends, and health. All these do not offer enduring happiness but sorrow. When
one recognizes the impermanence of all these things, an individual begins to free
one’s self from attachment thereby reducing suffering and ending the cycle of
rebirth. Buddha’s teachings on the “Four Noble Truths” and the “Noble Eightfold
Path” form the basic tenets of all Buddhist sects.
In Theravada Buddhism, the monastic way of life ensures the path toward
enlightenment. For the Buddhist laity, they must first be reborn as monks for them
to be eligible for enlightenment. As members of the laity perform good deeds,
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positive karma may bring forth a pleasant condition in the next life. In contrast,
Mahayana Buddhism offers enlightenment to anyone, not only for the members of
the monastic order, but also for those with families and secular careers. Moreover,
the Mahayana branch of Buddhism attracts followers because it offers a faster
route to enlightenment than the Theravada sect (Introductions to World Religions
and the Belief Systems by Jerome A. Ong and Mary Dorothy dL. Jose).

DESTINY
In the Theravada school of Buddhism, the trainings on the development of
ethical conduct, meditation, and insight assist in eradicating all forms of evil to
acquire goodness and purify the mind. All worldly things are momentary and
impermanent. By following the “Middle Path” and practicing the basic doctrines of
Buddhism, there is a realization that desire can be terminated and suffering
reduced. In the end, a perfected state of insight can be accomplished. A person
who has attained this position is called an arhator a “worthy person” who must be
emulated by Theravada Buddhists. Adherents can reach an enlightened status
through their own ways without any assistance from any divine beings, such as
gods or goddesses. With the help of Buddha’s teachings, the journey toward
nirvana becomes possible. Meanwhile, the Mahayana sect devotes much attention
to the bodhisattvas or “enlightened beings” who delay their own enlightenment
for them to benevolently aid other beings to reach their ultimate end. All
beings can follow the path of the bodhisattvas which is the ideal way for all
Buddhists to live. Well-known in the Mahayana sect are Avalokitesvara, Manjusri,
Ksitigarbha, and Samantabhadra. The Theravada sect only accepts Maitreya as
boddhisatva (Introductions to World Religions and the Belief Systems by Jerome A.
Ong and Mary Dorothy dL. Jose).

ARHATS AND BODHISATTVAS

For Theravada Buddhism, the ideal Buddhist is called an arhat(Sanskrit;
Pali: arahat, which means “perfect being,” “one who is worthy—Molloy 2010, 143);
while for Mahayana Buddhism, it is called a bodhisattva(Molloy 2010, 151). Before
we proceed, it must be noted that Theravada Buddhism also has a concept of the
bodhisattva, which has a meaning different from the Mahayana concept. For
Theravadins(the followers of Theravada Buddhism), a bodhisattva is anyone who is
on his/her way to enlightenment (he/she has not yet attained enlightenment but
he/she is on his/her way to attain it). For this reason, in the previous lives of the
Buddha, Theravadins consider him to be a bodhisattva. To avoid confusion, we
shall use the word “bodhisattva” to refer to the Mahayana concept of it. Both the
arhat and the bodhisattva (in the Mahayana sense) have already achieved
enlightenment and are thus worthy to enter the state of nirvana. The arhat
automatically proceeds to the state of nirvana, and because of this, the arhat is
also understood as one who has attained nirvana. As earlier noted, the arhat,
however, differs from a Buddha in that a Buddha attains enlightenment by
means of his/her efforts alone, while an arhat attains enlightenment with
the help and under the guidance of a Buddha. The bodhisattava, on the other
hand, is one who has attained enlightenment also with the help and under the
guidance of Buddha, but, unlike the arhat, the bodhisattva postpones his/her
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entry to the state of nirvana out of compassion in order to help others attain
enlightenment. A bodhisattva’s state of mind is called bodhichitta, referring to the
desire to achieve enlightenment to help others also attain enlightenment.
(Introduction to World Religion and Belief System by Napoleon M.
Mabaquiao Jr., Phd. Project Director: Ronaldo B. Mactal., Phd.).

Explore

Test your knowledge!

ACTIVITY 2: “Recognize ME’’

Directions: Fill in the blanks before each number with your correct answer. Write
TB for Theravada Buddhism and MB for Mahayana Buddhism. Write your answer
in a separate sheet of paper.

____1. Called “The Greater Vehicle”

____2. Follows teachings in Sanskrit
____3. Called “The Schools of Elders”
____4. Follows teachings in Pali
____5. Uses Samantha and Vipassana meditation
____6. Mainly practiced in Sri Lanka
____7. The ideal Buddhist is called an arhat
____8. Uses chanting of mantras and sutras
____9. Mainly practice in Nepal, Japan, China, Tibet, and Korea
____10. Theravadins

Test your understanding!

ACTIVITY 3. “Fit me RIGHT ’’

Directions: In a separate sheet of paper, draw a Venn diagram, write the
similarities and differences of the two major traditions in Buddhism, The
Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism. Write your answer in a separate sheet of
paper. The rubrics below will be used for proper scoring.

Assessment Rubric for a Venn diagram

Category 5 4 3 2 1
Reflects Most of the Reflects some Reflects Contains
factual information factual very little non-factual
information is factual information factual information
that and and attempts information that does not
Content corresponds seemingly to put it in and correspond
with corresponds corresponding attempts to to the
appropriate with section of put it in the appropriate
section of appropriate diagram. appropriate section of

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 diagram. section of section of diagram.
diagram. diagram.
Easy to read, Most text is Some text is Text is not Not legible.
legible. No easy to read. easy to read. easy to Excessive
Text misspellings. Fewer than There are five read. errors.
four misspelled Excessive
misspellings. words. misspellings
more than
five errors.
Clean, neat Fairly neat A little bit Not well Messy and
Presentation and well and clean. clean. Needs organized. A unorganized.
of output organized. Some some more little Not well put
organization. organization. cluttered. together.

Deepen

Deepen your understanding!

Activity 4: “Fill ME”

Directions: Fill in the empty circles with your answer. Use a separate sheet for
your answer.

BUDDHIS
M

1. 1.

1. 1. 1.
2. 2. 2.
3. 3. 3.

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 Sharpen your understanding!

ACTIVITY 5: “Compare ME”

Directions: In a Venn diagram, list down all similarities and differences of the two
major divisions of Buddhism, the Mahayana and Theravada Buddhism. Use a
separate sheet of paper for your answer.

Refer to the rubrics below for the scoring.

Category 5 4 3 2 1
Reflects Most of the Reflects some Reflects Contains
factual information factual very little non-factual
information is factual information factual information
that and and attempts information that does not
Content corresponds seemingly to put it in and correspond
with corresponds corresponding attempts to to the
appropriate with section of put it in the appropriate
section of appropriate diagram. appropriate section of
diagram. section of section of diagram.
diagram. diagram.
Easy to read, Most text is Some text is Text is not Not legible.
legible. No easy to read. easy to read. easy to Excessive
Text misspellings. Fewer than There are five read. errors.
four misspelled Excessive
misspellings. words. misspellings
more than
five errors.
Clean, neat Fairly neat A little bit Not well Messy and
Presentation and well and clean. clean. Needs organized. A unorganized.
of output organized. Some some more little Not well put
organization. organization. cluttered. together.

Gauge

Fasten your understanding. Relax, you are about to finish

the module.

I. MULTIPLE CHOICE.
Directions: Choose the letter that best represents your answer from the choices.
Write your answer on a separate sheet of paper.

1. What is the sacred Buddhist text recognized by both Theravada Buddhism

and Mahayana Buddhism ?
A. Heart Sutra C. Pitaka
B. Lotus Sutra D. Tripitaka

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 2. Which is described as the “Diamond Vehicle?”
A. Mahayana Buddhism C. Tindai Buddhism
B. Theravada Buddhism D. Vajrayana Buddhism

3. Which is described as the “Great Vehicle?”

A. Mahayana Buddhism C. Tindai Buddhism
B. Theravada Buddhism D. Vajrayana Buddhism

4. What is the Mahayana doctrine that Buddha has three bodies?

A. Trimurti C. Tripitaka
B. Trikaya D. Triheart

5. What is the ideal Buddhist of Theravada Buddhism?

A. an arhat C. a bodhichitta
B. a bodhisattva D. a theravadins

6. Which among the choices means “perfect being,” “one who is worthy?
A. Pali: Thevadins C. Pali:bodhichitta
B. Pali:bodhisattva D. Pali: arahat

7. Who are called as followers of Theravada?

A. Theravadins C. Therasutra
B. Therasattva D. Therabotshiva

8. What is the ideal Buddhist of Mahayana Buddhism?

A. an arhat C. a bodhichitta
B. a bodhisattva D. a theravadins
9. Which among the choices would mean “the unhappiness of life?”
A. Buddha C. Kattha
B. Dukkha D. Dukka
10. What is a bodhisattva’s state of mind bodhichitta?
A. Arahat C. bodhichitta
B. bodhisattva D. Pali

II. ESSAY
Directions: In a separate sheet of paper, explain your answer. Refer to the rubrics
below for the scoring.

The Theravada and Mahayana forms of Buddhism accept the basic and important
Buddhist teachings—the three jewels, the three marks of existence (impermanence,
no-self, suffering), the four dharma seals (three marks of existence plus nirvana),
the four noble truths, the eightfold path, samsara and karma, dependent
origination, and the moral precepts but there are, however, significant differences .
Give one significant difference and explain briefly.

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 Rubrics

Excellent Very Good Good Poor Needs

5 4 3 2 Improvement
1
Completeness

Knowledge

Analysis

Writing Skills

CONGRATULATIONS!
You are now ready for the next module.

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MULTIPLE Note: Venn Diagram is under the teacher’s discretion
CHOICE:
1. D Activity 2 Activity 1
2. D 1. MB Discretion of the teacher
3. A 2. MB
4. A 3. TB
5. D 4. TB
5. TB Activity 3,4,5
6. D Discretion of the teacher
6. TB
7. A 7. TB
8. B 8. MB
9. B 9. MB
10. TB
Essay: Discretion of the Teacher
10.C
Answer Key
References
Printed:

Cornelio▪Calano▪Sapitula (2016) Introduction to World Religions and the Belief

Systems. Manila, Philippines: Rex Bookstore, Inc.
2016 of Vibal Group, Inc. and Jerome A. Ong and Mary Dorothy dL. Jose.
Introduction to World Religions and Belief Systems
PHOENIX PUBLISHING HOUSE. Introduction to World Religion and Belief System.
Napoleon M. Mabaquiao Jr., Phd. Project Director: Ronaldo B. Mactal., Phd.

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