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Rise of Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism

After Gautama Buddha's death, Buddhism would remain relatively local to India until adopted by King Ashoka during his rule (268-232 BCE). Upon his conversion to Buddhism, Ashoka would become a valuable sponsor for Buddhism and missionary work that spread Buddhism beyond India. One of the most notable accomplishments of this missionary work was the introduction and adoption of Buddhism in Sri Lanka, where Buddhism would strongly take root. After Ashoka's death, royal sponsorship of Buddhism ceased and Buddhism entered a period of decline, with one exception. "Only Theravada and its sister traditions, safely ensconced on the island of Sri Lanka, managed to survive and remain healthy." (Bresnan 251)  Theravada would establish itself as one of Buddhism's great traditions and, through dissatisfaction among some practitioners, would give rise to another great tradition called Mahayana. This post will outline what was happening to Theravada Buddhism that opened the way for Mahayana. 

For anyone interested, here is an excellent video that will further elaborate on the differences between Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism.


While Theravada thrived in Sri Lanka, it failed to root as deeply in India. The Theravada practice was an insular, secular practice individuals could follow to reach awakening. While beautiful in it's own right, Theravada tended to draw followers from educated, elite classes. The masses most likely found the lack of ritual and strict lifestyle uninspiring or intimidating, which is why traditional Hinduism retained it's stronghold over many villages. "The hardworking rural people were not much attracted to a philosophy that must have seemed lofty and esoteric to them, that appeared to demand total commitment to a different way of life, and worst of all, turned its back on traditional beliefs and ceremonies." (Bresnan 260) 

The perception of Theravada as an elitist, inflexible, and secular tradition would spur some Buddhists to embrace a new and revolutionary interpretation of Buddhism called Mahayana.

Map of Buddhism's Expansion
Map of Buddhist Expansion through Asia

 

To some Buddhists "the Theravada tradition had become to conservative, too rule-bound, too elitist, and too narrow in scope." (Bresnan 263) In addition, Theravada seemed too self-centered, focus on the individuals pursuit of nirvana. For these reasons, Mahayana rose in protest (not opposition) to Theravadin interpretations. The Mahayana interpretation chose to focus on helping others on the journey to nirvana and developed more traditionally "religious" devotional practices that were seen as more inspirational and appealing to the masses. 

Gautama Buddha, Bas relief on copper plate

The Mahayanist perception of Theravadin traditions is made a little clearer when one breaks down the term Hinayana, which Mahayanists bestowed on Theravada. In Sanskrit, Mahayana means "great vehicle". In his time, Buddha "compared his teachings to a raft (one of the meanings of yana) that could ferry a person across the river of ignorance." (Bresnan 264) Mahayanists took this metaphor further, referring to Theravada as Hinayana, a "small vehicle". In the minds of the Mahayanists, Mahayana was serving as a large vehicle, capable of helping many people cross the river of ignorance, while Theravada was a small vehicle reserved for the elite few.


Bodhisattva of compassion 

While both are born from the teachings of Gautama Buddha, Theravada and Mahayana practices are considerably different. Forming the major branches of Buddhism, the two traditions have also formed offshoots including Tibetan, Zen, and Vajrayana (which some argue is a third major branch of Buddhism). This variety in ritual and practice of the Buddha's teachings allows for individuals to determine for themselves how they would like to embrace Buddhism and keep the teachings of Gautama Buddha alive.


Works Cited

Bresnan, Patrick S. Awakening: An Introduction to the History of Eastern Thought. 6th ed., Routledge, 2018.

Mark, Joshua J. "Mahayana Buddhism." World History Encyclopedia. World History Encyclopedia, 17 Aug 2021. Web. 20 Oct 2021.

"File:Buddhist Expansion.svg." Wikimedia Commons, the free media repository. 27 Aug 2021, 04:15 UTC. 21 Oct 2021, 20:53 <https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Buddhist_Expansion.svg&oldid=586424219>.

Chung, Francis. "Gautama Buddha in Padmasana." World History Encyclopedia. World History Encyclopedia, 29 Apr 2016. Web. 20 Oct 2021.

"File:Bodhi_Ajanta.jpg." Wikimedia Commons, the free media repository. 3 Apr 2021, 15:54 UTC. 21 Oct 2021, 20:40 <https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Bodhi_Ajanta.jpg&oldid=549726980>.   


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