Differences between Buddhism and Theravada

Buddhism and Theravada comparison

Buddhism is a religion and philosophy that developed from the teachings of the Buddha, who lived in ancient India between the 6th and 4th centuries BCE. Theravāda, meaning "The Way of the Elders" in the Pāli language, is the oldest existing school of Buddhism. A direct comparison between "Buddhism" and "Theravada" is inexact, as Theravada is a part of Buddhism. The main differences are best understood by comparing Theravada to Mahāyāna, the other major branch of Buddhism. Together, these two schools represent the beliefs of the majority of the world's Buddhists. Theravada is the dominant form of Buddhism in Sri Lanka, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar. Mahayana Buddhism is more common in East Asia and Tibet.

Comparison Table

Category	General Buddhism (Mahāyāna emphasis)	Theravāda Buddhism
Status	A broad term for a religion with multiple schools; Mahāyāna is the largest branch.	The oldest surviving school of Buddhism, considered more conservative in doctrine.
Primary Goal	To become a Bodhisattva, an enlightened being who delays their own final nirvana to help all sentient beings achieve enlightenment.	To become an Arhat (a "worthy one"), an individual who achieves liberation and nirvana through their own efforts by following the Buddha's teachings.
Key Texts	Accepts the Pāli Canon but also includes a broader collection of later scriptures called Mahāyāna sūtras (e.g., the Lotus Sūtra, Heart Sūtra).	Exclusively adheres to the Tipiṭaka, also known as the Pāli Canon, as the most authentic collection of the Buddha's teachings.
View of the Buddha	Views the historical Buddha (Siddhārtha Gautama) as one of many Buddhas who exist across different realms and time periods.	Focuses on Siddhārtha Gautama as the historical Buddha of the present age, who was a human being that achieved full enlightenment.
Geographic Reach	Predominantly practiced in East Asia (China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam) and Tibet.	Predominantly practiced in Southeast Asia (Sri Lanka, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar).

Venn diagram comparing Differences between Buddhism and Theravada

Doctrinal Focus

The core of the doctrinal difference between Theravada and other Buddhist schools, particularly Mahayana, lies in the ideal practitioner. In Theravada, the ideal is the Arhat, a person who has attained full enlightenment and ended their cycle of rebirth (samsara) by following the path laid out by the Buddha. The focus is on self-liberation through disciplined practice and wisdom.

In Mahayana traditions, the ideal is the Bodhisattva. A Bodhisattva is a being who has reached enlightenment but chooses to remain in the cycle of rebirth out of compassion to help all other beings achieve enlightenment first. This path emphasizes compassion (karuṇā) alongside wisdom (prajñā).

Scriptural Canon

Theravāda Buddhism holds the Pāli Canon, known as the Tipiṭaka ("three baskets"), as its sole scriptural authority. This collection of texts is believed to contain the original teachings of the Buddha, preserved orally for centuries before being written down. It is considered the most complete early Buddhist canon that still exists.

While Mahāyāna schools revere the Pāli Canon, they do not see it as the final or complete teaching. They incorporate a wide range of additional texts, known as the Mahāyāna sūtras, which were composed centuries after the Buddha's death. These texts introduce concepts such as the Bodhisattva ideal and the existence of multiple Buddhas and cosmic realms. Theravada does not accept the authenticity of these later Mahayana sutras.