Assignment 5 Class Notes: India Packet I
Differences between the original Theravada/Hinayana Buddhism and the less strict Mahayana Buddhism
Theravada/Hinayana
Buddhism
Original Buddhism
“The lesser vehicle”
makes it hard for many
to achieve salvation.
No “good deeds” can
help
Only living life according
to Noble Eightfold Path
can bring salvation.
Hardcore Buddhism.
Siddhartha Gotama (The
Buddha) a very
enlightened man
None exist
Involves considerable
sacrifice including giving
up personal property,
relying on the donations
of others to survive, and
not having a family
Issue
Mahayana Buddhism
Age of the
Newer Buddhism
religion
Ease of reaching “The greater vehicle” lets
Nirvana
more people achieve
salvation.
Gifts and good
Giving gifts to help
deeds
monasteries can help one
reach Nirvana
How closely
The Noble Eightfold Path
should rules be is a bunch of guidelines
followed?
for one’s life.
God(s)?
Siddhartha Gotama (The
Buddha) a god, or at the
very least more than only
human.
Belief in
A soul that has gained
Boddhisatvas
entrance to Nirvana, but
has chosen to be
reincarnated to come
back and help others.
Demands on the One should merely live
Individual
according to Buddhist
principles of not seeking
or becoming attached to
wealth, fame, or
possessions.
Reasons Buddhism Spread So Quickly and Became so Popular:
1. Solved Problems of Hinduism
a. No caste system, all were considered equal
b. Salvation could be achieved in one lifetime instead of many
c. Used common language instead of Sanskrit, which only Brahmins
were allowed to learn.
2. Economic Reasons
a. For the Poor
1.
Celebrated poverty, so the poor were already doing well
in Buddhism
2.
Buddhist monasteries took on the functions of banks,
schools, centers of agricultural knowledge and teaching,
and safe havens in emergencies.
b. For the Middle Class
1.
Merchants were welcome to use Buddhist monasteries
as inns
2.
Gave merchants more chances to associate with nonVaishyas.
c.
For the Rich
1.
Were allowed to keep their wealth as long as they
supported the monasteries
2.
No longer had to depend on and support higher castes
that in many cases generally did not work as hard
3. Expansion
a.
After 260 bce was favored and supported by India’s ruling elite
b.
Merchants spread the religion throughout Asia
c.
Buddhist centers of learning attracted scholars throughout Asia, who
then brought the faith back with them upon return home.
d.
Pilgrims traveling to Buddhist holy sites helped spread the religion.