Theravada Buddhism

Based on the tradition of the "theras" or elder monks, this 2500 years old conservative Buddhism is best understood as a single lineage based on a comparatively small body of texts which is popularly known as the Triple Gems preserved in Pali language (similar to Sanskrit language). Theravada Buddhism was introduced into most of South and South East Asia from India, which is distinct form the Mahayana Buddhism introduced into Tibet and China.A close symbolic relationship between the Theravada Buddhists monks and the lay people exist today, which is very similar to that existing at the time of GautamaBuddha around BC 600. The monks strictly obey the traditional rules prescribed for monks and nuns upholding the original teachings of Buddha. Theravada Buddhism...

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Mahaparinirvana of the Buddha

MahaparinirvanaAccording to the Mahaparinibbana Sutta of the Pali canon, at the age of 80, the Buddha announced that he would soon reach Parinirvana, or the final deathless state, and abandon his earthly body. After this, the Buddha ate his last meal, which he had received as an offering from a blacksmith named Cunda. Falling violently ill, Buddha instructed his attendant Ānanda to convince Cunda that the meal eaten at his place had nothing to do with his passing and that his meal would be a source of the greatest merit as it provided the last meal for a Buddha.  Mettanando and von Hinüber argue that the Buddha died of mesenteric infarction, a symptom of old age, rather than food poisoning. The precise contents of the Buddha's final meal are not...

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Mahayana Buddhism

Mahāyāna (Sanskrit: महायान, mahāyāna, literally the "Great Vehicle") is one of the two main existing branches of Buddhism and a term for classification of Buddhist philosophies and practice. Mahāyāna Buddhism originated in India.The Mahāyāna tradition is the larger of the two major traditions of Buddhism existing today, the other being that of the Theravāda school. According to the teachings of Mahāyāna traditions, "Mahāyāna" also refers to the path of seeking complete enlightenment for the benefit of all sentient beings, also called "Bodhisattvayāna", or the "Bodhisattva Vehicle. Mahayana Buddhism, also known as the Great Vehicle, is the form of Buddhism prominent in North Asia, including China, Mongolia, Tibet, Korea, and Japan. Arising...

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