Dhamma Wheel Buddhist Forum

How did Theravada tradition become distinct from Mahayana & Vajrayana tradtions? . .thanks

This is a pretty sticky topic but it may be more accurate to turn the question on its head and ask how the Mahayana and Vajrayana become distinct traditions largely without reference to the Pali Canon. Let the controversy begin anew...

Wesley1982 wrote:How did Theravada tradition become distinct from Mahayana & Vajrayana tradtions? . .thanks

Didn't Mahayana and Vajrayana develop AFTER Theravada?

I didn't think it was a hot topic. Theravada must be regionally Indian where Gautama Buddha lived and died - Mahayana and Vajrayana must have been "introduced" to Tibet, parts of Asia, and China.

Alex123 wrote:

Wesley1982 wrote:How did Theravada tradition become distinct from Mahayana & Vajrayana tradtions? . .thanks

Didn't Mahayana and Vajrayana develop AFTER Theravada?

Yes, I think so. Or maybe parallel along the same time <?>

Alex123 wrote:

Wesley1982 wrote:How did Theravada tradition become distinct from Mahayana & Vajrayana tradtions? . .thanks

Didn't Mahayana and Vajrayana develop AFTER Theravada?

That depends on who you ask. For example in the T'ien T'ai (Tendai) chronological categories, the Avatamsaka Sutra was taught first right after the Buddha achieved Enlightenment. Modern scholarship will disagree with this.

Theravada states that the first teachings was the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta. So I guess it's important to ask from which view are you investigating this question.

Wesley1982 wrote:How did Theravada tradition become distinct from Mahayana & Vajrayana tradtions? . .thanks

Because people interpret things differently and can't come to an agreement.

Of course, Theravada tradition can be looked up on Wikipedia but its better to discuss it.

Wesley1982 wrote:Of course, Theravada tradition can be looked up on Wikipedia but its better to discuss it.

Since this topic can be exhausting, has been discussed many times before, and you are a new member, it may help if you give a few reasons why you want to have this discussion. Just an idea.

SDC wrote:

Wesley1982 wrote:Of course, Theravada tradition can be looked up on Wikipedia but its better to discuss it.

Since this topic can be exhausting, has been discussed many times before, and you are a new member, it may help if you give a few reasons why you want to have this discussion. Just an idea.

I spent some time over at the other Dharma Wheel forum before coming here. Did not know this would be a hot topic

It is not a hot topic. It is now in the "Open Dhamma" section.

Wesley1982 wrote:Did not know this would be a hot topic

Definitely not hot, just very broad.

EDIT - Sorry for coming off like a cynical pr*#k.

When did followers of the Dhamma-Vinaya start calling themselves Theravadins?

Greetings,

polarbuddha101 wrote:When did followers of the Dhamma-Vinaya start calling themselves Theravadins?

Presumably when they felt the need to differentiate themselves from those who didn't?

Metta,
Retro.

polarbuddha101 wrote:When did followers of the Dhamma-Vinaya start calling themselves Theravadins?

Probably when they realized that by just calling themselves "Buddhist" meant that they believed in everything that was classified as Buddhism; of which there was a great deal that they did not agree with.

EDIT - Retro beat me.