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From the discussions we come to the following conclusions: Theravada Buddhism had a specialized teaching which was good for the intellectual people and therefore it was not practical for all. As a result i

-: 112 Theravada Buddhism did not meet the needs of the time. So Mahayana Buddhism was emerged to try to get back the spirit of Buddha. Here is given the basic differences between Theravada Buddhism and Mahayana Buddhism. A. DOCTRINAL DIFFERENCES: 1) The purpose of Theravada Buddhism is to get the enlighterment by oneself and enter into Nirvana. But on the other hand, Mahayana Buddhism, preached that their Bodhisattva will be enlightened, but will not enter into Nirvana until and unless the last being of the world does not get liberated. 2) In Theravada Buddhism, the monks usually become hermits and spend a life of seclusion being totally absorbed in meditation. But in Mahayana they are people. And wandering monks and active to help the people. their desire for the enlightenment and the establishment of the new happy world gave the idea of the "Pure Land" (SukhavatI). 3) The cause of the sufferings is desire in both Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism. But in Theravada Buddhism they took the conservative life to avoid the sufferings. On the other hand in Mahayana, they recognized the desire normally and religiously. They faced the sufferings as the reality. 鈥�

| 113 :- 4). In Theravada Buddhism they recognized the existences which corrupt our minds. But in Mahayana they believe in the theory that all the existences are dependent in our minds only. That is to say, they are of opinion that once they are possessed with the Buddhanature (Buddhata) and the illusion and passions (Klesa, kilesa) are in their minds only. According to them all the phenomena in the world are nothing but the I symbol of delusions and nothingness (Sunya, sunyata). } 5} The Theravada is static and suitable for a particular time only, but the Mahayana is dynamic and suitable to all ages to come. 6) In the Theravada worldly happiness is discouraged having a pessimistic outlook in view, whereas in the Mahayana, happiness is always encouraged with a optimistic outlook. Not only that, in Mahayana, people are inspired to long for enjoying the utmost happiness being born in the "Pure Land" of the Buddha. B. PHILOSOPHICAL DIFFERENCES: Philosophically the difference between Hinayana and Mahayana centres round the conception of the highest Truth. According to the Hinayanists, the highest Truth is Pudgalasunyata only, while according to the Mahayanists, 1

-- 114 :- : 114 it is both Pudgalasunyata and Charmasunyata. There is also difference between the schools as regards the stages of progress. The Inayanists recognise four stages called Sotapatti, Sakadagami, Anagami, Arahatta (the last stage attained by the Buddhas also). But the Mahayanists recognize ten stages (= bhumis) (twelve stages according to Bodhisattvabhumi) of progress through which a Bodhisattva passes and ultimately becomes a Buddha. But according to the Dasabhumikasutra (Chapter IV), through the practice of the first six bhumis a Bodhisattva realises Pudgalasunyata, the Truth as conceived by the Hinayanists, while the last four bhumis lead to the Dharmasunyata, the highest Truth conceived by the Mahayanists. Thus Pudgala- sunyata corresponds to the four stages (Sotapatti etc.) of the Hinayanists. But the second stage, i.e. Dharma- sunyata lies beyond their reach, as they do not also admit such a stage. This is one of the vital points by which the Mahayanists claim their superiority to the Hinayanists. Dr. N. Dutt is of opinion that the description of the first six bhumis of the Mahayanists is simply a Sanskritised form of the Pali passages, which deal with the stages of sanctification. Hence the real addition of the Mahayanists is the last four bhumis, viz. Durangama, Acala, Sadhumati and Dharmamegha. 23. N. Dutt, op. cit., cit., p. 239, 23

- - 115 :The Saddharma-Pundarika points out difference between Hinayana and Mahayana as regards the comprehension of Truths. According to the Hinayanists, a being, comprehending the Aryasatvas and the Pratityas amutpada, attains Nirvana, i.e. passes from samsara to nirvana, from a laukika to lokottara state. But according to the Mahayanists, a being, by comprehending the fact that there is no difference between samsara and nirvana, that the world has only a relative existence (pratityas amutpanna) and that it is unreal but appears real to a deluded mind, realises the true Nirvana, which is nothing but the Sunyata or Tathata. According to the Mahayanists, the Aryasatyas and the Pratity as amutpada are unreal, but these are also necessary for the deluded beings to comprehend the Pudgalasunyata through them. "In consonance with their conception of the Reality, the Mahayanists held that Buddha had two forms of teaching, conventional (= samvrti) and transcendental (= paramartha), and that whatever he said about the Aryasatyas or Pratityasamutpada were conventional, his real teaching being Sunyata or Tathata, which could not be imparted by one to another and could be realised only within one's own self."

-: 116 :- 1 Special characteristics of Mahayana and Hinayana (comparison and Contrast) MA E AU A N A 1. The conception of the Bodhisattva 鈫�>> 2. The practice of the Paramitas 3. The development of Bodhicitta EIN AU ANA 1. The conception of the Bodhisattva 鈫� 2. The practice of the Paramitas 4. The goal of Buddhahood 鈫� 5. The conception of 3. The development of Bodhicitta 4. The goal of Buddhahood 5. The conception of Dvikaya (Rupakaya and Dharmakaya). Trikaya (Rupakaya, Dharmakaya, Sambhogakaya) 6. The ten Bhumis of spiritual development) 7. The conception of Dharmasunyata or Tathata. 6. The six bhumis of spiritual development 7. The conception of Pudagala sunyata. shu