Buddhism is a widespread religion based on the teachings of Lord Buddha that has millions of followers worldwide. Over time, many different schools or sects of Buddhism have emerged, with Mahayana and Vajrayana being two of the most important. While there are similarities between these two sects, there are also some key differences.
Key Takeaways
- Mahayana is an older school of thought, while Vajrayana is a newer one.
- Mahayana focuses on attaining enlightenment over many lifetimes, while Vajrayana promises enlightenment within a single lifetime.
- Vajrayana is influenced by Padmasambhava, an influential scholar sometimes referred to as the second Buddha.
What is Mahayana?
Mahayana, a Sanskrit word meaning “Great Vehicle,” is a school of thought within Buddhism that originated and developed in India. With more than half of all Buddhists worldwide following its beliefs and practices, Mahayana has the largest number of followers. This sect is a path to enlightenment and is also called the Bodhisattva vehicle, as its followers pledge to work for the enlightenment of others even after attaining their own enlightenment. Mahayana Buddhism includes traditions such as Zen, Pure Land, and Tibetan Buddhism and emphasizes wisdom and awareness.
What is Vajrayana?
Vajrayana, meaning “thunderbolt vehicle,” is one of the three vehicles to enlightenment within Buddhism. This school of thought emerged later than Mahayana, in the 8th century in India. Though its teachings are similar to those of the Buddha, Vajrayana is also influenced by Padmasambhava, an influential scholar who is sometimes referred to as the second Buddha. Vajrayana is also called the Diamond vehicle, indicating the inner strength of this school of thought. Followers of this path to enlightenment call it the short path, as it promises enlightenment within a single lifetime, as opposed to other schools of Buddhism that teach that Nirvana is achievable only over multiple lifetimes.
