Theravada Buddhism is also the oldest surviving school of Buddhism. The Mahayana is more of an umbrella body for a great variety of schools, from the Tantra school (the secret teaching of Yoga) well represented in Tibet and Nepal to the Pure Land sect, whose essential teaching is that salvation can be attained only through absolute trust in the saving power of Amitabha, longing to be reborn in his paradise through his grace, which are found in China, Korea and Japan. From China, Chan Buddhism migrated to Korea as Seon (or Son), to Vietnam as Thien, and to Japan as Zen. The information contained in this article (Schools In: Comparing Mahayana and Theravada Buddhism) is for general information purposes only/discussion of Buddhism and Buddhist teachings. Compared to other sects of Buddhism, Theravada is relatively conservative and closest to the earliest teachings of Buddhism. A new school of Buddhism known as Mahayana Buddhism or Mahayana school of Buddhism or Mahayanism became prominent during the reign of Kanishka who ruled large parts of the Indian subcontinent in the late second century A.D. Mahayana literally means a greater vehicle. Mahayana - Mahayana - Monastic and philosophical traditions: In contrast to various Mahayana doctrinal innovations, some aspects of the Mahayana tradition, particularly in its earlier Indian forms, are distinctly conservative, especially with respect to monastic ethics. An increasing number of scholars prefer to use the term “mainstream Buddhist schools” instead of Hinayana, which is … Mahayana Buddhism History. Other Mahayana schools developed in Japan, including the Pure Land schools and those based on the teachings of Nichiren, a Japanese priest. Mahayana Buddhism (or the Mahayanas) can be defined as a major movement in the history of Buddhism which has its origins in northern India.It is made up of many schools and reinterpretations of fundamental human beliefs, values and ideals not only those of the Buddhist teachings. Tibet and Mongolia are shaded orange for Vajrayana. Although many of the teachings are the same between Mahayana and Theravada, there are a few major differences. Mahayana Buddhists accept the Pali Canon as sacred scripture with the Theravadans, but also many other works, the Sutras, which were written later and in Sanskrit. Others believe that it was created as a layperson response to the established schools of the time, which tended to be exclusive to the religious elite. MAHAYANA . Alan Peto assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions in the content of this site. Although there are many different types of Buddhism , most traditions fall into one of these two schools. Below are possible answers for the crossword clue School of Buddhism.