Ven. Dhammavuddho 26 - Differences between Mahayana and Ther

[cittamagga]

Mahayana is not Buddhist teaching, but bodhisatta's teaching. Bodhisatta is not equal to Buddha but Buddha is equal to Arahant, Bhagava‧arahant‧sammasambuddho­, through out Pali sutta. Mahayana suttas are creative stories only and when they are translated into Chinese, Chinese recreated them again by adding or reducing sentence.

In Pali, emptiness does not too mention but in Brahman sutta, emptiness is to be mentioned. Mahayana undertake Brahmanism, not Buddhism.

[veganRJ]

The Sutra of Hui Neng and Amitabha Sutra does not contradict - because the Pureland in the mind essence is not different from the Pureland in the West.

The Buddha has 3 bodies - dharmakaya, nirmanakaya and saṃbhogakāya. So there is nothing wrong when there are a lot of Buddhas in Ksitigarbha Sutra. The Diamond Sutra says about not seeking the Tathagatha by form or sound is because this sutra teaching is geared towards emptiness. I see no conflict betwn both sutras.

[hunnibalhandynas]

mahayana difference with theravada is mainly on the concept of emptiness...bodhisattvas are not saviours, but rather highly enlightened beings who could help you, but ultimately you are only responsible for your own enlightenment...no beings can do it on your behalf. to be reborn in the pure land is to continue on your path to enlightenment, not for you to relax and do nothing

[chophel1]

@hunnibalhandynas actually bodhisattvas are NOT enlightened at all. in Ariyapariyesana Sutta: The Noble Search MN26 the Buddha says "I, too, monks, before my Awakening, when I was an unawakened bodhisatta..." 

[lovelygreebo]

Sigh... Theravada will get you to the Arhant stage. Mahayana will make you a bodhisattva then supreme enlightenment. Why hate?!

[ruzickaw]

most of the mayayana scriptures are just fairytales. How can grown up people ever believe that Buddha really taught such nonsense?

[ginabanadab]

as a mahayana buddhists i found this video very interesting. I think that the differences between Theravada and Mahayana are often over-emphasised. Both are different branches of the same Dharma tree. i think that often, when comparisons are made between Theravada and Mahayana buddhism (this video included to some extent) these comparisons tend to be focused more primarily on the individual's understanding of the Buddhist Dharma rather than on the Dharma itself.

[shaneho78]

I find it strange that Bodhisattvas can allow their followers to escape from samsara without achieving nirvana on their own merits

[AryaSravaka]

Sri Lanka and Thailand. The heart of surviving old real buddhism. Whatever u believe Follow Noble eightfold path. Buddhism is not a faith or a belief but a direct seeing and understanding about impermanence, suffering, not self of 5 aggregates, samsara and the entire world as it is. reality but not optimistic or pessimistic

[oseanic80]

Obviously Sthaviravada = Theravada existed for a thousand years "without" Mahayana, anyone who says Mahayana is "real Buddhism or authentic" should read the history of the Buddhist religion it's schisms and sects where started by this rebellious monks called Mahayana = Mahasanghika and many other sects that are affected by Shaivistic Hinduism and Bhakti movement which are very alien to the Dhamma of Gotama. I am not a Buddhist but I know who is guilty of schism from the "original Dhamma".

[shanghaimanify]

@oseanic80 Actually this "history" is only based on very late Theravada works, and these views were not shared by other schools of Indian Buddhism. Theravada was one of 18 sects, and is not the same as Sthaviravada. The Theravadins were actually Vibhajjavadins who later renamed their sect to claim their role as the "original" Sthaviravada school, which they are not. Also, Mahayana Buddhism developed in 1st-2nd century BCE, not 1000 years after the Theravada school split from Mahasanghika.

[Lin11T]

Er hat echt Recht, Mann !!

[Taesungy]

One can reach the Pure Land through the Sambhogakaya manisfestation. We are talking about Pure Land on two different levels, how can you compare the two and say that they contradict each other? There is no contradiction at all. And the Diamond sutra, one has to read and fully understand its meaning, and I don't even know where that quote this Venerable talked about came from, because I don't see it.

[Taesungy]

Oh my god.

This is ridiculous! This Venerable doesn't understand the meaning behind those sutras. What he said was "contradictory" I found nothing contradictory at all.

The Pure Land for example: 6th Patriach Huineng mentioned that if one's mind is pure, then there is the pure land, is that not true? A moment of peace and bliss, is that not the pure land already? But, in the Amitabha sutra, it clearly also means that during the time of death, when one's physical body is no longer.

[rucha58]

If everyone becomes a bodhisattva, won't nobody become enlightened?

[ruzickaw]

The Mahayana thinks it is superior because it upholds the ideal of the Bodhisattva who vows not to evaporate from this world until the tiniest worm has been saved.

According to its sutras there have been and there are millions and millions of Boddhisattvas at work with all their skillful means.

But were is the result of all that effort?

Humankind becomes more violent und brute.

And everyday more and more animals become extinct before they are saved.

So, Bodhisattvas, hurry up!

[Gerardwbklyn]

There are more then one realm you know! Things occurr and happen - not according to the "I" or "mine" or "your" schedule - but they happen.

Be patient and any contribution anyone can make would be great. we need all beings to help out in the cycles of Samsara.

Thanks

[netelsg]

At that time the World Honored One spoke a verse saying, One who looks for me in forms, Or seeks me in sounds, practices a deviant path and will never see the Thus Come One.

Pls compare above statement with what he said if they are the same. When did the sutra says "Now that the buddha has enter Nibbana? Pls go to google search and find "Buddhism Diamond Sutra" and read the sutra. See if u can find those words in the sutra as what he said. Check it out, don't just listen blindly.

[netelsg]

Diamond or Vajra Sutra NEVER states that Buddha gone into Nibanna and no one will see or touch him again. Pls read the Vajra or Diamond sutra properly.

[netelsg]

In Vajra Sutra, it states :

"Subhuti, what do you think, is it possible to see the Thus Come One in his physical appearances?" "No World Honored One, it is not possible to see Thus Come One in his physical appearances. Why? Because the physical appearances mentioned by the Thus Come One are not physical appearances." The Buddha said to Subhuti, "All appearances are empty and false. If one sees all appearances as no appearances, then one sees the Thus Come One."

[netelsg]

In Theravada, we learn about "No-Self", be mindful of the presence moment to moment, seeing things as it is & impermanence. All this are still not enlightenment. Move on further; do not stop at this.

[kusalaviro]

What the Buddha taught is already perfect and complete, why did Mahayana add other stuff that contradicts itself?

[netelsg]

what other stuff that contradicts itself?

[kusalaviro]

Did you not listen to the video????? Stop trying to defend a wrong idea and LISTEN AN LEARN!!!

[netelsg]

I don't see any contradictions. Six Patriarch is enlightened and he speaks at his point of view. Yes, I agree with 6 patriarch that pure land is near. It is also true that one can also take rebirth in Amitabha Buddha's pureland.

[netelsg]

Regarding his comment on Diamond Sutra, he has misunderstood the mean in the sutra.

[jayasenan]

@netelsg

ooooo, you think so?

[netelsg]

@jayasenan

what are you commenting on?

[netelsg]

@jayasenan

Whatever it is, buddhists are taught to verify things themselves, not based on heresay or believe. Check out the facts yourselves.

[jayasenan]

@netelsg

i see. so what are you trying to say? A guy who practiced meditation his whole life(Ven. Dhammavuddho) or buddha who taught him vipassana in the first place? In this case niether one is right nor wrong, is better to listen and observe what they are trying to say. We ourselves are not perfect but we are judging other people and gurus

[netelsg]

@jayasenan

Study both the theravada and mahayana buddhism. Verify for yourself through experience. As advice, do not belive blindly what other people teach or say. Take those as references.

By the way, are you theravada or mahayana?

I'm Mahayana - I study both Pure-land and Zen Buddhism.

[jayasenan]

You are doing the stupid mistake over and over again. Pure land is not much different from Zen. If you think it is not then you are praticing the wrong way. If you do not believe me there is a Pure land in this very earth you are living. Why go to Pure land after your death if you can see it now. Dumb. What i practiced? You do not need to tell the whole world what you are practicing. If you really want to know what the pure land is, follow the tibetians or the sages.

[netelsg]

@jayasenan

What I'm saying is Buddha has taught both theravada and mahayana buddhism.

I have no doubt about theravada teachings. I have studied mahayana teachings for more than 10 years. It's also the teachings of the Buddha.

Ven. Dhammavuddho might have some misunderstanding on Mahayana Buddhism. But I don't see any contradictions.

In theravada, counting breath is the object of concentration while PureLand Buddhism uses recitation of Buddha's name as object of concentration. U see?

[jayasenan]

@netelsg

you are wrong in every single way. I practiced threvada and it is not much different form mahayana. Just the revelation is very different. Mahayana as what you said recitation of buddhas name is wrong. Mahayana is Raja yoga and hatha yoga. Chanting and visualization are needed. However, know adays people are very stupid. They do not understand mahayana. They slander it. They think mahayana is greater than other form of chantings which is wrong. .

[netelsg]

@jayasenan

Hmmm, I think you don't understand what is Mahayana Buddhism. Did you read the Heart Sutra or Vajra Sutra or Suragama Sutra?

[Olebruc]

But what about helping others??

[buddhasknowbest]

What has the Lord Buddha actually taught? I've found that the Theravada tradition delivers the Dharma most efficiently. Mahayana is too contradictory and creates confusion by it's innovations. To understand Buddhism, one should seek early Buddhism by accessing the most genuine texts. Those oldest texts are found in the Sutta Pitaka of the Tipitaka (Pali Canon). May all beings be well and happy!

[kusalaviro]

very true!

[Malcolmlee9]

Sadhu Sadhu Sadhu!!

Let the Dhamma prevail.

[wverheij]

As he says, it is simple. The Pali canon predates the commentaries and Mahayana teachings. The Buddha tought not to trust on anyone's statements (kalamasutta), but to test them for yourself. If they benefit you truely (and to judge this takes patience and circumspiction) then take them to heart. Buddha nature? I Never saw it. Actions can be seen (bodily, verbal and mental-actions) simply scrutineze them closely and know their fleeting nature. There is no permanence in them.

Arjan

[netelsg]

Mahayana Buddhism is true teachings of the Buddha too. You have not practice Mahayana hard enough to realise your buddha nature. I verify that Mahayana teachings are true teaching of the Buddha through my experiment and practice.

[netelsg]

I'm from Mahayana Pureland buddhism (reciting Amitabha Buddha's Name) and I'm now enlightened.

[Paxcounate]

congratulations

[badkamma]

Yes,you are right Bhante."Sādhu! Sādhu! Sādhu!"