What is the differene between Theravada and Mahayana buddhism?
I would like to point out that the first poster’s answer (babyrobotshark) may cause some misunderstandings or misconceptions. First, the term “hinayana” originated from the Mahayana Buddhists who used it as a derogatory term meaning ‘lesser vehicle’ when referring to Theravada or their older closely related sects. Some Mahayana Buddhists still use it in this sense in this age as well. If I were you I would never use the term “hinayana”. The poster also says that the Theravada insisted that only men could become ordained monks and get enlightened. This is untrue, since the Buddha himself allowed women to become ordained (although he was unwilling at first) on the premise that women can also attain enlightenment. The Theravada believes that one can attain enlightenment in this life through practices such as vipassana (insight meditation).Their main goal is to become an “arahant” or worthy one,a person who has escaped the cycle of samsara and put an end to fundamental suffering by seeing
