Different Schools of Buddhism - Theravada, Mahayana, Amitabha

Ashin Sarana explains the differences in the various schools of Buddhism and tries to share his knowledge and understanding of their history and main distinguishing characteristics. It is hard to describe a religious or philosophical school in a few words and even harder to do so for an outsider.

Filmed in Thabarwa Yeikthar, Thanlyin, Myanmar, on 6th of March, 2020, by Sakhangyi Tawya workers. Subtitles prepared by Ko Aung Thu Lin, filming equipment donated by Sayalay Ayukalyani.

May all beings be happy and healthy! 🌞

[ditty]

I always appreciate your teachings Bhante. Your knowledge in these matters are priceless. I never studied Mahayana so I couldn't answer any questions related to those teachings I just noticed how confused the questions were in themselves. I find it sad that the Buddha's teachings are so misrepresented by a major Buddhist school and Theravada is unfortunately taken under the same umbrella.

[mariaaleksandrovna]

Mind can reason as much as it like but how can we grasp the essence with the mind? (which is beyond of it). Sometimes we can put a person into deep doubt when he\she hears that his\her Path isn’t true. The doubt on Path is not very good. I understand You are representative of one of Schools and You have to explain the essence of the teachings of your School to followers, so that they develop clarity, stability, to remove doubts, and to create an intention to seriously follow the Path. That is good and right. Nevertheless, when Schools of Buddhism criticize each other’s views, it is not good. People prefer “to splash in the waves of ocean” but not to go deep, into the essence. Methods can be different. Methods are given according to a person’s ability. In addition, someone may have a certain karmic connection with one School and not have enough connection with another. Buddhism is like one big family. We are all different. Therefore, views may differ. As long as people have pride, they will consider their School better than others. Sometimes we tend to mix pride with the meaning of Teaching. However, this is not a deep perception. We must not allow quarrels in the same Family. Otherwise, the whole Family will lose Its strength. Strife among the Schools of Buddhism is very similar to the activity of our mind. The mind also thinks a lot, argues, proves something, and so on. I amn’t criticizing You. You do what you have to do within your position and your School. It’s good. I’m not talking about this video I’m talking about the situation in general. Everything is just words, sounds, images. Where? There is in my mind. Nowhere else. So why argue? The outer shell of Path can be different. But by following the Path, the essence can be found. It seems to me all the Paths of Buddhism lead to enlightenment. Only our mind thinks and doubts.

[anitanandedkar]

Sadhu Sadhu Sadhu 💐Most Venerable Ashin. Much awaited Dhamma discourse 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼💐🙇‍♀️🙇‍♀️🙇‍♀️

[Ariya_p]

Nalanda is world's 1 st University ... Chinese monks also visited and we have their writing... And archeological evidences are also there in the india

[Mdaelder]

If I may point a possible error in the subtitles: I think it should have been "deceased relatives" at 8:55 and 11:07

[harshiw]

Thank you bhante for the Dhamma discourse 🙏🙏🙏

[jakubysek]

There are Amitabhā Sūtras in which Shākyamumi Buddha teaches us that we can practice Amitābha Buddha name recitation to be reborn in Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. So Pure Land schools aren't based on Suttas from Pāli Canon but on Amitābha Sūtras and other Mahāyāna Sūtras which all were spoken by Buddha Gautama.

[SK-xyxr]

Sadhu Sadhu Sadhu for Bhante sharing !

[scottsews]

Thanks for a wonderful talk on the dhamma :)

[haromaster]

I find both theravade and mahayana beautiful

[JinaPiyaThera]

So good points take out base on Buddhism

[jacobl]

I don’t have an issue with any school tbh. I appreciate them all

[foofungloong]

If one recites loads of Amitabha name, some how one negative karma are being removed slowly and gain some basic insight into dharma or even at certain basics of Paramatta .

[Budismo]

Thank you very much i like your ways of explanation!
i think that nalanda school of mahayana its not bad but not good also(its confusing). I like their style of chanting but I think the school of buddhism base on the ghost practice only it could be wrong as you said why can the buddha share the merit with me, directly?