Question about Theravada tradition

[Wesley1982]

How did Theravada tradition become distinct from Mahayana & Vajrayana tradtions? . .thanks

[Khalil Bodhi]

This is a pretty sticky topic but it may be more accurate to turn the question on its head and ask how the Mahayana and Vajrayana become distinct traditions largely without reference to the Pali Canon. Let the controversy begin anew...

[Alex123]

How did Theravada tradition become distinct from Mahayana & Vajrayana tradtions? . .thanks

Didn't Mahayana and Vajrayana develop AFTER Theravada?

[Wesley1982]

I didn't think it was a hot topic. Theravada must be regionally Indian where Gautama Buddha lived and died - Mahayana and Vajrayana must have been "introduced" to Tibet, parts of Asia, and China.

[Wesley1982]

How did Theravada tradition become distinct from Mahayana & Vajrayana tradtions? . .thanks

Didn't Mahayana and Vajrayana develop AFTER Theravada?

Yes, I think so. Or maybe parallel along the same time <?>

[Maitri]

How did Theravada tradition become distinct from Mahayana & Vajrayana tradtions? . .thanks

Didn't Mahayana and Vajrayana develop AFTER Theravada?

That depends on who you ask. For example in the T'ien T'ai (Tendai) chronological categories, the Avatamsaka Sutra was taught first right after the Buddha achieved Enlightenment. Modern scholarship will disagree with this.

Theravada states that the first teachings was the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta. So I guess it's important to ask from which view are you investigating this question.

[SDC]

How did Theravada tradition become distinct from Mahayana & Vajrayana tradtions? . .thanks

Because people interpret things differently and can't come to an agreement.

[Wesley1982]

Of course, Theravada tradition can be looked up on Wikipedia but its better to discuss it.

[SDC]

Of course, Theravada tradition can be looked up on Wikipedia but its better to discuss it.

Since this topic can be exhausting, has been discussed many times before, and you are a new member, it may help if you give a few reasons why you want to have this discussion. Just an idea.

[Wesley1982]

Of course, Theravada tradition can be looked up on Wikipedia but its better to discuss it.

Since this topic can be exhausting, has been discussed many times before, and you are a new member, it may help if you give a few reasons why you want to have this discussion. Just an idea.

I spent some time over at the other Dharma Wheel forum before coming here. Did not know this would be a hot topic

[tiltbillings]

It is not a hot topic. It is now in the "Open Dhamma" section.

[SDC]

Did not know this would be a hot topic

Definitely not hot, just very broad.

EDIT - Sorry for coming off like a cynical pr*#k.

[polarbuddha101]

When did followers of the Dhamma-Vinaya start calling themselves Theravadins?

[retrofuturist]

Greetings,

When did followers of the Dhamma-Vinaya start calling themselves Theravadins?

Presumably when they felt the need to differentiate themselves from those who didn't?

Metta,
Retro.

[SDC]

When did followers of the Dhamma-Vinaya start calling themselves Theravadins?

Probably when they realized that by just calling themselves "Buddhist" meant that they believed in everything that was classified as Buddhism; of which there was a great deal that they did not agree with.

EDIT - Retro beat me.

[hanzze_]

When did followers of the Dhamma-Vinaya start calling themselves Theravadins?

Maybe because they just grow old.

...they had no problem when youngsters called them like that (let the elders...) and some days later they called themselves like that, with a kind of self-humor. With right view, critic can become a honor as well, but honor also leads easy back to pride. A turning wheel.

[cooran]

Hello Wesley,

These two articles may contain what you are looking for:

Theravada Buddhism: A Chronology
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/history.html

What is Theravada Buddhism? by Dr. V. A. Gunasekara
http://www.urbandharma.org/udharma3/theravada.html

with metta
Chris

[greggorious]

Anyone know what the very first Mahayana schools were called? Tibetan Buddhism came quite a bit after the mahayana sutra's were written, Zen had many different forms quite a bit fater the sutra's were written too.

[Ñāṇa]

Anyone know what the very first Mahayana schools were called?

The Mahāyāna is a vehicle (yāna) encompassing many historical developments. The two Indian Mahāyāna commentarial traditions are the Madhyamaka and the Yogācāra.

[Wesley1982]

When did followers of the Dhamma-Vinaya start calling themselves Theravadins?

Hmm, I think Theravada Buddhists are traditionally Indian. As pertaining to their local custom.