History of Buddhism: Theravada & Mahayana

 Introduction

Buddha
Artist Unknown
15th Century, Ming Dynasty
Smithsonian Institution

            In this post, I will be looking at two chapters from Awakening: An Introduction to the History of Eastern Thought that focus on both the history and practices of Buddhism. This textbook, written by Patrick S. Bresnan, is meant to engage students with the deeply rich history, practices, religions, and cultures of multiple countries in the East. The text mainly focuses on India, China, and Japan, while simultaneously attempting to examine the relationship between Eastern and Western traditions.

Chapters 11 and 12 of the textbook cover the Theravada and Mahayana traditions within Buddhism, with chapter 11 focusing on Theravada and chapter 12 focusing on Mahayana. “As mentioned earlier, the history of Buddhism is broadly divided between two great traditions, Theravada (also known as Hinayana) and Mahayana. Over time, Mahayana would become the larger and historically more influential movement”(Bresnan 243). This post will discuss two questions from the textbook, one from the end of each chapter, in order to reach a better understanding of the certain aspects of Buddhism’s plentiful history. 

Theravada Buddhism

Question #1: What does it mean to say that in the centuries following Buddha’s death, there was no Buddhism?

Following the death of Buddha, the leaders of the Theravada movement would come together in order to hold the first council of Buddhism. Buddhism has been held together largely by these councils, as the teachings of Buddha’s lessons had reached a diverse group of people spread all over Northern India. These councils had shown that the traditions of Buddhism were growing despite struggles, and continued to spread to more people would were to become devout followers of Buddhism’s many teachings.

Despite the continuation of Buddha’s teachings prompted by these councils. The term “Buddhism” implies that the followers of Buddhism had formed behind a defined movement, but this was true. “It would stand beside, and perhaps be in conflict with, other precisely defined movements, such as Jainism or Hinduism. This was surely not the case. The followers of Buddha’s teachings never encountered the concept of Buddhism”(Bresnan 246). So while the teachings of Buddha continued to spread, it would not be accurate to say that “Buddhism” was defined at the time. 

Mahayana Buddhism

Question #2: How did early Mahayanist defend their contention that the Mahayana scriptures were authentic sutras? 

Fasting Buddha Shakyamuni
Artist Unknown
3rd-5th Century
Pakistan
Metropolitan Museum

As the new traditions of Buddhism were to come in the form of Mahayana Buddhism, these practices would receive criticism from the Theravadins. The term “sutra” was used to denote the words of Buddha himself, but with the new traditions of Buddhism came new sutras as well. Theravadins questions how these new teachings could be considered sutras as Buddha had not uttered them himself. The Mahayanists defended these sutras.

 “The Mahayanists responded to attacks on the veracity of their sutras by arguing that Prajnaparamita and other sutras were not new at all. They had been passed from directly from Buddha to some specially chosen disciples”(Bresnan 265). The Mahayanists claimed that not all of Buddha’s teachings could be shared at the time, and that the world was simply not ready for them. These sutras were said to be just as legitimate as the ones known to the Theravadins by the Mahayanists. 

Conclusion

Buddhism has a rich, interesting history that anyone can learn something from. It’s history far eclipses what could be contained in a single blog post and is something I would recommend to anyone with the slightest bit of interest in the school of thought.

Below is a YouTube video titled "History of Theravada Buddhism: Very Old and Very New" by Doug's Dharma, offering a more in-depth history of Theravada Buddhism that is easily digestible.

Work Cited

Bresnan, Patrick S. AWAKENING : An Introduction to the History of Eastern Thought. 

S.L., Routledge, 2021.

“History of Theravada Buddhism: Very Old and Very New.” 

Www.youtube.com, www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0B1xqTjt50. Accessed 23 

Oct. 2021.

“Buddha.” Smithsonian Institution, www.si.edu/object/buddha:fsg_S2012.9.4474. 

Accessed 21 Oct. 2021.

Metmuseum.org, 2020, www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/38119.

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