Theravada vs Mahayana vs Vajrayana

Last Updated: May 05, 2025

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In Buddhism, Buddha’s teachings were followed by 3 different schools adhering to different vehicles. They are Theravada, Mahayana and Vajrayana.

Today we will explore what are the major differences, common grounds, major values, core beliefs, geographical distribution and rest of the details about these 3 vehicles of Buddhism.

Theravada

Theravada which is also known as Teaching of Elders fundamentally follows the path of renunciation.

In this vehicle of Buddhism, there are 4 stages of enlightenments.

a) Stream Enterer ( Satopanna)

This stage means entering the stream which is Noble Eightfold path.

b) One Time enterer ( Sakritagaami)

This is the stage in which someone will be reborn as human only one more time before attaining enlightenment.

c) Never Returner ( Anagami)

Those who will never be born again in the human or lower realm but will be in a higher heavenly realm with full enlightenment is called Anagami.

d) Arhat

Arhat is the one who has completely eliminated all ten fetters and has attained full awakening.

Theravada focuses on individual enlightenment. Teachings of Buddha as in the Pali Canon is followed in this path of Buddhism. Thervada is mainly practiced in Sri Lanka, Thailand, Myanmar and Cambodia.

Mahayana

Another yana or vehicle of Buddhism which is also regarded as Greater Vehicle or path of Antidote is Mahayana.

Mahayana focuses on six perfections or paramitas, which are foundations of this Buddhist school.

1. Data Paramita (Perfection of Generosity)
2. Sheel Paramita ( Perfection of Discipline)
3. Kshanti Paramita (Perfection of Tolerance)
4. Virya Paramita (Perfection of Courage)
5. Dhayan Paramita (Perfection of Meditation)
6. Pragya Paramita (Perfection of Wisdom)

This vehicle focuses on path to become Buddha. It accepts Mahayana Sutra as scriptures.

Loving-kindness, compassion and meditation are some major practices of Mahayana.

Mahayana is followed largely in China, Japan, Korea and Vietnam.

Vajrayana

Also called Thunderbolt or Diamond vehicle, Vajrayana is patho of transformation. Vajrayana is a subset of Mahayana. The traditions developed in Vajrayana are beyond Pali Canon.

Vajrayan is widely followed in Nepal, Tibet, Bhutan, Mongolia and India.

How 3 Vehicles Relate?

Here is the breakdown of the relation between these 3 vehicles of Buddhism:

i) All 3 vehicles share the core teachings of Buddha, Dharma and Sangha.

ii) Theravada is often seen as a more monastic and renunciative path.

iii) Mahayana expands the focus to universal compassion and broader range of scriptures.

iv) Vajrayana is built upon Mahayana but adds esoteric and tantric methods for rapid enlightenment.

Common Ground of 3 Vehicles

1. Non self, impermanence, dependent origination
2. Absence of greater good
3. Law of Karma
4. 4 Noble truth

Analogy

To make it simple and help you understand these 3 vehicles easily, here I would give you an example with a hypothetical situation.

Imagine a monk walking in the forest finds out there is a hungry tiger nearby. In this situation monk can make 3 approaches:

Approach 1:

If the monk decides to not even walk in the direction of tiger to avoid the possible conflicts and sufferings, he is practicing Theravada.

Approach 2:

If the monk decides to build a cage or protection space and meditates inside it so that he can not be attacked by tiger, then he is practicing Mahayana.

Approach 3:

If the monk decides to face the tiger and induce kindness and compassion in tiger, then he is practicing Vajrayana.