Theravada - Mahayana Comparison
| Theravada | Mahayana | |||
| Ideal achievement | Arhat | Bodhisattva | ||
| emphasis on | monk / sangha | lay-person | ||
| reliance | self-reliance
Gautama Buddha: "Be lamps unto yourselves" |
grace, higher power of Bodhisattva | ||
| virtue | knowledge (bodhi) | compassion (karuna) | ||
| aimed at progress of: | individual | all sentient beings | ||
| access to "salvation" | narrow vehicle ("Hinayana") | greater vehicle (Mahayana) | ||
| Buddha was | saint / sage | savior / metaphysical being
Trikaya doctrine | ||
| Buddha is | extraordinary human being | Nirmana
earthly |
Sambhoga
heavenly |
Dharma
teaching |
| ultimate reality | nirvana is different from samsara | nirvana = samsara | ||