Q2m3-Group 3
Q2m3-Group 3
Q2m3-Group 3
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Introduction to World
Religions and Belief Systems
Quarter 2 – Module 11:
Comparative Analysis of Mahayana and
Theravada Buddhism
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Introduction to
World Religions
and Belief
Systems
Quarter 2 – Module 11
Comparative Analysis of
Mahayana and Theravada
Buddhism
Introductory Message
For the facilitator:
This learning resource hopes to engage the learners into guided and
independent learning activities at their own pace and time. Furthermore, this
also aims to help learners acquire the needed 21st century skills while taking
into consideration their needs and circumstances.
In addition to the material in the main text, you will also see this box in the
body of the module:
As a facilitator, you are expected to orient the learners on how to use this
module. You also need to keep track of the learners' progress while allowing
them to manage their own learning. Furthermore, you are expected to
encourage and assist the learners as they do the tasks included in the module.
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This module was designed to provide you with fun and meaningful
opportunities for guided and independent learning at your own pace and time.
You will be enabled to process the contents of the learning resource while
being an active learner.
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1. Use the module with care. Do not put unnecessary mark/s on any part
of the module. Use a separate sheet of paper in answering the exercises.
2. Don’t forget to answer What I Know before moving on to the other
activities included in the module.
3. Read the instruction carefully before doing each task.
4. Observe honesty and integrity in doing the tasks and checking your
answers.
5. Finish the task at hand before proceeding to the next.
6. Return this module to your teacher/facilitator once you are through
with it.
If you encounter any difficulty in answering the tasks in this module, do
not hesitate to consult your teacher or facilitator. Always bear in mind that
you are not alone.
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What I Know
3. The two major schools of Buddhism, the Theravada and Mahayana sects,
follow the <Four Noble Truths= and the <Noble Eightfold Path.=
6. Arhat or a <worthy person= in Mahayana sect, delay their own fulfillment for
them to benevolently aid other beings to reach their ultimate end.
9. A Buddhist’s destiny is the direct result of natural law or dharma and one’s
accumulated deeds or karma.
10. Women in Buddhism have enjoyed considerable freedom in their religious life
compared to their Hindus counterpart.
What’s In
What’s New
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/
The name "Manjushri" (also spelled Manjusri) means "He Who Is Noble and
Gentle." This bodhisattva represents insight and awareness. Manjushri sees into the
essence of all phenomena and perceives their nondual nature. He clearly realizes the
boundless nature of self.
3. Kshitigarbha, Savior of Beings in Hell
What is It
The word dharma comes from the ancient religions of India and is found in
Hindu and Jain teachings, as well as Buddhist. Its original meaning is something like
"natural law." Its root word, dham, means "to uphold" or "to support." In this broad
sense, common to many religious traditions, dharma is that which upholds the natural
order of the universe. This meaning is also part of the Buddhist understanding.
In addition, dharma supports the practice of those who are in harmony with it.
On this level, dharma refers to ethical conduct and righteousness. In some Hindu
traditions, dharma is used to mean "sacred duty." For more on the Hindu perspective
of the word dharma, see " What is Dharma?" by Subhamoy Das.
Dhamma is the nature of what-is; the truth of what the Buddha taught. In
Theravada Buddhism, as in the quote above, it is sometimes used to indicate all the
factors of existence.
Thanissaro Bhikkhu wrote that "Dhamma, on the external level, refers to the
path of practice the Buddha taught to his followers" This Dhamma has three levels of
meaning: the words of the Buddha, the practice of his teaching, and the attainment of
enlightenment. So, Dhamma is not just doctrines--it is teaching plus practice plus
enlightenment.
Mahayana Buddhism generally uses the word dharma to refer to both the
teachings of the Buddha and the realization of enlightenment. More often than not,
use of the word incorporates both meanings at once. Mahayana texts sometimes use
the word dharma to mean something like "manifestation of reality.=
To speak of someone's understanding of dharma is not to comment on how
well that person can recite Buddhist doctrines but on his state of realization. In the Zen
tradition, for example, to present or expound upon the dharma usually refers to
presenting some aspect of the true nature of reality.
There are more than 370 million Buddhists around the world that represent
about 6% of the entire population. Quite interestingly, while Buddhism began in India,
it almost died out as a living religion in its place of origin. Majority of its followers can
be found in China Japan, Korea, and Indochina Peninsula. The major sects of
Buddhism include Theravada and Mahayana schools of thought.
Let us now explore the different aspects where these two schools are alike and
different from each other.
CONCEPT MAP
View on
Origin Morality Purpose Destiny Women
ORIGIN
Buddhism traces its origins in northern India around the sixth century B.C.E. as
another interpretation of the Hindu belief. This religion is closely linked to its founder
Siddhartha Gautama who is also referred to as the Buddha or the <Enlightened One.=
A son of a Kshatriya chief, the once affluent Siddhartha abandoned the comfort of his
palace and family as he set to discover the remedy to universal suffering he observed
in this world. After long periods of abstinence and meditation, he finally reached
enlightenment (nirvana) and became known as the <Buddha= or the <enlightened one.=
He preached mainly in the eastern part of the Indian subcontinent such as in Magadha
and Kosala. About 500 years after Buddha’s enlightenment, a schism within the
Buddhist religion resulted in the emergence of two major branches around the first
century C.E, namely, the Theravada and Mahayana schools of tradition. Both schools
owe their fundamental teachings to the Buddha whose life has become an inspiration
to millions of followers all over the world.
Around the third century B.C.E., Buddhism reached neighboring Asian
countries as a result of the missionary zeal of Indian rulers. A different outlook to
salvation attracted many Asian people to embrace the tenets of Buddhism as it
reached China, India, Korea, and Indochina Peninsula. However, while Buddhism was
successfully converting people in faraway places, Buddhist fervor gradually waned in
native India as a result of resurging Hinduism. The resurgence in Hinduism is due to
how Hinduism absorbed the rising challenge of other new religions as it incorporated
their elements into the Hindu belief.
MORALITY
While Siddhartha Gautama embraced the general framework of Indian ideas,
he radically altered many of them. Similarly, the cycle of rebirth persists in Buddhism
and succeeding lives may be affected by the moral laws of cause and effect or karma.
Until one has achieved enlightenment, one’s deed in the present lifetime will affect the
course of future rebirths. Buddhist moral thoughts and actions are principally guided
by the <Four Noble Truths= formulated by the Buddha, along with the basic guide called
the <Eightfold Paths= that are divided into three categories, namely, right view, right
conduct, and right practice. Unhappiness of life (dukkha) is principally caused by
people’s unending desires. People are advised to scrutinize their motivations and
ponder upon the outcome of their actions keeping in mind Buddha’s teachings.
Anything harmful to others, in deed and in thought, must always be avoided. The two
major schools of Buddhism, the Theravada and Mahayana sects, follow the <Four
Noble Truths= and the <Noble Eightfold Path.=
PURPOSE
In Buddhism, the principal purpose of one’s life is to terminate all forms of
suffering caused by attachment to impermanent entities, such as material things,
friends, and health. All these do not offer enduring happiness but sorrow. When one
recognizes the impermanence of all these things, an individual begins to free one’s
self from attachment thereby reducing suffering and ending the cycle of rebirth.
Buddha’s teachings on the <Four Noble Truths= and the <Noble Eightfold Path= form
the basic tenets of all Buddhist sects.
In Theravada Buddhism, the monastic way of life ensures the path toward
enlightenment. For the Buddhist laity, they must first be reborn as monks for them to
be eligible for enlightenment. As members of the laity perform good deeds, positive
karma may bring forth a pleasant condition in the next life.
In contrast, Mahayana Buddhism offers enlightenment to anyone, not only for
the members of the monastic order, but also for those with families and secular
careers. Moreover, the Mahayana branch of Buddhism attracts followers because it
offers a faster route to enlightenment than the Theravada sect.
DESTINY
attained this position is called an arhat or a <worthy person= who must be emulated by
Theravada Buddhists. Adherents can reach an enlightened status through their own
ways without any assistance from any divine beings, such as gods or goddesses. With
the help of Buddha’s teachings, the journey toward nirvana becomes possible.
Meanwhile, the Mahayana sect devotes much attention to the bodhisattvas or
<enlightened beings= who delay their own enlightenment for them to benevolently aid
other beings to reach their ultimate end. All beings can follow the path of the
bodhisattvas which is the ideal way for all Buddhists to live. Well-known in the
Mahayana sect are Avalokitesvara, Manjusri, Ksitigarbha, and Samantabhadra. The
Theravada sect only accepts Maitreya as bodhisattva.
VIEWS ON WOMEN
What’s More
Instruction: Copy the table below in your notebook. Afterwards, compare and contrast
Theravada Buddhism and Mahayana Buddhism on the different aspects given.
Purpose
Destiny
Views on Women
What I Can Do
Draw the Venn Diagram below in your notebook, then, compare and contrast
the concept of dharma in Mahayana and Theravada Buddhism.
Concept of Dharma
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Assessment
Directions: Write T if the statement is TRUE, and F if it is FALSE. Write your answers
in your activity notebook.
3. The two major schools of Buddhism, the Theravada and Mahayana sects,
follow the <Four Noble Truths= and the <Noble Eightfold Path.=
6. Arhat or a <worthy person= in Mahayana sect, delay their own fulfillment for
them to benevolently aid other beings to reach their ultimate end.
9. A Buddhist’s destiny is the direct result of natural law or dharma and one’s
accumulated deeds or karma.
10. Women in Buddhism have enjoyed considerable freedom in their religious life
compared to their Hindus counterpart.
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Additional Activities
Words of Wisdom
A Proverb is a short saying containing some piece of truth or advice. Here are
some common English Proverbs that you may know:
An apple a day keeps the doctor away.
Good things come to those who wait.
A man is known by the company he keeps.
Can you explain their meaning?
The following excerpts can be looked at like proverbs from the Buddhist religion.
They contain commonly known truths in this culture and are words of advice from
Buddha.
<An evil person who harms a virtuous person is like one who raises his head
and spits at heaven. Instead of reaching heaven, the spittle falls back on him. It is
the same with someone who throws dust against the wind.=
<Practice giving. Consider the flame of a single torch. Though hundreds and
thousands of people come to light their own torches from it so that they can cook their
food and ward off darkness, the first torch remains the same.=
<Patience under insult is the greatest strength, because people who are
patient do not harbor hatred.=
Based on what you’ve learned about the two major Buddhist sects, write
your own proverb. Your proverb will be graded according to the rubric found
below.
CRITERIA DESCRIPTION POINTS POINTS
OBTAINED
Organization The proverb was clearly and creatively 5
conveyed.
Content The composed proverb contained some 5
piece of truth or advice.
TOTAL: 10
Adapted from: https://college.holycross.edu/projects/himalayan_cultures/2011_plans/lemeans/pdf/WordsofWisdom.pdf
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WHAT I CAN DO
References
BOOK
Jose, Mary Dorothy dL. and Jerome Ong. Introduction to World Religions and
Belief Systems Textbook. Quezon City: Vibal Group Inc., Haus of Serah Printing
and Trading Corp, 2016.
INTERNET SOURCES/PICTURES
TEACHERS GUIDE
Most Essential Learning Competencies
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