Religion of Mahayana Differed from Original Buddhism the Philosophy
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Both the Terevada Buddhism and Mahayana Buddhism originated in the same location and by the teaching of Siddhartha Gautama. Siddhartha Gautama was a man who did not believe in the rituals of Hindu. Once enlightened Siddhartha began a new philosophical movement known as Buddhism. Buddhism eventually died out in India, but before that two branches of Buddhism emerged. One of those branches was known as “The Way of the Elders” also called Terevada and the other was Mahayana.
Terevada was spread through Ceylon, Burma and Thailand. In Terevada only the historical Gautama Buddha and past Buddhas are accepted as the religious figures. The main emphasis is self-liberation with total reliance on oneself to eradicate all defilements. The Terevada has some rituals but are not as heavily emphasized as in Mahayana schools. With very little research and knowledge on the process of dying and death. It is said that usually the dying person is advised to meditate on impermanence, suffering and emptiness.
The other form of Buddhism that developed was Mahayana. Mahayana started as a philosophical belief and developed into a religion. This form of Buddhism was spread through Korea, China and Japan. Besides Sakyamui Buddha, Amitabha and Medicine Buddha were of the contemporary variety that was also popular. Besides self-liberation it is important for Mahayana followers to help other sentient beings. There is much more emphasis on the use of rituals in the Mahayana religion. There are many inner and external signs manifested by people before they die. There is heavy stress in doing transference of merit practices in the immediate few weeks fallowing death to assist in the deceaseds next rebirth.