What is the basic difference between the various types of buddhism?

Answer 1

A few hundred years after the Buddha's passing away,there arose 18 different schools,all of which claimed to represent the original Teachings of the Buddha.The differences between these schools were basically due to various interpretations of the teachings of the Buddha.
Today,the majority of the followers of Buddhism are Theravada and Mahayana.Mahayana Buddhism grew out of the teaching that each individual carries within himself the potential for Buddhahood.Theravadians say that this potential can be realised through individual effort.Mahayanists,on the other hand,believe that they can seek salvation through the intervention of superior beings called Bodhisatvas.
Hope this help.

Answer 2

Mahayana Buddhism tends to focus on Buddha as a divine or semi-divine being, and the potential for all creatures to achieve the same status. Mahayana is primarily geographically located in India and Pakistan. This branch also includes Zen Buddhism.

Theravada Buddhism Is the branch that has taken more root in the West. They consider the Buddha as a mortal, although a revered one. Theravadans believe Nirvana (Nibbana) is achievable within a single lifetime, and the individual is responsible for discovering the truth through practice and experience, along with study with other wise individuals and Buddhist writings.

Answer 3

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

Basically there is few types of buddhism

Teravada
Mahayana
Varjayana (also known as Tantra wheel and Diamond wheel)

Teravada (known as the small vehicle)
-most unique features, the monks are not allowed to beg for food after 11 a.m as they are not allowed to eat after 11 a.m everyday
-The practitioner will practice to walk to buddha path in order to get enlightened in a few lifetime but the main focus is to enlightened oneself
-Teravada is very popular in countries like thailand, Burma and Vietnam

Mahayana (known as the big vehicle)
-Practitiner practive to ger enlightenment for the benifits of al sentient beings
-Mahayana practitioner chant sutra (1 sutra will take like 30 munites)
-More popular in countries like Hong Kong, Malaysia (where there is chinese)

Varjayana (known as the Diamond Way or Trantric)
-Originated from Tibet
-Practice is similliar to Mahayana
-They have extra, Tantric Practice but using ritual items like varja and bell and damarul (i'm doing a page to write about the ritual items for varjayana and updating it everyday)
-Varjayana practitioner practice Guru Devotion that promises enlightenment in 1 lifetime
-The Buddha and Dieties are more warthful because Tibetan Buddhism starts from Tibet and Mongolia and the Dieties is more warthful to control the warthful people of this two place
-Most easy way to see a Tibetan Buddhist is during prostration, they will lie on the floor which means surrender one self to the dharma

There is too much information to share with you, maybe you can visit my blog which I update every 2 days to check on tibetan budhism:

http://www.tsondruegyatso.blogspot.com/... (my own blog)
http://www.tibetan-rituals.blogspot.com/... (On the Varjayana's Ritual Items)
http://www.buddha-stories.blogspot.com/... (Stories on Buddhism)
http://www.yellow-dzambala.blogspot.com/... (The most popular buddha which is well known among Varjayana Buddhist)

I am more than happy if you can save my blog on your favourite list, check it more often, I'm still updating the blog everyday

Answer 4

there are many ways to be confused.