Is is strongest in SriLiEka, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos and Cambodia. It is sometimes called southern Buddhism. It emphasizes on the monks (Bhikkhus) to be the only ones capable of attaining Arahant or aspire to achieve Nibbana Meditation and concentration are essential elements of the way to the enlightenment. Theravada Buddhism is neither pessimistic (negative sense) nor optimistic (positive sense). It takes a realistic view of life and of the world.
Mahayana Buddhism (The Great Vehicle)
It is strongest in Tibet, China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea and Mongolia. Mahayana encourages both the lay devotes as well as the monks (Bhikkhus) and nuns(Bhikkhuni%to became Bodhisattas or rebirth in the pure land (heaven). Mahayana Buddhism says that there are three aspects of Buddhahood, describing Buddha as having three bodies of Buddha (Trikaya) they are as follows;
- Dharmakaya. Buddha is transcendent he is the same thing as the ultimate truth.
- Sambhogakaya. Buddha's body of bliss and
- Nirmanakaya. Buddha's earthly bodyjust like any other human being's body.