RELIGION & BELIEF339Theravada vs Mahayana
Theravada Buddhism (also followed in Cambodia, Laos, Sri Lanka and
Thailand) diff ers from Hinduism, Judaism, Islam and Christianity in that
it is not centred around a god or gods, but rather a psycho-philosophical
system. Today it covers a wide range of interpretations of the basic be-
liefs, which all start from the enlightenment of Siddhartha Gautama, a
prince-turned-ascetic and referred to as the Buddha, in northern India
around 2500 years ago.
In the Theravada school, it’s believed that the individual strives to
achieve nibbanaa (nirvana), rather than waiting for all humankind be-
ing ready for salvation as in the Mahayana (Large Vehicle) school. The
Mahayana school does not reject the other school, but claims it has ex-
tended it. The Theravadins see Mahayana as a misinterpretation of the
Buddha’s original teachings. Of the two, the Theravada is more austere
and ascetic and, some might say, harder to practise.
Buddhist Tenets
Buddha taught that the world is primarily characterised by dukkhaa (suf-
fering), aniccaa (impermanence) and anattaa (insubstantiality), and that
even our happiest moments in life are only temporary, empty and un-
satisfactory.
The ultrapragmatic Buddhist perception of cause and eff ect – kamma
in Pali, karmaa in Sanskrit,kann in Burmese – holds that birth inevitably
leads to sickness, old age and death, hence every life is insecure and
subject to dukkha. Through rebirth, the cycle of thanthayaa (samsara
in Pali) repeats itself endlessly as long as ignorance and craving remain.
Only by reaching a state of complete wisdom and nondesire can one
attain true happiness. To achieve wisdom and eliminate craving, one
must turn inward and master one’s own mind through meditation, most
commonly known in Myanmar asbhavanaa or kammahtan.
Devout Buddhists in Myanmar adhere to fi ve lay precepts, or moral
rules (thilaain Burmese,silaa in Pali), which require abstinence from kill-
ing, stealing, unchastity (usually interpreted among laypeople as adul-
tery), lying and intoxicating substances.
In spite of Buddhism’s profound truths, the most common Myanmar
approach is to try for a better future life by feeding monks, donating
to temples and performing regular worship at the local paya (Buddhist
monument) – these activities are commonly known as ‘merit making’.
For the average person everything revolves around the merit (kutho,
from the Palikusala, meaning ‘wholesome’), one is able to accumulate
through such deeds.
During the U Nu
period, Buddhism
functioned as a
state religion, as
embodied in such
catchphrases as
‘the Socialist Way
to Nibbana’.BUDDHA’S HAND SIGNSAt temples and shrines, look out for the following hand signs of buddha images, each
has a diff erent meaning:
» Abhaya Both hands have palms out, symbolising protection from fear.
» Bhumispara The right hand touches the ground, symbolising when Buddha sat
beneath a banyan tree until he gained enlightenment.
» Dana One or both hands with palms up, symbolising the offering of dhamma
(Buddhist teachings) to the world.
» Dhyana Both hands rest palm-up on the buddha’s lap, signifying meditation.
» Vitarka or Dhammachakka Thumb and forefinger of one hand forms a circle
with other fingers (somewhat like an ‘OK’ gesture), symbolising the first public
discourse on Buddhist doctrine.The monkhood,
numbering
around 400,000
and collectively
known as the
Sangha, is seen
as the nation’s
only real civil
institution.