Before we compare and contrast these two different sects of the same religion, we probably need to define the why first. There appears to quite a few different splinters of Buddhism, however they seem to all have the same goal, just a different way of achieving that goal. Why? I believe it all comes down to interpretation. Since Guatama Buddha did not have any written record of his teachings and the first documented record of his teachings didn't appear until almost 150 years after his death, this leaves the door wide open for interpretation. I remember doing a game in grammar school when the teacher would line everyone up, tell the first person in the line a secret and then have them pass it on to next person in the line and so on. By the time the secret reached the last person, and was asked to reveal the secret, it was never the same as the original. I would deduce this to each child's interpretation of the secret being told f

This shows the basic necessity of attaining enlightenment (not just understanding it to teach others (Theravada)), but achieve it, remain in it, and doing it in one lifetime. These differences, while limited in the broad spectrum of differences, are closely defined to root elements that dictate the vessel itself.

rom his/her perspective and a possibly some forgetfulness. In some cases the core content would be totally lost.

I would like to first identify the similarities between these two sects, as this is probably simplest part. First and foremost these two religions are Buddhism and they both have as their common goal, enlightenment. They both utilize the same ideology of being vessels that take one across the great river of life to the ultimate, Nirvana. It is the here where I believe the basic similarity end.

Some common words found in the essay are:
Guatama Buddha, Buddhism Tibetans, Tibetan Buddhism, Theravada Buddhist, Hinduism Tantra, Theravada Vajrayana, Theravada Buddhism, Hinayana Buddhism, Buddhism Tantric, Buddhism Sects, tibetan buddhism, person line secret, person line, towards enlightenment, purest form, record teachings, line secret, focusing energies, it's core, differences hinayana,
Approximate Word count = 691
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)