The Olmecs: Land vs. Architecture

    While studying the Olmec people, the earliest known Mesoamerican civilization, we come to find out how little we know about this ancient civilization. In the video entitled Lost Kingdoms of Central America and the article entitled "La Venta" from Archaeology of Ancient Mexico and Central America: An Encyclopedia, by Rebecca Gonzalez Lauck, we see how both of these give us information about the Olmecs, one focusing on their environment and the other focusing on the architecture of La Venta, an ancient settlement and now an archaeological site. The video goes into detail about how the Olmecs survived in the environment they did and how they believed in and worshipped supernatural beings. While the video summarizes a little bit about everything of the Olmec people, the article merely focuses on the findings of La Venta. Lauck states, “One of the most remarkable offerings excavated in this precinct consisted of a group of sixteen figurines and reworked votive celts, carved in jade, serpentine, and sandstone” (Gonzalez Lauck 800). We see that the article talks about offerings that were found at the site. It focuses on what has been excavated at the archeological site and doesn’t mention the environment around it. Whereas the video states, “...these wooden representations of the Olmec weren’t for public display. Instead, they were deliberately thrown into the waters of a bog” (Lost 23:06-23:16). As the narrator goes on to show us wooden carved figurines, he tells us that they were thrown into the bog, the environment around them, as it then states, “They were cast in as an offering to the spirit world” (Lost 23:22-23:26). If we want more information on who the Olmecs were, we would go to the video. But, if we wanted information on how they built their settlement, La Venta, we would read the article. 

A King or Chief found at La Venta

    As we focus on the theme of religion between the video and the article, we find that these two sources are similar in stating what the Olmecs believed in, while also differing as one centers on the environment and the other on a settlement. Lauck again talks about what was found as they excavated La Venta as she states, “A third example is a group of six stela-like sculptures distributed along the southern base of the main pyramid. Four of these, carved in low relief, share the theme of representations of supernatural beings… These sculptures constitute one of the earliest examples in ancient Mexico of large-scale ideological communication through the interaction of architecture and sculpture” (Gonzalez Lauck 800). She shows us how the Olmecs made sculptures of the supernatural beings that they believed in. She also lets us know that these sculptures are examples of how the Olmecs communicated with the other world through these sculptures and the architecture of La Venta. While the article again centers on La Venta, the video shows us how the Olmecs created offerings with their environment to communicate with their supernatural beings. It states, “Rubber trees were found in the area where jaguars lived. Jaguars represented fertility and so the area was very important” (Lost 26:08-26:15). Jaguars were sacred to the Olmecs. So, finding rubber trees where jaguars lived, the Olmes believed that rubber was important to the jaguars. Rubber was then molded into a ball to give as an offering to the jaguars, one of the supernatural beings they believed in. We see that the article talks about how the Olmecs communicate through sculptures and architecture, whereas the video shows us how the Olmecs communicate through the environment around them.

A map of the Olmec heartlands

    As we come to a wrap on the video and the article, we see that these both give incredible information on the Olmec, even if they do focus on differing topics. In the article, Lauck tells us how important the excavation of the sculptures is as she states, “Based on the sculptural art, we can propose that the supernatural world played an important role among the ruling sector” (Gonzalez Lauck 800). Because of the sculptures and their showcasing of what the Olmecs thought to be important, we can get a better understanding of these ancient people and how they ruled based on what they believed in. In the lessons before this, I learned how important sculptures were to the Olmecs, as we learn the hard work it took to transfer huge stones of volcanic rock some 50 miles in order to carve a face into it. The video, differing from the article, shows us how important the land around the Olmecs was based on offerings found in the water as it states, “To the Olmec, bodies of water were entranceways to the underworld and to break its surface is to enter into another dimension” (Lost 24:01-24:08). The findings of offering in bogs and bodies of water showcase how large of a role the land around them played. And as we learned about the Olmecs again in earlier lessons, I also know how important water was to them. As they believed it to be a life-giving source. As the article mentions sculptural art, the video mentions the land around the Olmecs. Both on the subject of religion, but each one gives new and interesting information. For more information about the Olmec culture, I suggest watching this video:

Works Cited:

BBC.Lost.kingdoms.of.central.america.1of4 ... - Youtube. www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTuab0SNuPA.

Evans, Susan Toby, and David L. Webster. Archaeology of Ancient Mexico and Central America: an Encyclopedia. Taylor and Francis, 2013.

Photos and Video:

https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/world-history/world-history-beginnings/ancient-americas/a/the-olmec-article

“The Olmec | Ancient Civilizations (Article).” Khan Academy, Khan Academy, www.khanacademy.org/humanities/world-history/world-history-beginnings/ancient-americas/a/the-olmec-article.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTqgksmmAuY 

The Olmecs (Olmec Culture of Ancient Mexico) - Youtube. www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTqgksmmAuY.

Missing 43

    Live on the radio every Sunday evening is the podcast called Latino USA. It aims to offer insights into Latino communities and how political and social ideas impact their lives and the nation. Not being able to attend the live podcast on Sunday, I went and listened to one of their earlier episodes called “After Ayotzinapa: The Missing 43.” It’s air date was January 28th, 2022, while I listened on February 4th, 2022. In Septmeber of 2014, the students of Ayotzinapa University were attacked and fired upon by Mexican police. These violent attacks occured because the students were “borrowing” buses in order to take students from nearby universities to a march in Mexico City that commemorates the 1968 student massacre. Because of them stealing buses, which occurs frequently by students in Mexico because there is not enough funding by the schools to transport them, the Mexican police got involved. But as the police opened fire without hesitation on the students, it was now a day turned into a crime scene. Three students died, and 43 were taken by the police, never to be seen or heard from again. And as we get the story from Omar, a 40-something human rights lawyer, we learn that there are multiple people coming in and trying to uncover what happened to these students, something that the police is unwilling to do. Why were the students taken and never found again? This is what they are currently trying to uncover. The community believes that Mexican officials are the reason why so many people have gone missing over the years, as the uncovering of multiple mass graves are found as volunteers try to look for the students. What happened in September of 2014 was one of the most horrific crimes of Mexico’s modern history (2:19 - 2:23). Even today, parents are trying to get justice for their missing kids, they are trying to find answers to the disappearance of 43 innocent students. 

Protest in April in Mexico City

    In the episode, I really liked how we got to listen to the parents and their struggles of dealing with loss. One mother states how she feels about the government and their involvement by stating that they simply do not care about these missing students (6:23 - 6:26). Succumbed by sadness, she tells us that every night she sleeps in her sons room to ease her loneliless. I believe it will be the parents who finally uncover what happened that day, as they are the ones, early on, who hired lawyers and an independent team of forensic scientists to come in and find their missing children. There isn’t anything that I didn’t like about this episode, only the story and how the Mexican police were able to get away with what they did. What is also unfortunate is that my class theme of religion does not relate to this story, but this episode is too important to ignore, the crimes that were committed on that day should be told again and again in order to find out what happened to those students. I also think it would have been interesting to get n interview with one of the policeman who knew what happened that day. It would be interesting to see if they acted strange or nervous. 

    In the news article “Remains of one of Mexico’s missing Ayotzinapa 43 students identified,” written by Rafael Azul and Don Knowland, published on July 25, 2020, we learn that one of the students remains were uncovered and taken in for a DNA sampling test. These remains belonged to Christian Adolfo Rodriguez Telumbre, which were found at Barranca Carnicería, a ravine in the town of Cocula, Guerrero. It is also stated in this article that the attack on the students in 2014 were not the only ones, as it says, “The Iguala events had not been the first attack on Ayotzinapa students. In May 2013, Guerrero state police assaulted Ayotzinapa students collecting funds for a festival. Twenty-six were arrested and severely beaten” (Remains 1). Among these were other attacks on the students by police. It is a pattern that keeps repeating itself and is destroying the communties around them. 

The Reveal Podcast Artwork

    In this episode of Latino USA, there was only grief and pain, and the realization that Mexico’s police is corrupt. The news article helped give justice to one family, however, as Christian’s parents now know the heartbreaking truth of what happened to their child. As this topic does not intertwine with my theme, I do not regret focusing on this at all. To be a student and know that this has happened in another country is horrific. It shines light on what the people in those communities have to deal with. It shows how the police will do anything to cover up their crimes and relations with gangs. While reading the rest of the article, the attorney gives one last staement on the disappearance of the 43 students. It states, “Vidulfo Rosales, attorney for the parents, insisted that in addition to catching all those responsible for the disappearance of the 43 students, all those who collaborated in hiding the truth must be held accountable” (Remains 1). I couldn’t agree more. Here is more insight into this topic from Youtube:

Works Cited

Azul, Rafael, and Don Knowland. “Remains of One of Mexico's Missing Ayotzinapa 43 Students                     Identified.” World Socialist Web Site, 25 July 2020, www.wsws.org/en/articles/2020/07/25/mexi-                j25.html.

    “Latino USA.” CapRadio, www.capradio.org/news/latino-usa/.

Photos

Ahmed, Azam. “Disappearance of 43 Mexican Students Must Be Investigated Anew.” The New York             Times, The New York Times, 5 June 2018, www.nytimes.com/2018/06/05/world/americas/mexico-43-        missing-students-investigation.html.

Anayansi Diaz-Cortes, Kate Doyle. “After Ayotzinapa Chapter 1: The Missing 43.” Reveal, 4 Feb. 2022,         revealnews.org/podcast/after-ayotzinapa-chapter-1-the-missing-43/.

My Humanities Story

    Starting out this semester taking my first classes for my associates, with three out of the four being humanity courses, I was thrilled. This class especially, out of my other humanity classes, was definitely my favorite. In my first week, I didn’t realize how impactful this class would be. I came into it thinking we were gonna learn the history of Asia, however, it was the fine details, such as art, religion, and the people, which went right over my head. I didn’t have any expectations about this class in the first week. I was just ready to finally start learning about something that actually interested me. My only goal was to receive an A at the end of the semester and looking at my grade right now, I think I can confidently say that this goal accomplished. 

This is a depiction of a Hindu God(blue).

   What I have found to be the most interesting to learn about religion. Since I was younger, I have always been interested in learning about the origins of different religions. It is in this class in which I got to experience just that. I came into this course a little scared, because what if I had learned that religion wasn’t my calling? But it is, this class and its content have shown me that I can learn and teach this material for the rest of my life. I have learned about religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, and more. I have known about these before, as I have a lot of books pertaining to each one, but with the book Awakening by Patrick Bresnan, I was able to learn even more about each religion. 

A book we read in class. 

  In our group project for this class, our theme was religion in which we talked about how it changed and impacted people throughout the centuries. What I liked best about this group project was how well my team and I were able to collaborate with each other in making this a great project filled with great information and vocabulary.  I, having the role of the graphic designer, enjoyed creating beautiful slides that were pleasing to look at. I also enjoyed filling up the slides with information based on religion, as I plan on receiving my Masters in Humanities and Religious Studies. Getting to spend about fourteen hours on the project, on a theme that I’ve been passionate about my entire life, was a great experience and an even better way to end the semester.

For more on how important Asian humanities is, here is a Youtube video by Stanford. 

Works Cited:

Bresnan, Patrick S. Awakening: an Introduction to the History of Eastern Thought. Routledge, 2018.

“The Future of East Asian Studies.” YouTube, YouTube, 8 Oct. 2018, www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJRi7zFR1es.

History.com Editors. “Hinduism.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, 6 Oct. 2017, www.history.com/topics/religion/hinduism.

Books I Have Read in 2020

Bresnan, Patrick S. Awakening: an Introduction to the History of Eastern Thought. Routledge, 2018.

• This book goes into detail about Eastern religion, thoughts, practices, and the people. It dives into art throughout the centuries. In the beginning, it tells us the mystery about the Indus Civilization, everything in the middle, and then lastly onto Japan and its history. 

Brown, Stephen F. Christianity: World Religions. Facts On File, 1991.

• This tells us about Christianity and its history. Although I have only read a couple of chapters, it is both insightful and unbias. It is a great book to learn about one of the most major religions.

Eknath, Easwaran. The Bhagavad Gita. Nilgiri Press, 2019.

• This book tells the story of Arjuna and Krishna. It is a story that tells us about Hinduism, as Krishna is the Almighty and Arjuna represents us. It is a book where the man is speaking to God and asking him for advice in life. It is a great book that uses symbolism to target its points. 

Feldman, Robert S. Discovering the Life Span. Pearson Education, Inc., 2021.

• This is a psychology textbook in which gives us information on our entire lifespan. From how we think and what we need as we are babies, to how we think and what we need when we are elderly. This book goes over every age group and analyzes the human brain.

Wangu, Madhu Bazaz. Hinduism: World Religions. Facts on File, 2001.

• This tells us about Hinduism and its history. From the origins to what it’s like today. It is an unbias book that helps the average person learn about Hinduism. 

Stein and the Mogao Caves

    Used as a path for ideas, people, and objects, the Silk Road was one, if not, the, most important trade route that has ever existed. Connecting China with the West brought together two great civilizations, Ancient China and Ancient Rome. And relics from the past are still standing today. In the book Awakening, by Patrick Bresnan, the Mogao Caves are one of these great relics that is talked about by Bresnan. He states, “The justly famous Mugao Grottoes, one of the most splendid of all the remains from that distant time, are located near Dunhuang” (Bresnan 378). On the side of a cliff that used to be a front for a river, now dried up, holds art and sculptures dated back to around 300 B.C.E. The video titled “The Silk Road: Where East Met West” also mentions the Mogao Cave and the importance of the work done there. However, we then are transported back into the 20th century, as we are told about how paintings and documents were retrieved from the ancient site as the video states, “You are an explorer, an archaeologist, Hungarian born, British by choice. The year is 1907 and your name is Aurel Stein” (Silk, 29:50 - 30:00). It is then we are told the story of Stein. While the book covers information about this great Buddhist site, we are told of Stein and his intertwinement with the Mogao Caves. 

Mogao Caves (Entrance)

    These Caves, almost 500 of them, all have art lining the walls. From sculptures to paintings, the Buddhist themes and art are beautifully preserved. Bresnan states, “The walls and ceilings of the caves are decorated with very beautiful paintings of Buddhist themes that derive from the earliest period of Buddhism in China” (Bresnan 378). He goes on to talk about the interior of the Caves and how they represent the spread of Buddhism into China, which back in the day, was run by Confucianism. However, the video takes a different approach to the Caves, as it mentions Aurel and how he was able to get away with precious thousand-year-old documents and ripping paintings off of the walls inside the Caves. It states, “You discover that the Mogao Caves are in the charge of the abbot of the nearby Daoist monastery. You meet the abbot and you take a picture of him. He looks a bit simple and shabby, and that’s how you treat him - shabbily” (Silk, 30:14 - 30:31). When he is upon the Mogao Caves, he finds the abbot in charge of it. With what the video has told us, we can assume that he held no respect for the abbot. Instead, he looked down upon him as he used the word shabbily to describe this man. He then expends effort in order to gain this abbot’s trust, which we will see, he takes advantage of. 

Diamond Sutra, 868 C.E.

    The Mogao Caves are a beauty of their time. This is the focus that Bresnan takes in his book. He states, “Many of these paintings are pure enchantment” (Bresnan 378). Indeed they are. Aurel Stein also thought that as well. The video goes on to tell us how Stein took advantage of this abbot as it states, “And then you convince Abbot Wang that 130 pounds is more than enough for all of these treasures. You load 29 cases of your plunder onto the backs of camels and take everything back to Britain” (Silk, 31:17 - 31:33). Ripping paintings of the wall dating back to the Tang Dynasty, taking his pick of the documents held by the abbot, one of them being the Diamond Sutra which is the earliest printed book ever discovered, dating back from the ninth century, and only paying 130 pounds for his plunder, is a disgrace. To bring it back to Britain where Stein will get an appraisal for what he “found” or “discovered” is sickening. For the video to state this gives us knowledge into who Stein really was as a man, as a human. The covering of Stein in the video and not the book gives me more knowledge on the details of these discoveries made by Western archaeologists.

Works Cited:

Bresnan, Patrick. Awakening: an Introduction to the History of Eastern Thought. Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group, 2018.

Centre, UNESCO World Heritage. “Mogao Caves.” UNESCO World Heritage Centre, whc.unesco.org/en/list/440/.

“Diamond Sutra.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., www.britannica.com/topic/Diamond-Sutra.

“The Silk Road: Where East Met West: Episode 1.” Films On Demand, Films Media Group, 2016, fod.infobase.com/PortalPlaylists.aspx?wID=237206&xtid=124992. Accessed 26 Apr. 2021.

The Confucian and Daoist Superior Humans

    Because of the Warring States period of ancient China, there were philosophies and schools of thought that flourished in this time. With war, comes a solution to how the government should be run. Two of these philosophies would later be known as Confucianism and Daoism (Taoism). Discovered at different times by different men, it is no wonder that these two philosophies hold little to no similarities with each other. In the book Awakening, by Patrick Bresnan, he goes over in-depth the knowledge of both. He states, “... the Daoist new person was a far cry from the “Superior Man” of Confucius” (Bresnan 342). Here, we see that the “Superior” humans in both philosophies have more disagreement than similarities.

A Portrait of Confucius from an unknown source.

    In chapter 13, number four of the Questions of Discussion, located on page 332, asks what a junzi, Cunfucias’ “Superior Man,” is really like and if this ideal has any application in the modern world. His Superior Man would be a man of knowledge, one knowledgeable in the legacy of the past, well-rounded, conversant, and skilled in all areas of life. They would also be a man of ren, which Bresnan states “ is sincere feeling and caring for others; ren is gladly putting others first; ren is compassion; ren is good-natured; ren is human-heartedness” (Bresnan 315). This is what makes up the Superior Man of Confucianism. And this kind of work ethic can be applied to the modern world. Any Superior Man of this time would be treated in high regard and respect. However, Bresnan states, “junzi in the time of Confucius could be applied only to men” (Bresnan 314). The character of the Superior Man can be applied, but the fact that Confucius believed that only men can hold this title shows that today, this gender inequality wouldn't be accepted. However, as we see coming up, Doasim shows that anybody can hold a Superior Person title.

    While reading chapter 14, question number three on page 359 asks how a Daoist Superior Person differs from the Confucian Superior Man, if they have anything in common, and which one does me, the reader, find more appealing. The Daoists Superior Person, explained by Bresnan, is one who does not care about fame or fortune, would not be attached to material possessions, and would work naturally and spontaneously at his or her craft, whether that be a farmer, a child bearer, etc. Bresnan states, “The Daoist master is completely natural, completely spontaneous; he goes with the flow of life without excessively trying to control it” (Bresnan 342). Unlike the Confucian Superior Man, the Superior Person holds no title and does not have to be knowledgeable in the legacy of the past. They do not have to be skilled in all areas of life, they only need to be skilled in something that they love to do. But like the Superior Man, the Superior person is also compassionate and caring for his and her neighbors. But the most appealing and easiest to obtain would be the Daoist Superior Person. The idea of living simply and having no attachments or worldly desires feels like the best choice if I were to pick the most appealing.

A great documentary to watch about the Superior Person in Daoism is this one, Youtube's The Art of Effortless Living.

Works Cited:

Bresnan, Patrick. Awakening: an Introduction to the History of Eastern Thought. Routledge, Taylor &                 Francis Group, 2018.

OneWorldWithin. “The Art of Effortless Living (Taoist Documentary).” YouTube, YouTube, 11 Nov. 2019, www.youtube.com/watch?v=IuDY8m72tgk.

V, Jayaram. The Qualities of a Superior Man by Confucius.www.hinduwebsite.com/general/quotes/confu-superior.asp.

The Anonymity of Sōtatsu

Waves at Matsushima, Tawaraya Sōtatsu (1600-1640),
Japan, early 1600s

    While virtually visiting the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art, I stumbled upon the works of Tawaraya Sōtatsu (1600-1640). As a gift from Charles Lang Freer from the Freer Gallery of Art given to the Smithsonian, Sōtatsu’s Waves at Matsushima, painted in Japan in the early 1600s, is a painting that depicts the blessings of the sea while also inspiring artists of his time. The folding screen is also one of Japan's most distinctive forms of art, seen in this painting. Screens such as this were traditionally displayed as a backdrop for special occasions and ceremonies. It is speculated that this painting was commissioned by the merchant Tani Shōan to celebrate the opening of the Zen temple Shōunji.

    Although there are over 70 works created by Sōtatsu, much of the artist’s personal life is unknown. Living in Kyoto, Japan, Sōtatsu had a studio called Tawaraya, where he made and sold fan paintings to an audience of aristocratic and imperial patronage. His recognizable works of abstract designs and vibrant colors, with the use of wet pigment to create random patterns, would later become known as the Rinpa style. A style that would come to influence modern Japanese art. However, if it wasn't for the efforts of Charles Lang Freer with the discovery of Sōtatsu’s works over 200 years after their creation, then Sōtatsu’s paintings would not have received the attention and recognition they deserved.

Dragons and Clouds, Tawaraya Sōtatsu (1600-1640),
Japan, date unknown

    The journal article "Japanese Calligraphy and Painting," by Steven D. Owyoung and Elizabeth Horton, describes why Sōtatsu's work was so important. His combining of traditional themes of Japanese scroll painting with bold, decorative designs would go on to influence others. For example, his use of gold and silver would be shown through the works of Ogata Kōrin, a Japanese artist of the Tokugawa period, famous for his screen paintings, textile designs, and lacquerwork. The article also talks about how he created a decorative style known as Rinpa as it states, “Rinpa, the great decorative style of the Edo period, was developed by the extraordinary masters of design Tawaraya Sōtatsu (seventeenth century)...” (Owyoung 3). He pioneered techniques that would later go on to influence a majority. It again states, “Rinpa’s influence continued into contemporary times, and is often found in modern Japanese Nihonga painting… has expressed the native artistic spirit of modern Japan… relates closely to Japan's cultural past through its themes, materials, and styles” (Owyoung 3). Although he and his works were forgotten for centuries, they still lived on in others, such as his contemporary Hon'ami Kōetsu, and into the next generation of painters such as Ogata Kōrin.

    Sōtatsu's works are beautiful. To me, the colors and the techniques that he uses come together to create masterpieces. The Smithsonian virtual museum tour was a way to look at works of art with the comfort of being in your own home. I have never gone to an actual museum, but this virtual tour allows me to experience art in the safety of my coronavirus-free house. Although this is a great and safe way to look at art, I still would like to go to an actual museum because then it would be better to see fine details, textures, and dimensions up close. With that being said, more information on Waves at Matsushima can be found in this brief Youtube video:

Works Cited:

Owyoung, Steven D., and Elizabeth Horton. “JAPANESE CALLIGRAPHY AND PAINTING.” Bulletin (St. Louis Art Museum), vol. 19, no. 3, 1989, pp. 1–35. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/40716256. Accessed 28 Mar. 2021.

“Sōtatsu: Making Waves.” Freer Gallery of Art & Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, 25 Mar. 2020, asia.si.edu/exhibition/sotatsu-making-waves/.

The Two Great Traditions of Buddhism

    It was more than 2,500 years ago when the non-theistic faith of Buddhism was founded by Siddhartha Guatama, which today we know as “the Buddha.” From his teachings of encouraging avoidance of self-indulgence and self-denial, it is this way of life that allows a man to become enlightened. As the Buddha taught his findings of enlightenment orally to those that would listen, there was never a body of Buddhist scripture written down and preserved, until about 80 B.C.E. It was this moment in time for which almost all of Buddhist monks and scholars met together in what would be called the Great Council at Anuradhapura, the capital of Sri Lanka. The book Awakening, by Patrick Bresnan, states, “...they were there for the purpose of formally establishing an authentic body of Buddhist scripture” (Bresnan 243). These followers of Buddhism had now created the Pali Canon, a collection of scriptures that makes up the great tradition of Theravada Buddhism. But like every tradition, there come opposing viewpoints. These oppositionists created the second great tradition of Buddhism, Mahayana Buddhism. Influential, larger, and more favored by the people, Mayahaya Buddhism would take over reign for centuries until Theravada would again make an appearance in modern times.

Thai Buddhist Monk

    When the Buddhist monks and scholars created the scriptures for Theravada Buddhism, we ask ourselves what Theravada means. Bresnan states, “... the first great organized movement within Buddhism, is known by the name Theravada… Theravada literally means “teachings (doctrine) of the elders,” but in more everyday language, we could translate it simply as “the orthodox tradition”” (Bresnan 251-252). Followers of this type of Buddhism believed that through our own efforts, we could attain self-liberation. And the road to enlightenment is through dedicating one’s entire life to a monastic lifestyle. More conservative of the two great traditions, Theravada followers believed that their way of Buddhism was more aligned with the Buddha’s teachings. However, as we see with the formation of Mahayana Buddhism, those with different viewpoints create their own way of life. 

Statues of the Buddha in Mahayana Tradition

    What was it about the character of the Theravadin tradition that opened the way for the rise of Mahayana? It was simply the differences in teachings and beliefs. Bresnan states, “... there had been a minority… Those were the Buddhists of a more spiritual, more mystical frame of mind. We may speculate that this minority group wished to see Buddhism more influenced by traditional Hindu beliefs and practices” (Bresnan 262). Those who followed Mayahana Buddhism believed themselves to be better than those who followed Theravada Buddhism because they believed that to attain enlightenment, one had to share their knowledge and be compassionate with others. Theravada teaches that alone, we are able to reach enlightenment. But Mahayanaists know that the Buddha reached enlightenment through compassion and the will to teach others what he knew. In many other ways did Mahayanists believe that their way was superior. One example of this is the Mahayana name. Bresnan states, “...Mahayana as simply meaning “greater vehicle”... Hinayana is simply a lesser, and therefore inferior, vehicle” (Bresnan 264). The Mahayanists called Theravada Buddhism Hinayana Buddhism, which translates to a lesser vehicle. Because Theravada Buddhism was strict and really those who were able to worship it were an elite few, it is said to carry fewer people, so it is termed Hinayana. Whereas Mahayana, meaning greater vehicle, was able to carry more people because it welcomed all. Both of these great traditions influenced and impacted its followers today, where Buddhism is still changing and evolving with the times. For a deeper look into these different traditions, this video from youtube compares and contrasts these two schools of thought:

Works Cited:

Bresnan, Patrick. Awakening: an Introduction to the History of Eastern Thought. Routledge, Taylor &            Francis Group, 2018.

Permalinks Cited:

“Mahayana Buddhism and Tradition.” And Tradition, 

    www.burmese-art.com/blog/mahayana-buddhism.

Why Do Thai MONKS Wear ORANGE Robes? 13 Nov. 2019, paramai.net/2017/05/04/why-dothaimonks-wear-orange-robe/.