1) "Mahayana is longer and easier path towards enlightment and Vajrayana is quicker and more harsh and hardworking path towards the achievement of enlightment." Source and further information: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_the_main_difference_between_Theravada_Mahayana_and_Vajrayana_Buddism 2) " The central difference between these groups is the ideal of the liberated individual that they postulate. In Theravada it is called an aharant, which is regarded as a monk in a monastery who achieves nirvana for himself and escapes the cycle of samsara, or birth and death. In the Mahayana tradition, the ideal is called a bodhisattva, which means a being who is enlightened. The being seeks enlightenment not for herself, but for the benefit and eventual liberation of all sentient beings. Another main difference concerns the respective traditions' understanding of the Buddha himself. While Theravadins think of the Buddha as a historical person, having lived, taught, and died, the Mahayanists maintain the Buddha as one of countless buddhas having come to this world, and yet to come. Further, "Buddha" describes the nature of all of reality, with everything that exists having an essential buddha-nature." Source and further information: http://www.elijah-interfaith.org/769/?tx_ttproducts_pi1[cat]=3&tx_ttproducts_pi1[backPID]=769&tx_ttproducts_pi1[product]=34&cHash=e1b7b645e0 3) Further information: - "mahayana vs. theravada": http://www.bswa.org/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=514&forum=7 - "What is the main difference between the two main branches of Buddhism?": http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070906144904AAwAhi4 - "Introductory Comparison of Hinayana and Mahayana ": http://www.berzinarchives.com/web/en/archives/study/comparison_buddhist_traditions/theravada_hinayana_mahayana/intro_comparison_hinayana_mahayana.html - ""Theravada or Mahayana: http://www.asiafinest.com/forum/lofiversion/index.php/t51546.html - "Differences Between Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism": http://www.religionfacts.com/buddhism/fastfacts/differences_theravada_mahayana.htm - "Theravada VS Mahayana": http://www.suanie.net/2003/10/10/theravada-vs-mahayana/ - "What is the difference between Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism?": http://www.term-papers.us/ts/gc/rcj224.shtml - "THERAVADA Versus MAHAYANA": http://www.triplegem.plus.com/thramaha.htm - "Theravada & Mahayana Buddhism": http://www.usamyanmar.net/Buddha/Article/Theravada%20Vs%20Mahayana.pdf - "Theravada - Mahayana Buddhism": http://www.urbandharma.org/udharma3/theramaya.html http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/buddhistworld/schools1.htm http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/history/comparative.htm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basic_Points_Unifying_the_Theravāda_and_the_Mahāyāna http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theravada http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahayana http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hinayana http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yana_(Buddhism%29 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern,_Eastern_and_Northern_Buddhism http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schools_of_Buddhism