What are the main characteristics that differ between Theravada, Mahayana and Tiantai Buddhism?

Tiantai is a school within Mahayana Buddhism, so we only have two main branches of Buddhism: Theravada/Hinayana and Mahayana. Tibetan Buddhism is a third, but it also stems from Mahayana, but most consider it a “third” because it’s very different than your “regular” Mahayana.

Theravada is sometimes known or nicknamed as “original Buddhism.” All their teachings are direct teachings from Shakyamuni Buddha. They do not believe in the other Buddhas or Bodhisattvas. The “Buddha” is a titled reserved only for our historical Buddha, Shakyamuni. So the highest level of attainment a Theravada practitioner can attain is Arhatship, and that can only be done if one enters/ordains monasticism.

Mahayana teachings are greatly vast and sometimes very complex. Mahayana has all the original teachings that the Theravada have and practice, and also other teachings and sutras the Buddha gave on other Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. The Buddha introduced these other buddhas and bodhisattvas as an expedient means to help people with a different way of practice and way of thinking. Pure Land Buddhism is one of the most popular “alternative” forms of attaining enlightenment.

Likewise, Tiantai is another alternative form of practice that particularly emphasizes the Lotus Sutra. Mahayana Buddhism believes that everyone has Buddha Nature, so everyone, monastics and lay people, has the potential to become a Buddha and that an Arhat or Bodhisattva are not the highest levels we can attain, the Lotus Sutra teaches us that.

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