Define Theravada and Mahayana. Describe the Arhat and the Bodhisattva. Explain how each achieves the goal of nirvana. Examine how they relate to some of the key concepts/teachings.

Theravada, a branch within Buddhism, focuses on Siddhartha Gatama’s teachings. Theravada is the oldest school of Buddhism that still exists today. It promotes self liberation by promoting mindfulness, meditation and ethical behavior. Theravada adherents believe the way to freedom is by understanding and realizing reality.

Mahayana, another branch of Buddhism that emphasizes compassion in pursuit of enlightenment. Its core teaching revolves around bodhicitta or “awakening mind” which encourages practitioners to develop altruistic qualities such as kindness and empathy so that they can eventually reach a higher level of existence – nirvana.

The Arhat (or ‘Arahant’) refers to someone who has achieved enlightenment by following Buddhist teachings in their entirety while Bodhisattva means ‘enlightened being’ – referring to someone who strives towards attaining Nirvana not just for themselves but also for all other sentient beings in order to help them on their own paths.

Arhats and Bodhisattvas share the same goal of Nirvana, though they have different approaches. While Arhats are focused more on self-liberation and discipline without regard to others and instead focus their efforts towards helping others achieve this state by benevolence and kindness as well as being mindful and aware in daily life. They both also relate heavily some key concepts/teachings such interconnectedness impermanence suffering found throughout Buddhist philosophy ultimately leading common goal: reaching end suffering liberating one’s self from cycle reincarnation.