Significant differences abound between the two main schools of modern Buddhism, Mahayana and Theravada. Among the many distinctions that exist, a few might be considered particularly central to understanding how these mutually exclusive divisions contrast with each other. However, before addressing these specific dissimilarities, it must be established that the fundamental divergence between the sects, which could possibly be understood as resulting from the following characteristics that make the two marks unique from each other, is that the practice Mahayana emphasizes an inclusiveness that is contrary to the preservation of Theravada doctrine. While the former type's adaptability has both attracted new practitioners and modified itself to complement modernity, the latter's unwavering resistance to change has allowed it to remain an uncompromising vessel of original Buddhist thought, battered, but having resisted two millennia of transformation. Building on this thesis, one of the clearest examples of Mahayanist lability, or revisionism from a more critical perspective, has been the adoption of the bodhisattva ideal in describing the preferable path for an enlightened individual to follow. . The sacrificial model of the Bodhisattva coexists well with Western perceptions of the qualities a superior being should possess: Christ-like compassion and altruism. Although in the early teachings of Buddhism there was little emphasis on tolerance of Nirvana, this heroic concept, which resonates with new followers, has become a pillar of the Mahayana tradition. Thus, while Mahayana Buddhists preach a magnanimous rejection of personal salvation as their ultimate goal, this noble effort...... middle of paper ......o recognizes a woman's right to choose in all circumstances, and the Mahayana approach being a more modified and peaceful position, recognizing a right to life, but offering mitigations, it becomes apparent which variety promulgates a value system that most closely matches that of the population of the modern era. Therefore, the Mahayana mentality again deviates from traditionalism to promote brotherhood, which sensitivity to public opinion will undoubtedly propagate. The preceding examples have been offered to reinforce the hypothesis that, although there is a wide variety of disagreements between the two most important vehicles of Buddhist transmission, their origins lie in a reduced divergence of opinion – if a change of guard and a resulting increase in numbers are preferable or not to a preservation of tradition capable of alienating newcomers..