Question

A. What are the 3 main traditions of Buddhism and how do they each differ from each other?

Answer 1

A- The three main traditions of Buddhism are- Therevada, Mahayana and Vajrayana.

The Therevada provides the detailed and most useful account of Buddha's original teachings. It shares the logic of meditation practice.

The Mahayana provides us with the living traditions of Awakened Masters also known as Zen. This molds us towards wisdom and compassion.

The Vajrayana offers an arrangement of psychological practices along with core meditation practices. This tradition has changed few things like it has added reincarnation process.

2-  The Middle way or Middle path was used to describe the character of the Noble eightfold path that leads to liberation. The eightfold path was the right view, right resolve, right speech, right conduct, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right samadhi.

3- Buddhism was spread across and beyond India by King Ashoka. He sent monks to outside territories  to preach Buddhism and people began converting to Buddhism all around the world.