Buddhism changed over time.
Mahayana= Greater vehicle or raft. This religion is commonly found in China and Japan. Mahayana was developed on the Indian continent and the text was written in Sanskrit.
Mahayana= They have a bogus claim that they have the secret writings of Buddha that he passed on to his disciples.
Mahayana- They do not have monks or nuns but they do suck up to religious figures.
Ideal: Boddhisattva- person who puts off nirvana in the name of helping the suffering.
Virtues= Helping others,grace,love and compassion. They have also brought back metaphysics.
They also have heaven and hell + nirvana. They also have SELF.

Hiniyana= lesser vehicle or raft (pejorative name for thervada) This was written in Sri Lanka in the language of Pali. This religion is found in areas such as S.E. Asia and Sri Lanka. Of the two religions it is the oldest and most authentic with respect to Buddha. This is a simple straight forward discipline verging on agnosticism.
Theravada requires full fledged devotion. One must give up material goods and be a monk. Theravada is not so much involved in metaphysics as they are the here and now.Theravada only takes you so far in the search of elightenment. There has been some dissent towards the buddhas teaching of the monks and not the common people.
Theravada is monastic. i.e. monks,nuns and laity. There is no bhakti, i.e.(worship of gods).
Arhat= person who has reached nirvana during their life.
Virtues: Calmness,serenity,wisdom through Buddha and peace of mind. It is like a self help program.
There is no afterlife but nirvana. There is also no SELF. There are less rituals. Buddha says metaphysics is a waste of time and it is better to lead a more basic life and existence.

Dhamma (pali)=Dharma- Buddhist "gospel"
Arahad=Arahat
As an argument to support Theravada they claim that becomming a monk helps others through your example.
Rd. pgs. 31-49 Dhammapada- has a discussion of the virtues of theravada Buddhism. It offers a presentation of basic beliefs.

Bob Coleman