Mahayana Buddhism Overview

Mahayana Buddhism

• Also known as the "Great Vehicle"
• One of two major Buddhist traditions
• Originated in India between 150 BCE and 100 CE
• Believed to be the more authentic version of Buddha's teachings
• The beginnings date back to the 1st century BCE to the 1st century CE, with Nagarjuna's systematic philosophical articulation later forming the basis of Mahayana teachings.
• Variations in Buddhism arose during the 3rd century BCE, coinciding with missionary efforts by the Mauryan king Ashoka
• Mahasamghika, an early Buddhist school, was the source of the early growth of Mahayana Buddhism, especially during the "Second Buddhist Council."
• A religious schism occurred between the Mahasamghika and Sthavira nikaya during the Second Buddhist Council.
• This division resulted in a new form of Buddhism distinct from the Theravada teachings of Siddhartha
• Mahayana Buddhism accepts the canonical texts of the Theravada school (including the Tripitaka)
• Includes a wider range of philosophical and devotional texts, reflecting openness to changes and influences from indigenous cultures.

Sacred Scriptures

• Mahayana Buddhism accepts the Tripitaka
• Includes a variety of philosophical and devotional texts.

Lotus Sutra

• One of the most prominent Mahayana Buddhist texts.
• In Sanskrit, it's known as the "Sutra of the Lotus of the Wonderful Law."
• Contains the Buddha's most complete teachings.
• Shakyamuni expounds the ultimate truth of life.
• Key message is that Buddhahood is inherent in all beings.

Prajnaparamita

• Known as the "Perfection of Wisdom Sutra."
• Perfected way for seeing the nature of reality.
• Incorporates a body of sutras with a focus on the concept of "Great Mother"
• Combines Sanskrit words prajna ("wisdom") and paramita ("perfection").

Heart Sutra

• Discusses the doctrine of emptiness (Shunyata), central to reality.
• Explains suffering as cyclic, arising due to mortality, action (karma), selfhood (skandhas), and transient reality (dharmas).

Sukhavati

• Also known as the "Pure Land of Bliss," it's a blissful realm in East Asian Mahayana.
• Nirvana is achieved by invoking Amitabha's name at the hour of death.
• Described as a joyous realm.

Beliefs and Doctrines

Siddhartha Gautama

• Founded the historical Buddha of Mahayana Buddhism
• Attained Enlightenment at the age of 35
• Known as Gautama Buddha
• Taught across India
• Died at the age of 80

Trikaya (Three Bodies)

• A concept of the nature of Buddha in Mahayana Buddhism;
• Dharmakaya: body of absolute truth, representing the ultimate nature of all beings.
• Sambhogakaya: body that experiences the bliss of enlightenment
• Nirmanakaya: body that manifests in the world, embodying the Dharmakaya in human form.

Bodhisattva

• Enlightened beings in Mahayana Buddhism who have put off reaching nirvana to help others attain enlightenment.
• Spontaneous desire to achieve enlightenment is known as Bodhicitta.
• Mahayana embraces different variations of Bodhisattvas across countries

Worship and Observances

• Buddhist practices involve rituals, prayers, and chants.
• Worshippers offer vegetarian food and light incense to Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, particularly in temples.
• Symbols like lotus, dharma wheels, and mudras (hand gestures) hold importance.

Subdivisions

• Pure Land Buddhism: Originated in India, spread to East Asia. Centers on reaching a western paradise known as Sukhavati after death by reciting Amitabha's name.
• Intuitive Sects: Emphasize personal enlightenment through meditation, not external guidance.
• Rationalist Sect: Founded by Chih-I (Zhiyi) in 6th-century China. Emphasizes studying and contemplation to achieve spiritual enlightenment.
• Socio-Political Sect: Developed in 13th-century Japan. Centers on devotion to the Lotus Sutra.
• Tibetan Buddhism: Introduced to Tibet in the 7th century CE.

Issues

• Tibet: Centuries-long claims by China and India. Tibet enjoyed independence, but faced a failed uprising in 1959, resulting in the Dalai Lama's exile.
• From 1959 to 1977, Tibet underwent persecution. The elements of Tibetan Buddhism were almost completely destroyed.

Engaged Activism

• Buddhist monks have engaged in ritualistic suicides to protest governmental actions.
• These actions occurred in the 20th century.