Mahayana Buddhism

Mahayana Buddhism.
Mahayana is an umbrella term which describes a number of different schools, the

earliest of which emerged between the 1st century BCE and the 1st century CE.
Mahayana is seen by modern scholars as a new movement which developed its own
vast collection of scriptures between the first and fifth centuries CE, which include
different interpretations of the Buddha’s teachings. Mahayana also developed
different forms of worship to Theravada Buddhism. Mahayana gave rise to two main
philosophical schools of Buddhism – Madhyamaka and Chittamatra. Over the years
Mahayana spread to other countries and other schools of Buddhism developed from it
such as Zen and Pure Land, popular in Japan and China.
Mahayana Buddhism
After about 500 years Buddhism spread to China, Korea and Japan. In these countries
people were usually encouraged to marry and work to support themselves and their
families. For these reasons there are fewer monks and nuns in
countries. The main Buddhist tradition practiced in these areas is
Mahayana Buddhism. The name means ‘Greater Vehicle’
which suggests that it aims to help many people move along the
Buddhist path, whether they are monastic or lay Buddhists.
There are different types of Mahayana Buddhism including Zen
and Pure Land Buddhism, both popular in Japan.
All Buddhists follow the Eightfold Path, however, Mahayana Buddhists also follow the
Bodhisattva Path which is divided into ten stages (bhumis, literally meaning ‘grounds’).
These are the ten perfections (paramitas).
1. Generosity 6. Wisdom (prajna)

2. Moral discipline 7. Skilful means
3. Patience 8. Strength/power
4. Diligence 9. Aspiration
5. Concentration/meditation 10. Primordial wisdom (jnana)
After the tenth stage one attains Buddhahood. A bodhisattva is someone who follows
the path in order to attain enlightenment for themselves and for others. The
bodhisattva reaches his/her goal by arousing bodhichitta, the awakened mind and
taking the vows of the Bodhisattva.
Things to do.
1. Explain two main differences between Mahayana and Theravada Buddhism.
2. Why are there fewer monks and nuns in countries where Mahayana is the main
school of Buddhism?
3. What does the title, ‘Greater Vehicle’ suggest about Mahayana Buddhism?
4. Note down and then explain the ten perfections.
5. Note down key words and their definitions.
Mahayana view of the Buddha.
From the Mahayana perspective Buddha was already enlightened when
Sunyata.
An important concept in Mahayana Buddhism is sunyata, which is often translated as
‘emptiness’. For Mahayana Buddhists, understanding sunyata is essential for
achieving enlightenment. Sunyata could be understood to be a restatement of anatta.
It emphasises that not only do human beings not have a fixed,
independent, unchanging nature, but in fact all things are like that.
Nothing exists independently but only in relation to and because of,
other things. A wave, for example cannot be separated from the sea.
A computer helps explain this concept;
A computer does not have a soul, instead it is made up of many
different parts which rely on each other and work together to
form the whole computer. The computer relies on other people
to make the parts, put them together and to keep them
working. This makes the computer interdependent and
interrelated. It is also impermanent as the computer will eventually break down.
For Buddhists realising that everything depends on and interlinks with everything else
can lead to trust, compassion and selflessness. Realising that everything is
impermanent is important for reducing the suffering that results in becoming too
attached to things. These realisations are important for becoming enlightenment.
Buddhism in the West.
All forms of Buddhism are practised in the West. However there is a group
called ‘Friends of the Western Buddhist Order’ (FWBO). It uses the teachings
and practices from Theravada, Mahayana and Tibetan Buddhism.
Distinctive practices and emphases of Mahayana Buddhism and how they shape and express religious identity
b) The extension of the concept of the Buddha to include the Buddha and creation. The specific concept of the
Buddha as a cosmic presence that influences the world.
c) The Buddha nature in every person. The centrality of Buddha Gautama, especially in their use of images and
stupas.
The different schools of Mahayana should be explored in the context of the countries in which they developed and
are practised.
With reference to the ideas of A Basham and the 14th Dalai Lama.

Mahayana Buddhism

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Mahayana Buddhism.

Mahayana is an umbrella term which describes a number of different schools, the

1. Generosity 6. Wisdom (prajna)

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