Maha Yana

RELIGIONS
MAHAYA
NA
BUDDHIS
M
Objectives:
• State the six levels of perfection
of Mahayana Buddhism.
• Give examples of acts of
generosity of Mahayana
Buddhists.
• Explain: The core teaching of
Mahayana Buddhism is to seek
complete enlightenment for
the benefit of all living beings
through insight and compassion.
Introduction
• In previous lesson, you have learned
what Theravada Buddhism is about,
and how its followers’ belief of
salvation is attained without the
assistance of any supreme or
supernatural being. We have also
cited the life story of Siddhartha
Gautama and its influence on the
teachings of Buddhism. In this lesson,
we will discuss another version of
Buddhism called Mahayana Buddhism
which sprang out from monastic rule
and doctrinal differences within the
original form of Buddhism.
MAHAYANA BUDDHISM
-Also known as the “Great Vehicle”
-Emerged out of monastic rule and doctrinal
differences
-Mahayana and Theravada originated in the
foundational teachings of Siddhartha Gautama but
their methods and search for liberation from the
cycle of reincarnation can be very different
* Mahayana Buddhism aims to extend religious
authority to a larger number of people
-Widespread in China, Mongolia, Korea, Japan, Tibet
-Developed a wide appeal to common people
-Buddha was a spiritual leader and teacher whose life
serves as the foundation of Buddhist religion.
MAHAYANA BUDDHISM
These new developments within the new-found Buddhist sect comprise a set
of differing notions:
• 1.Mahayana Buddhist believed that Siddhartha secretly taught key
principles to chosen people who could completely interpret these teachings
in time. Any new teaching can now be added to the emerging Buddhist
faith.
• 2.Mahayana Buddhists forwarded the concept that Siddhartha Gautama
was actually a benevolent celestial king, not just a mere human being.
Because of his love for humankind and zeal to help the people, he came to
our world in human form.
• 3.Mahayana Buddhists advanced the radical idea that Siddhartha Gautama
was not the only Buddha. There were other divine beings that came before
him, after him and will come in the future. These beings came to earth to
help lessen the people’s sufferings and lead them to salvation.
Belief and Doctrines
1.The Buddha
• The concept of trikaya (“three
bodies”) pertains to the teaching
of Mahayana Buddhism about the
nature of the Buddha and reality.
Each Buddha has three bodies,
namely, dharmakaya,
sambhogakaya, and nirmanakaya.
• For Mahayana Buddhists, Buddhas
are not individuals who actually
lived in this world. They are simply
expressions of the one Buddha
reality, such as that of Siddhartha
Gautama.
2.Bodhisattvas
One distinct feature of
Mahayana Buddhism
concerns its teaching about
an enlightened being or
bodhisattva (“enlightened
existence”) which is the
ultimate way for any
Buddhist to live in this
world.
3.Bhumis and Paramitas
Based on the Mahayana
tradition, a bodhisattva must
pass 10 bhumis (“grounds” of
“land”) before attempting the
so-called “Buddha-hood”.
These are extensions of the
“Eightfold Path”.
3.Bhumis and Paramitas
The bhumis are frequently
associated with the paramitas
(“perfections”). Translated as “to
cross over the other shore”,
paramitas imply crossing from the
“sea of suffering” to the “shore of
happiness”. A bodhisattva vow is
stated as “May I attain
Buddhahood for the benefit of all
sentient beings”.
Activity 1
Let us determine if you can now give examples of acts of generosity of
Mahayana Buddhism.
Complete the following statement to give examples of acts of
generosity.
• 1. Showing _____________to people begins with having a
positive attitude toward others and recognizing them for their
acceptance value, for who they are, and what they contribute to the world.
appreciation • 2. To _______________genuinely with the intention to
compassion understand and know another person is how we establish true
mutual respect.
gratitude
• 3. The act of ______________ begins with simply saying
listen “thank you.”

• 4. The generosity of _____________ is intimately tied to the
giving of empathy and sympathy.
• 5. ________ acknowledges our differences as a natural
outgrowth of our likenesses and what we all have in common.
Core teaching:
•To seek complete
enlightenment for
the benefit of all
living beings
through insight
and compassion.
Tibetan Buddhism
• The term lama means “the superior
one” and lamas are frequently the
reincarnations of previous lamas
• The Dalai Lama is the most
prominent face of Tibetan
Buddhism who has been living in
exile in India since he fled Chinese
occupation of Tibet in 1959.
• The term dalai means “ocean” in
Mongol referring to the vastness
and depth of the person.

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