Mahayana Buddhism Article

Mahayana Buddhism
 Brief history
Mahayana Buddhism is the largest Buddhist sect in the world, and its beliefs and
practices are what most non-adherents recognize as "Buddhism" in the modern era. It
developed as a school of thought sometime after 383 BCE, possibly from the earlier
school known as Mahasanghika, though that claim has been challenged.
Mahasanghika ("Great Congregation") was an early Buddhist school that developed

after the Second Buddhist Council of 383 BCE when the Sthaviravada school ("Sect of
the Elders" or "Teaching of the Elders") broke away from the Buddhist community over
doctrinal differences. This early schism led to others and the development of many
different Buddhist schools of which Mahasanghika was only one.
Mahayana, (Sanskrit: “Greater Vehicle”) movement that arose within
Indian Buddhism around the beginning of the Common Era and became by the 9th
century the dominant influence on the Buddhist cultures of Central and East Asia, which
it remains today. It spread at one point also to Southeast Asia, including Myanmar
(Burma) and Sri Lanka, but has not survived there.
 Core Teaching
The Mahayana Buddhism gives us positive ideas of the ultimate issues of life. The
Mahayana, or Great Vessel, offers to all beings salvation, by faith and love as well as by
knowledge, while the Hinayana only seeks those few strong souls who require no
external aid nor the consolation of worship.
Buddha’s Life & Death

According to Buddhist tradition, the belief system was founded by a
former Hindu prince, Siddhartha Gautama (l. c. 563 - c. 483 BCE), whose father
protected him from experiencing any kind of pain or suffering for the first 29 years of
his life.
the Four Signs that would change the direction of his life:
 An aged man
 A sick man
 A dead man
 An ascetic
Enlightenment came in the form of the Four Noble Truths:
 Life is suffering
 The cause of suffering is craving
 The end of suffering comes with an end to craving
 There is a path which leads one away from craving and suffering
the Eightfold Path:
 Right View
 Right Intention
 Right Speech
 Right Action
 Right Livelihood
 Right Effort
 Right Mindfulness
 Right Concentration
Shortly after this, Siddhartha abandoned his life and fled to the woods to join a band of
spiritual ascetics.
Mahayana Beliefs and Practices

 Beliefs
Mahayana Buddhism accepted all of these tenets but also claimed that a
Mahayana sutra – a book of Buddhist teachings, words of the Buddha,
hagiographies, and meditative verses – represented the authentic vision of the
Buddha while those of other schools, however valuable they might be, did not.
The term Mahayana was self-applied – the school itself claimed to have the
largest number of followers – and they called other schools Hinayana ("The
Lesser Vehicle") applied to those groups that rejected Mahayana sutras and
maintained their own beliefs regarding the Buddha and his essential teaching.
 Practices
These beliefs are observed in one’s daily life through the ten practices known
as pāramitā (Sanskrit for "perfection") essential to one’s spiritual development:
1. Dāna Pāramitā: Charity, the act of giving generously

2. Śīla Pāramitā: Morality, self-discipline, virtuous conduct
3. Ksānti Pāramitā: Patience, forbearance, endurance
4. Vīrya Pāramitā: Effort, diligence, perseverance
5. Dhyāna Pāramitā: Concentration, single-mindedness
6. Prajñā Pāramitā: Wisdom, spiritual knowledge tempered by compassion
7. Upāya Pāramitā: Method, the right way to accomplish anything
8. Pranidhāna Pāramitā: Resolution, determination in working toward a goal
9. Bala Pāramitā: Spiritual power
10. Jñāna Pāramitā: Knowledge, both of the nature of life and of oneself
 The Related Issues of Mahayana Buddhism

The three main aspects of Mahayana Buddhism are the importance of the sutras, the
significance of bodhisattvas and the religious communities they lead, and the
importance of meditation.
The importance of the sutras - The sutras are significant and unique texts in the
history of world religions. Sutras are foundational to Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism.
All sutras were originally oral traditions before being written. The act of memorizing and
reciting sutras was part of a spiritual practice.
The significance of bodhisattvas and the religious communities they lead-

Bodhisattvas are enlightened beings who have put off entering paradise in order to help
others attain enlightenment. There are many different Bodhisattvas, but the most
famous in China is Avalokitesvara, known in Chinese as Guanyin. Bodhisattvas are
usually depicted as less austere or inward than the Buddha.
Meditation - can give you a sense of calm, peace and balance that can benefit both
your emotional well-being and your overall health. You can also use it to relax and cope
with stress by refocusing your attention on something calming. Meditation can help you
learn to stay centered and keep inner peace.
What do Mahayana Buddhists believe in?
Mahayana Buddhists believe in the compassion of the Buddha and other bodhisattvas. They
also believe that they must rely on this compassion to reach Nirvana.
What does Mahayana mean in Buddhism?

Mahayana means The Great Vehicle. This is because it is the path by which many individuals
come to nirvana and enlightenment.
What are 3 aspects of Mahayana Buddhism?

The three main aspects of Mahayana Buddhism are the importance of the sutras, the
significance of bodhisattvas and the religious communities they lead, and the importance of
meditation. Meditation is sometimes accompanied by the recitation of sutras.
What is the main focus of Mahayana Buddhism?

The main focus of Mahayana Buddhism is obtaining the compassion of the bodhisattvas. This
can be performed by sharing the religious knowledge one has learned and assisting the rest of
the community on their way to nirvana.

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Mahayana Buddhism

Mahasanghika ("Great Congregation") was an early Buddhist school that developed

Buddha’s Life & Death

Enlightenment came in the form of the Four Noble Truths:

the Eightfold Path:

Mahayana Beliefs and Practices

1. Dāna Pāramitā: Charity, the act of giving generously

 The Related Issues of Mahayana Buddhism

The significance of bodhisattvas and the religious communities they lead-

What does Mahayana mean in Buddhism?

What are 3 aspects of Mahayana Buddhism?

What is the main focus of Mahayana Buddhism?

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