2. Mahayana Buddhism
• Believing itself as the more genuine Mahayana Buddhism
has diverged into numerous schools with each developing
its own canon and rituals since its founding more than two
years ago.
• Also known as "Great Wehicle, " Mahayana Buddhism
emerged out of monastic rule and doctrinal differences
within the original form of Buddhism.
• Not a single group but more of an assemble of Buddhism
is widespread in China, Mongolia, Korea, Japan, and
Tibet.
4. Historical Background
• During the third century B.C.E., a number of subtle variations began to take place in Buddhism at a time
when the Mauryan king Ashoka was propagating Buddhist gospels through missionary efforts (Hopfe 1983).
• The Mahasamghika (“of the Great Sangha”), one of the early Buddhist schools, may have been the
source for the initial growth of Mahayana Buddhism, especially during the “Second Buddhist Council” that
occurred a hundred years after Buddha’s par nirvana.
*Set of differing notions pertaining to the original founder and great teacher Siddhartha Gautama himself:
• Firstly, Mahayana Buddhists believed that Siddhartha secretly taught key principles to chosen people, to
his most dedicated disciples, or to the most faithful who could completely interpret these teachings in time.
• Secondly, Mahayana Buddhists forwarded the concept that Siddhartha Gautama was actually a
benevolent celestial being, not just a mere human being.
• Thirdly, Mahayana Buddhists advanced the radical idea that Siddharta Gautama was not the only Buddha.
• Mahayana Buddhism is still the most popular branch of Buddhism in the world today.
6. Sacred
Scriptures
• While mahayana branch accept the canonical texts of the
theravada school such as the Tripitaka (Sanskrit word for
"Three Baskets") which is the collection of Buddha's
teaching. Mahayana buddhism includes many sacred
writings which are nearly identical in content with the Pila
Canon of the theravada sect.
• The canon of Mahayana Buddhism also consists of the
Tripitaka,namely Sutra Pit aka (Discourse) Vinaya Pitaka
(Discipline) Abdidharma Pitaka (Ultimate Doctrine).
• Mahayana buddhists have teachings or sutras not
present in the theravadas school and the followers
believed they have recovered the original teachings of
the buddha.
7. Sacred
Scriptures
• As the original language of transmission,Mahayana
Buddhism adopted the sankrit rather than the Pali form
common terms strictly used in Theravada Buddhism, such
as sutra(or sutta in Pali) and dharma(dhamma in Pali).
• Buddist text were also translated in the local vernacular (It
refers to the language or dialect that is spoken by people
that are inhabiting a particular country or region).
• The Mahayan school posseses innumerable (too many to
be counted) figures often lacking in the theravada
literature, including the bodhisattvas (a person who is
able to reach nirvana but delays doing so out of
compassion in order to save suffering beings).demons,
divinities (Godliness) and other spirits.
8. Sacred Scriptures
• One of the most popular and prominent Mahayana
buddhists texts is the Lotus sutra, or the
saddharmapundarika-sutra that literally means "correct
dharma white lotus sutra" or 'sutra of the Lotus of the
wonderful law" in Sanskrit.
• A sutras pertains to one of the discourse (a written or
spoken communication or debate) of the historical
Buddha that consist the basic text of buddist sacred
writing.
• The Lotus Sutra is presented as a discourse conveyed by
Siddhartha Gautama before his eventual death.
• It contains the most definitive teaching of the Buddha.
• A key idea within the influential sutra is that all people
equally and inherently possesses the so-called "Buddha
nature" or "Buddha hood" which is the condition of
complete happiness and freedom from fear and illusions.
In short, the attainment of enlightenment is open to all
people regardless of gender, race, social status, and
education.
• Mahayana tradition maintains and these suntras were kept
for 500 years and reintroduced only during the "Fourth
Buddhist Council" in Kashmir in 78 C.E.
10. The Buddha
• Siddharta Gautama, born in the fifth or sixth century in Nepal, is considered the historical
Buddha in Mahayana Buddhism.
• He died at the age of 80.
• THERAVADA BUDDHISM- only the historical Buddha and past Buddhas are accepted.
• MAHAYANA BUDDHISM- there are other contemporary and popular Buddhas apart from
the historical Buddha.
11. Trikaya (“three bodies”)
• teaching of Mahayana
Buddhism about the nature of
the Buddha and reality.
• three bodies: dharmakaya,
sambhogakaya, and
nirmanakaya
THE BODY
NATURE OR ASPECT OF
“BUDDHA-HOOD” MANIFESTATION
DHARMAKAYA
- Body of absolute
truth; absolute
nature of all beings.
- Buddha is
transcendent
SAMBHOGAKAYA
- Body that
experiences bliss of
enlightenment.
- Buddha’s body of
bliss, or enjoyment
body
NIRMANAKAYA
- Body that manifests
the world;
embodiment of
dharmakaya in
human form.
- Buddha’s earthly
body, just like any
other human being’s
body
12. Bodhisattvas
• bodhsattva (“enlightened existence”)- ultimate way for any Buddhist to live in this world.
• bodhisattva has the capacity to determine the state of mind and emotion of each person
thereby facilitating assistance based on the actual needs.
• bodhisattvas are embodiment of great compassion.
4 PRINCIPLES BODHISATTVAS
Avalokiteshvara- most revered and most popular Buddhist deity among all bodhisattvas.
Manjushri – embodimentof wisdom, intelligence, and willpower.
Ksitigarbha – the one who helps and liberates all sentient beings residing in hell.
Samanthabhadra – representationof love, virtue, and diligence.
13. Bhumis and Paramitas
• Based on the Mahayana tradition, a bodhisattva must pass 10 bhumis (“grounds” of “land”)
before attaining the so-called “Buddha-hood.” These are extensions of the “Eightfold Path”.
• 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 boddhisattva vow is stated as “May I attain Buddhahood for the benefit of all sentient
beings.” The 10 bhumis as lifted from Avatamsaka Sutra or “Flower Garland Sutra,”one of
the most influential sutra of Mahayana Buddhism in East Asia, are listed in ther next slide:
14. Bhumis and Paramitas
BHUMI DESCRIPTION PARAMITA NATURE
Pramudita (Joyful Land) - The bodhisattva starts the journey joyful with the inspiration of
enlightenment
- Dana Paramita (
Generosity)
• Perfection of giving or
generosity
Vimala-bhumi ( Land of Purity) - The bodhisattva is purified of immoral conduct and
dispositions
- Sila Paramita (
Discipline)
• Perfection of morality
Prabhakari- bhumi ( Luminous or Radiant Land) - The bodhisattva is purified of the “Three Poisons,” namely,
greed, hate, and ignorance
- Ksanti Paramita (
Patience)
• Perfection of patience of
forbearance
Archismati- bhumi ( The Brilliant or Blazing Land) - The bodhisattva burns away all false conceptions - Virya Paramita (
Diligence)
• Perfection of energy
Sudurjaya- bhumi ( The Land That is Difficult to
Conquer)
- The bodhisattva goes deeper into meditation and understands
the "Four Noble Truths" and the "Two Truths" which are the
conventional and the ultimate truths
- Dhyana Paramita (
Meditative
Concentration)
• Perfection of meditation
15. Bhumis and Paramitas
ABHIU ( THE LAND LOOKING
FORWARD TO WISDOM)
- THE BODHISATTVA SEES THAT ALL PHENOMENA ARE WITHOUT
SELF-ESSENCE AND UNDERSTANDS THE NATURE OF
DEPENDENT ORIGINATION
PRAJNA
PARAMITA (
WISDOM)
PERFECTION OF
WISDOM
Durangama- bhumi ( The Far-Reaching
Land)
- The bodhisattva acquires the power of skilful means
(upaya) to help others realize enlightenment
Achala- bhumi ( The Immovable Land) - The bodhisattva can no longer be disturbed because
“Buddha-hood” is within sight
Sadhumati- bhumi ( The Land of Good
Thoughts)
- The bodhisattva understands all dharmas and is able
to teach others
Dharmamegha- bhumi ( The Land of
Dharma Clouds)
- The bodhisattva is confirmed of the “Buddha-hood”
and enters “Tushita Heaven” or the heaven of
contented gods
17. Worship and Observances
• Buddhism integrates (bring people or group so that they become a
whole) an assortment of religious practices and devotional rituals
with the objective of aiding worshippers in their journey toward
enlightenment and in bringing blessings to each and every one.
• In Buddhist and bodhisattvas, they pray and chant to pay their
respect to the Buddha's and bodhisattvas, such as Avalokiteshvara
(the embodiment of the virtue of compassion) Manjushri(gentle or
sweet, glory)Amitabha (infinite light)
• Worshippers also recite chants and undertake pilgrimages to sites of
Buddhist importance. Meditational activities are fundamental in
almost all popular forms of Buddhist. For Theravada Buddhism and
Zen Buddhist, the practice of meditation is the only means to attain
liberation.
• The Lotus that symbolizes purity, the eight-spoke wheels that
represent that dharma, and the different hand gestures(mudras) are
important symbols for Mahayana Buddhists.
19. Subdivision
• Mahayana Buddhism consists of a variety of school and family of religions.
• The teaching of Mahayana Buddhism spread in many Asian nations .
• New concepts from these localities that found articulation in many ritualistic
practices and divine figures.
• The more philosophical side of Indian Mahayana Buddhism was developed within
the context of the two major schools ,the Madhyamika and the Yogachara
• the Madhyamika(intermediate) - whose adherents stress the transformation of
human perception to handle the truth of that which is ultimately real beyond any
duality.
• The Yogachara(Practice of yoga) - thinkers emphasize that the truth a human
being perceives does not exist
20. The Pure Land Sec
• Pure Land Buddhism began in India around the
second century B.C.E, spread to China by the second
century C.E
• Japan around sixth century C.E Thier objective to live
in the "Pure Land of the West "or Shukhavati.
• Reciting the name of the Amitabha with utmost
attentiveness many times during the day , they may be
reborn in this paradise where they can work achieve
enlightenment much easier
• Amitabha - the god who supervises over the western
paradise, is the focus of this sect.
• Shukhavati - people can experience the delight in
hearing Amitabha teach the dharma in preparation for
their entry to nirvana. Aside from meditations,
Buddhist sect utilizes chants and recitations to focus
on helpfully thoughts.
21. The Pure Land Sec
• In Japan simplifying sects practices , such as those
done by the monk Honen in the twelfth century ,
this attracted many followers to the sect Jodo
Buddhism of Jodo - shu ("The Pure Land School")
founded in 1175.
• Rose people who are not able to carry out
mediational intricacies and the long ritualistic
practices can still attain enlightenment by simply
reciting the name of Amitabha with utmost genuine
faith. A form of Buddhism made accessible to
everyone
• An offshoot of Pure Land Buddhism is the Shin
Buddhism or Jodo Shin - shu("The Pure Land
School") founded by another japanese monk Shiran
During the thirteenth century. A discipline of Honan,
Shiran preached the primacy of faith and considered
the act of chanting having no value at all.
22. The Intuitive Sects
• The establishment of intuitive sects of Buddhism can be traced around sixth century C.E. to the work of an Indian
monk named Bodhidharma whose life stories are shrouded with mysteries and numerous legends (Murphy
1949).
• This concept entered China from India, and then carried onward to Korea and Japan. In China, it came to be
known as Ch'an. Ch'an Buddhism has close affinity with Taoist philosophy because both are kinds of mysticism
(Jurji 1946).
• In Japan, it reached its peak with the development of Zen which is a blend of Indian Mahayana Buddhism and
Daoism.
• Followers of this school are called meditative Buddhists. Focusing on meditation as the path to liberation, Zen
Buddhism is basically a monastic discipline (Losch 2001).
• The word for "meditation" in India is dhyana, ch'an in China, and zen in Japan.
• The intuitive sects emphasize that salvation is a personal matter and one cannot receive assistance from other
entities, such as another person or institution, to realize the inner truths of religion. In short, most elements of
religion from scriptures, temples, statues, prayers, and rituals are not essential to achieve enlightenment.
• Modern European thinkers have been attracted to Zen Buddhism because of its concept on simplicity and
intuitive inspiration (Brown 1975).
23. The Rationalist Sects
• A rationalist Buddhist school of thought called T'ien-t'ai
emerged around the sixth century C.E. with its name
originating from a mountain in south- eastern China
where its founder Chih-I or Zhiyi lived
• This sect taught that one must utilize reason and study the
scriptures and doctrines to discover Buddhist truths
(Hopfe 1983).
• Chih-I emphasized that acts of studying and
contemplation were both vital for spiritual enlightenment.
• Other means to reach this goal include mystical
communion with the eternal, ascetic discipline,
meritorious deeds, and simple faith in the mercy of the
Buddha (Jurji 1946).
• In 806 C.E., the teachings of Chih-I were introduced in
Japan by the monk Saicho that came to be known as
Tendai. During the eleventh century, the Buddhist monk
Uicheon established the Cheontae Buddhist school in
Korea
24. Socio-political Sect
• A Japanese Buddhist monk by the name of Nichiren Daishonin who lived during
the thirteeth century during the Kamakura perion began to teach that the path
towards attaining enlightenment rested solely on the devotion to the Lotus Sutra.
• Nichiren Buddhism teaches that individual must take responsibility to enchance
themselve,or what is called "Human evolution", and,in turn,to improve the world's
lot.Enlightenment is accesible to every individual on earth simply by opening one's
inherent Buddha-nature in this world,Nichiren himself is considered a Buddha.
• Nichiren taught that he alone understood Buddhist truths. He believed hat other
Buddhist sects in Japan were corrupting the people towards hell. As he was living
in a degraded stage, Japanese society was also in a state of disarray. For his
missionary work and excessive criticism of rival Buddhist sects in Japan, he made
many influential enemies.
• Nichiren also reproached Japanese authority because of its failure to promote the
Lotus Sutra and for allowing fraudulent Buddhist sects to flourish in the country. To
him, religion and patriotism were one (Jurji 1946Although some of his disciples
were executed, he refused to renege in his principles. In 1274, he was given
freedom and cleared of his wrongful acts.
25. Tibetan Buddhism
• Buddhism was officially introduced into
Tibet around the sevnth century C.E.
during the reign of Songtsan Gampo,
considered the founder of Tibetan
Empire.
• In pre-Buddhistic relighion, Bon was a
kind of shamanism where spirits and
deities were revered(Parrindeer 1971). It
was concerned with the performance of
magic, incantations, and spells.
• Tibetan Buddhism is the use fo magic as a
coping mechanism in the Tibetan way of
life(Hopfe 1983)
• The four major school of Tibetan
Buddhism include Nyingma, Kagyu, Sakya,
and Gelug.
26. Tibetan Buddhism
• The term lamma means “ the superior
one”
• The Dalai Lamma is the most prominent
face of Tibetan Buddhism
• The term dalai means “ocean” in
Mongol referring to the vastness and
depth of the person.
• The current and 14th Dalai Lama is
Tenzin Gyatso who is their leader of
Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism
28. Tibet Invasion
• For centuries both China and India just have been claiming Tibet as part of their territories. In 1950
however China annexed Tibet and negotiate the so-called "Sevententh-Point Agreement"with the
government of the fourteenth Dalai Lama. In 1959,in Dalai Lama failed in his bid to oust China's
puppet rule as the Tibetan uprising was defeated by the more powerful Chinese force
• With the implementation of Mao Zedong's "Great Leap Forward " from 1958 to 1961(China's socio-
economic campaign to transform the country into a socialist society, between 200,000 to 1,000,000
Tibetans tragically met their death.
• Tragically, China's occupation of Tibet has led to countless deaths of many Buddhist monks, nuns, and
laity who wish to continue their religious practices in their native land.
• From 1959-1977 almost all elements of Tibetanian Buddhism were obliterated. Press empty the Dalai
Lima has been continuously visiting other countries preaching a message of hope and peace. He has
been given numerous citizen of various international advocacies and teaching activities such as the
RAMON MAGSAYSAY AWARD COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP(1959) NOBEL PEACE PRIZE (1989) U.S
CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL (2007) and TEMPLETON PRIZE (2012)
29. Engaged Activism
• Rituals suicide led by Buddhist monks has transpired in the 20th century as a form of protest to
governmental actions.
• For example a crisis occurred between Buddhists and the south with Vietnamese Government lead
by Ngo Dinh Diem in the 1960s that has tremendous effect I politics,militancy, and religious
tolerance.
• As the result of this Thich Quang Duc,a Vietnamese Mahayana Buddhist monk he voluntarily burned
himself to death in a busy Saigon road intersection in 1963. Later on,several other monks followed
his example.
• In Japan, a militant and missionary form of Buddhism was founded in 1930 called the Soka Gakkai,a
religious movement based on the teachings of Nichiren Buddhism. During the second world war the
group temporary disband only to emerge mightily after the war. after its hiatus, The member of this
group grew rapidly while employing hardline and continuous recruitment including coercion,
Fear,intimidation. and the use of threats a political party as even formed by the Soka Gakkai,the
Komeito, that became the third most powerful in Japan.
