human personality - mahayana

• Mahayana Buddhism

  Also known as popular Buddhism, it includes different types of Buddhism such as Pure Land Buddhism, Zen Buddhism and Tibetan Buddhism.
• Sunyata

  Emptiness; the concept that nothing has a separate independent self or soul.
• Anatta


  No self/ no soul - humans.
• Buddha Nature


  The idea that everyone has the essence of a Buddha inside them. This is hidden by desires, attachments, ignorance and negative thoughts. One can experience their inner-Buddha nature when they fully understand the Buddha's teachings.
• Uttaratantra Shastra - explanation of Buddha nature

  Like honey surrounded by bees. The honey is sweet but it isn't possible to eat whilst it's surrounded by bees. To experience the sweetness of the honey, you need to get rid of the bees.
• Buddhahood


  Mahayana Buddhists hope to achieve this when they become a Buddha.
• Pure Land Buddhism


  A denomination of Buddhism that taught that believers would be reborn in a blissful, pure land or paradise. Based on the faith of Amitabha Buddha and his paradise.
• Amitabha Buddha

  Buddha of the Western Paradise, he is believed to have created a paradise (pure land) when he became enlightened.
• Sukhavati

  The paradise where Amitabha Buddha lives, and where Pure Land Buddhists aim to be reborn.
• The Pure Land


  Perfect conditions for enlightenment, far west beyond the boundaries of our own world, a perfect paradise, contains no barriers to enlightenment (eg. suffering), all beings born here are certain to reach enlightenment, people can be taught by Amitabha himself.
• The Larger Sukhavativyuha Sutra - The Pure Land

  "rich in a great variety of flowers anf fruits, adorned with jewel trees... frequented by flocks of birds with sweet voices,"
• T'an-luan

  Founder of Pure Land Buddhism in China
• Five Practices to reach the Pure Land

  (1) Reciting scriptures(2) Meditating on Amitbha and his paradise(3) Worshipping Amitbha(4) Chanting Amitbha's name(5) Making praises and offerings to Amitbha