MAHAYANA BUDDHISM

• Mahayana Buddhism emerged as a distinctive school

  1st and 2nd centuries CE
• Mahasanghika


  "of the great sangha"
• Sthavira


  "the elders"
• Mahayana initially thought to come from Mahasanghika but has roots in various early schools
• Mahayana contains elements from both Mahasanghika and ancient Sthavira sects
• Mahayana monastic orders


  • Don't follow Mahasanghika's Vinaya
  • Tibetan Buddhism follows Vinaya from Mulasarvastivada (Sthavira)
  • Monastic orders elsewhere follow Vinaya from Dharmaguptaka (related to Theravada)
• The Great Schism's historical impact differs from Theravada vs. Mahayana division
• Mahayana (Great Way) Teachings


  • Aimed at people who want to help others (Bodhisattva Attitude)
  • Focus on increasing compassion and wisdom gradually
  • View the world as changeable, like a dream, influenced by thoughts and actions
  • Spread mainly in northern Asia - Japan, Vietnam, China, Tibet, Korea
  • Also known as Northern Buddhist schools
  • Goal: not just liberation but full enlightenment for everyone's benefit
  • Includes teachings from Theravada
• Compassion and Wisdom


  • In Buddhism, compassion and wisdom are linked
  • Regular meditation creates mental space, reducing difficult thoughts and emotions
  • Recognizing shared human problems strengthens compassion towards others
  • Acting selflessly leads to positive feedback and loosens negative emotions like anger and jealousy
  • With less self-centeredness, wisdom naturally emerges and grows alongside compassion on the spiritual journey
• Enlightenment


  • Buddha was the first recorded person to achieve full enlightenment
  • No inherent difference between Buddha and us; anyone can attain liberation and enlightenment through mental training
  • Buddhism views body, thoughts, and feelings as "empty," lacking a lasting essence or separate self
  • Liberation comes from deeply experiencing this understanding, leading to freedom from taking things personally
  • Enlightenment is the ultimate goal, where positive qualities like joy, fearlessness, and compassion are fully developed
  • Awareness becomes all-encompassing without confusion or disturbance, benefiting others effortlessly
• Fundamental Beliefs


  • Enlightenment can be achieved by following Buddha's teachings
  • The Goal for Mahayana Buddhists may be to become a Bodhisattva, achieved through the Six Perfections
  • Compassion is crucial; Bodhisattvas stay in samsara to help others reach enlightenment
• Six Perfections (Paramita)


  • Means perfection or completeness
  • Mahayana Buddhism emphasizes six perfections for achieving Buddhahood
• The Six Perfections


  • Generosity
  • Morality
  • Patience
  • Energy
  • Meditation
  • Wisdom
• Generosity (Dana paramita)


  Willingness to give to others what they need, whether that be time, possessions or skills. Willingness to give without regret and with joy, and to give without expectation of reward.
• Morality (Sila paramita)


  Following the Dhamma (or Dharma) in all aspects, but not without thinking. Working the Dhamma into one's daily life with intelligence and understanding.
• Patience (Ksanti paramita)


  Also translated as 'tolerance' or 'endurance'. Being patient with others, enduring hardship and accepting the truth of life's unsatisfactoriness (or dukkha).
• Energy (Virya paramita)


  Dedication to attaining Buddhahood. The term commonly translated as "energy", "diligence", "enthusiasm", or "effort". It can be defined as an attitude of gladly engaging in wholesome activities, and it functions to cause one to accomplish wholesome or virtuous actions.
• Meditation (Dhyana paramita)


  Meditation is the foundation of wisdom. Inner focus and calm are essential for the deep understanding required for Buddhahood.
• Wisdom (Prajna paramita)


  Wisdom consists of understanding that all of existence is emptiness (sunyata). This idea is the foundation of all of the paramitas. Wisdom, which means awareness of sunyata, is achieved through the previous five paramitas.