Mahayana Buddhism - Group 3 - PPT

Mahayana
Buddhism
Mahayana Buddhism has
diverged into numerous schools
with each developing its own
canon and rituals since its
founding more than two thousand
years ago.
Mahayana Buddhism also known

as "Great Vehicle” emerged out
of the monastic rule and doctrinal
differences within the original
Mahayana Buddhism is
widespread in China, Mongolia,
Korea, Japan and Tibet. With its
openness to more traditional
religious views, it has developed
a wide appeal to common people
and gained tremendous ground in
becoming one of the most
successful missionary religion the
world (Jose and Ong, 2016).
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
As stated by Cornelio et al. (2016), the

beginnings of the Mahayana set of
scriptural texts date as far back as the 1st
century B.C.E. At around the 1st century
C.E. a monk by the name of Nagarjuna
provided a systematic philosophical
articulation of Buddhist doctrine that later
The Mahasamghika (“of the Great
Sangha”), one of the early Buddhsit
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 parinirvana.
Sthavira nikaya (“Sect of the
Elders”), another major Buddhist
school, transpired during the said
council. These new ideas eventually
concretized resulting in a new form if
Buddhism quite different from the
original teachings taught by
Siddhartha Gautama and to those
accepted by Theravada Buddhists.
SACRED
SCRIPTURES OF
MAHAYANA
BUDDHISM
Mahayana Buddhism includes many sacred writings
which are nearly identical in content with the Pali Canon
of the Theravada sect.
The Canon of Mahayana Buddhism also consists of the

Tripitaka such as:
1. Sutra Pitaka (Discourse)
2. Vinaya Pitaka (Discipline)

Lotus Sutra
One of the most popular and prominent

Mahayana Buddhist texts or sutras. Literally
means “correct dharma white lotus sutra” or
“Sutra of the Lotus of the wonderful Law” in
Sanskrit. A sutra pertains to one of the
discourses of the historical Buddha that
comprise the basic text of Buddhist sacred
writing.
BELIEFS AND
DOCTRINES OF
MAHAYANA
BUDDHISM
The Buddha
Siddhartha Gautama, born in the fifth or

sixth century C.E. inpresent-day Nepal, is
considered the historical Buddha in
Mahayana Buddhism. After he attained
enlightenment at the age of 35, he came
to be known as Gautama Buddha and
spent the rest of his life preaching across
The concept of trikaya (“three
bodies”) pertains to the teaching
of Mahayana Buddhism about
the nature of the Buddha and
reality.
Bodhisattvas
Bodhisattva or “enlightened existence” is the

ultimate way for any Buddhist to live in this world.
A Bodhisattva has generated bodhicitta or the
spontaneous desire to achieve the state of being
enlightened. The attainment of nirvana is not
confined to one’s self as an arhat (“perfect one”)
but must be shared to all striving
The Maitreya (“Buddha of the Future”) is the only accepted
bodhisattva in Theravada Buddhism, the oriental Mahayan Buddhism
has four other principal Bodhisattvas such as:
1. Avalokiteshvara
- The most revered and most popular Buddhist deity among the
Bodhisattvas. It is the personification of perfect compassion, probably
representing in Buddhism the sun-god Vishnu of the older Hinduism.
2. Manjushri
- Is the embodiment of wisdom, intelligence, and willpower.
3. Ksitigarbha
- It is the one who helps and liberates all sentient beings residing in hell
4. Samanthabhadra
- It is the representation of love, virtue and diligence.
Bhumis and Paramitas
As explained by Jose and Ong, (2016), that based on the

Mahayana tradition, a bodhisattva must pass 10 bhumis
(“grounds” of “land”) before attaining the socalled
“Buddha-hood”. These are the extension of the “Eightfold
Path” as discussed in the previous lesson on Theravada
Buddhism. The bhumis are frequently associated with the
paramitas (“perfections”), translated to as “to cross over
the other shore,” paramitas imply crossing from the “sea of
suffering” to the “shore of happiness.”
WORSHIP AND
OBSERVANCES OF
MAHAYANA BUDDHISM
Buddhism integrates an
assortment of religious practices
and devotional rituals with the
objective of aiding worshippers in
their journey toward
enlightenment and in bringing
blessings to everyone. In
Buddhist temples, they pray and
chant to pay their respect to the
Buddhas and bodhisattvas, such
as:
(1) Avalokiteshvara, (2)
They also offer vegetarian food
and light incense to pay homage to
these important divine beings.
Mahayana temples are sacred
spaces. Mahayana rituals can be
quite elaborate with the addition of
other disciples of Siddhartha
Gautama and important
bodhisattvas.
SUBDIVISIONS
AND SELECTED
ISSUES OF
MAHAYANA
BUDDHISM
Subdivisions
The more philosophical side of Indian Mahayana
Buddhism was developed within the context of the
two major schools, namely:
1. Madhyamika (“Intermediate”)
- Adherents stress the transformation of human
perception to handle the truth of that which is
ultimately real beyond any duality.
2. Yogachara (“Practice of Yoga”)

- Thinkers emphasize that the truth a human being
perceives does not exist.
The Socio-political Sect
Japanese Buddhist, Nichiren Daishonin,

teach that the path towards attaining
enlightenment rested solely on the devotion to the
Lotus Sutra. Nichiren (“sun lotus”) Buddhism, which
is purely a Japanese phenomenon, perceives itself
as the only rightful version of Buddhism.
Tibetan Buddhism
One of the major distinguishing features of Tibetan Buddhism is

the use of magic as a coping mechanism in the Tibetan way of
life. The use of chants and yoga is also part of Tibetan Buddhism.
In utilizing manuals (tantra) for one’s magical instructions to
handle the unknown, it is also known as Tantri Buddhism. The
four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism are the following:
1.Nyingma
2.Kagyu
3.Sakya
4.Gelug
The Significance
of Monastic
Clothing
The Significance of Monastic Clothing
The clothing worn by Mahayana monks and nuns is

not just a uniform but a meaningful instrument
representing the higher spiritual life in Buddhism.
The design and rules governing the robes are
believed to have been intentionally established by
the Buddha to guide monks towards their aim of
spiritual liberation.
The Dharma Robe: A Symbol of Simplicity
The Dharma robe, a common garment worn by lay

practitioners in Mahayana Buddhism, is often
associated with simplicity and detachment.
Historically, lay disciples wore white coarse fabric,
considered "lowly," to discard their status before
entering the dharma hall.
The Importance of Mindfulness and Humility
The original intent of the Dharma robe was to

represent simplicity and detachment from material
possessions. It is important to remember that the true
essence of spiritual growth lies in the practice of the
Dharma, not in the outward appearance of clothing.
While there are no strict clothing rules for lay
practitioners in Mahayana Buddhism.
THANK YOU
FOR
LISTENING!

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Mahayana

Mahayana Buddhism also known

As stated by Cornelio et al. (2016), the

The Canon of Mahayana Buddhism also consists of the

1. Sutra Pitaka (Discourse)

2. Vinaya Pitaka (Discipline)

One of the most popular and prominent

Siddhartha Gautama, born in the fifth or

Bodhisattva or “enlightened existence” is the

As explained by Jose and Ong, (2016), that based on the

2. Yogachara (“Practice of Yoga”)

Japanese Buddhist, Nichiren Daishonin,

One of the major distinguishing features of Tibetan Buddhism is

The clothing worn by Mahayana monks and nuns is

The Dharma robe, a common garment worn by lay

The original intent of the Dharma robe was to

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