Mahayana Buddhism

Mahayana Buddhism

1. Origins

   • No clear origin. 2nd Buddhist council held coz of debates about orthodoxy. BUT... there were traditionally many schools and we have evidence of monks from the 2 living side by side.
     • Developed from a back to basics movement; emphasis on compassion as the Buddha's motivation and reimagine of no-self as sunyata.

2. Upaya

   • Meaning = Skilful means. Found in the Lotus Sutra
     • invovles many parables, one of which is the Parable of the Burning House.
       • Father is calling for his kids to flee from their house that's on fire. The kids are playing and do not want to escape. instead, the father promises beautiful carts for them to play in instead of their old toys. They listen and flee from the house and see carts that are way more beautiful than what the father had promised.
         • Lotus Sutra
           • Large collection of texts/doctrines. This is where all of the parables are found. The 7 parables were put in form by Robert K.C Forman from his book; "The Innate capacity"
         • The house represents the world of suffering and trapped in samsara, the children represent sentient beings and the father represents the Buddha highlighting that you can give up your attachments for greater ones

3. Bodhisattva

   • How do they differ from Arhats?
     • Arhats follow Theravada Buddhism which holds the main goal of reaching enlightenment without helping others. it conveys the idea of self-enlightenment and not returning to the world of suffering.
   • What are their goals?
     • They follow closely with the Buddha's idea of enlightenment. they find that helping others is most important and therefore choose to return to the world of suffering to help others reach the enlightened state. links to the Buddhas teachings of the crossing of the river with a raft.

4. Trikaya

   • The 3 Bodies of the Buddha.
     • 1. Dharmakaya = described by Trungpa as the "basics of unborness".
     • 2. Sambhogakaya = the body of bliss/enjoyment. The Buddha is everything
     • 3. Nirmanakaya = Buddha's earthly body that was supposedly existing in real life
   • *there are three because it shows the inclusiveness of the idea; everyone, everywhere can be enlightened.*

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