Introduction to World Religions

3. Analyze the brief history, core
teachings, fundamental beliefs,
practices, and related issues of
Mahayana Buddhism.
Objectives

4. INTRODUCTION
▪Mahayana Buddhism is widespread in
China, Mongolia, Korea, Japan, and Tibet.
▪Over the past two thousand years,
Mahayana Buddhism has split into various
schools, each of which has crafted its own
set of teachings and practices.
▪Mahayana Buddhism also known as the
“Great Vehicle”

5. HISTORY
▪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 Parinirvana.

6. HISTORY
▪A council resulted in a religious division
between the Mahasamghika and Sthavira
nikaya, leading to a historical schism. This
led to the emergence of new ideas that
gradually formed a distinct form of
Buddhism, different from the teachings of
Siddhartha Gautama and the beliefs of
Theravada Buddhists. Essentially,
Mahayana Buddhism evolved into a
practically new religion.

7. HISTORY
▪Within the new Buddhist sect, different ideas emerged
regarding the founder, Siddhartha Gautama
1. Mahayana Buddhists believed that Siddhartha secretly taught
important principles to chosen people, to his most dedicated
disciples, or to the most faithful who could completely interpret
these teachings in time.
2. Mahayana Buddhists proposed the concept that Siddhartha
Gautama was not merely a human being, but a compassionate
celestial being. He chose to come to our world in human form out
of love for humanity and a desire to help people.
3. Mahayana Buddhists put forth the radical idea that Siddhartha
Gautama was not the only Buddha. There were other divine beings
that came to our world even before Siddhartha, some of them
came after him, and still others will come in the future. These
beings came to earth to help lessen people’s sufferings and lead
them to salvation.

8. HISTORY
▪Followers of Buddhism found great fascination in
honoring revered beings, understanding their
stories, constructing temples, and creating a new
belief system complete with rituals and hymns.
▪Ironically, while Buddhism spread and gained
followers in various countries, even in remote
areas, it gradually declined in India, its place of
origin. This decline was due to a series of
invasions that destroyed many Buddhist centers
and temples, as well as the rise of other religions
in India, such as Islam, Hinduism, and Jainism.

9. SACRED SCRIPTURES
▪Mahayana Buddhism has 2184 Sutras (sacred
texts)
▪The most popular Mahayana Sutra is:
Lotus Sutra- The Lotus Sutra is a significant Buddhist text
where Shakyamuni shares the ultimate truth he discovered through
enlightenment. It teaches that every person possesses Buddhahood,
which includes qualities like compassion, wisdom, and courage,
regardless of their background.
The sutra encourages individuals to embrace life's difficulties
proactively. Buddhahood is not an escape, but a boundless
wellspring of positive energy that can help alleviate suffering and
contradictions, leading to happiness.

10. BELIEFS AND DOCTRINES
▪ Siddhartha Gautama, born in present-day Nepal in the fifth or
sixth century C.E., is recognized as the historical Buddha in
Mahayana Buddhism. After achieving enlightenment at 35, he
became known as Gautama Buddha and spent the remainder
of his life preaching across India. He passed away at the age
of 80.
▪ The concept of trikaya, meaning "three bodies," is central to
Mahayana Buddhism's teachings on the nature of the Buddha
and reality. According to this doctrine, each Buddha
possesses three bodies:
1. Dharmakaya- as the absolute nature of all beings
2. Sambhogakaya- as the blissful experience of enlightenment
3. Nirmanakaya- as a Buddha in human form

11. BELIEFS AND DOCTRINES
BODHISATTVAS
▪ In Mahayana Buddhism, bodhisattvas play a significant role.
They are enlightened beings who embody the ultimate way of
living and generate bodhicitta, an innate desire for
enlightenment.
▪ Bodhisattvas choose to delay their entry into paradise to help
others attain enlightenment. There are many Bodhisattvas, with
Avalokitesvara (known as Guanyin in Chinese) being the most
well-known in China.
▪ Unlike the Buddha, Bodhisattvas focus on saving suffering
beings in this world rather than seeking personal salvation and
immediate nirvana. They are associated with compassion and
are often depicted adorned with jewelry, elegant clothing, and
graceful postures.

12. BELIEFS AND DOCTRINES
BHUMIS AND PARAMITAS
▪ In Mahayana Buddhism, a bodhisattva follows a path of
progression through 10 "grounds" or Bhumis to become a
Buddha. These Bhumis are connected to the Eightfold Path and
linked to the paramitas, which are qualities that help one
overcome suffering and achieve liberation from rebirth. The first
five paramitas focus on accumulating merits, while the sixth
emphasizes wisdom.
▪ Various Mahayana texts mention the 10 Bhumis, and different
schools may have their own paths of development. The
bodhisattva vow is taken with the intention of attaining
Buddhahood for the benefit of all beings.

13. BELIEFS AND DOCTRINES
SIX PERFECTIONS OF MAHAYANA BUDDHISM
▪ Perfection of Giving
▪ Perfection of Behavior and Discipline
▪ Perfection of Patience
▪ Perfection of Vigour and Diligence
▪ Perfection of Meditation
▪ Perfect of Transcendent Wisdom

14. WORSHIP AND OBSERVANCES
▪ Buddhism includes various practices and rituals to help followers
on their path to enlightenment and seek blessings. In Buddhist
temples, people pray and chant to show respect to Buddhas and
bodhisattvas like Avalokiteshvara, Manjushri, and Amitabha.
▪ They offer vegetarian food and light incense as a sign of respect
to these revered beings.
▪ Followers also recite chants and visit sacred Buddhist sites on
pilgrimages. Meditation is a core practice in most forms of
Buddhism. Symbolism plays a significant role in Mahayana
Buddhism, with the lotus symbolizing purity, the eight-spoked
wheels representing the dharma, and hand gestures called
mudras.

16. SUBDIVISIONS
1. The Pure Land Sect
2. The Intuitive Sect
3. The Rationalist Sect
4. The Socio-political Sect
5. Tibetan Buddhism

17. SELECTED ISSUES
TIBET INVASION
▪ China and India have had a long-standing dispute over Tibet, which was
once independent. However, in 1950, China took control of Tibet and
made an agreement with the Dalai Lama's government called the
"Seventeen Point Agreement." The Dalai Lama rejected this agreement,
but China still maintained authority over Tibet while allowing some self-
rule. In 1959, the Dalai Lama tried to resist China but failed, forcing him
and his followers to flee to India as refugees.
▪ During Mao Zedong's "Great Leap Forward" campaign from 1958 to 1961
and the "Cultural Revolution" from 1966 to 1976, Tibet suffered greatly.
Many Tibetans lost their lives, and numerous monasteries were destroyed
as China aimed to transform its society. The occupation of Tibet resulted
in the loss of many Buddhist monks, nuns, and practitioners who wanted
to continue their religious practices in their homeland.

18. SELECTED ISSUES
TIBET INVASION
▪ Between 1959 and 1977, Tibetan Buddhism was severely
suppressed, with many Tibetans being killed or forced to leave the
country. The Dalai Lama has since become a symbol of hope and
peace, traveling to different countries and receiving international
recognition for his teachings and activism, including awards such
as the Ramon Magsaysay Award, Nobel Peace Prize, U.S.
Congressional Gold Medal, and Templeton Prize.

19. SELECTED ISSUES
TIBET INVASION
▪China and India have long disputed their claims over
Tibet, which had enjoyed some independence. However,
in 1950, China annexed Tibet and established the
"Seventeen Point Agreement" with the Dalai Lama's
government. The Dalai Lama rejected this agreement,
but China maintained its authority over Tibet while
granting some autonomy. In 1959, the Dalai Lama's
attempt to resist China's rule failed, leading him and his
followers to flee to India as refugees.

20. SELECTED ISSUES
TIBET INVASION
▪During Mao Zedong's "Great Leap Forward" campaign
from 1958 to 1961 and the subsequent "Cultural
Revolution" from 1966 to 1976, Tibet faced immense
suffering. Hundreds of thousands of Tibetans lost their
lives, and numerous monasteries were destroyed as
China aimed to transform its society. The occupation of
Tibet resulted in the loss of many Buddhist monks, nuns,
and practitioners who sought to maintain their religious
practices in their homeland.

21. SELECTED ISSUES
TIBET INVASION
▪Between 1959 and 1977, Tibetan Buddhism faced
severe suppression, with many Tibetans killed or
forced into exile. The Dalai Lama has since
become an advocate for hope and peace,
traveling to different countries and receiving
numerous international awards for his teachings
and activism, including the Ramon Magsaysay
Award, Nobel Peace Prize, U.S. Congressional
Gold Medal, and Templeton Prize.