Download Mahayana Buddhism

 More
liberal form of
Buddhism
 Mahayana means
“Great Vehicle”
• Largest of the three
Buddhist schools
• Anyone can become a
buddha
 Primarily
concentrated
in China, Japan, Korea,
and Vietnam

By the 1st century, Mahayana
became its own Buddhist school

Separated from Theravada school

Accepted new sutras written in
Sanskrit credited to the Buddha

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Believe anyone could attain
enlightenment (without being a
monk)
Greatest Mahayana philosopherNagarjuna who taught:
• Samsara and Nirvana are really
one and the same (emptiness)
• The world is fluid, constantly
changing
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The ideal path for followers is to strive to become
bodhisattvas, those who postpone nirvana to help
others reach enlightenment.
Believe selfless action is more commendable than
reaching enlightenment.
Their goal is to follow the way of
Buddha and reach nirvana, but
then share it with others.
 Compassion
and wisdom
are the highest virtues
 Emphasizes intuition and
encourages practice out
in the world
 Believe that the Buddha is
the one sign of a power
that is greater than
common human
knowledge
Platform Sutra
 Composed in China
 Centered around
sermons given at Shao
Zhou temple
 Discuss true Nature and
Sudden Enlightenment
Linji Lu
 A Chinese Buddhist
Scripture
 The
Appearance Body is the body appeared to
the world, manifesting itself for the benefit of
all beings.
 The
Dharma Body was the Buddha as the
embodiment of truth.
 The
Enjoyment Body was the Buddha as he
appears in the celestial realms to the
Bodhisattvas.
 Vary
depending on location.
 Dietary
restrictions only, with no clear
statement of what is “forbidden.”
 Avoided
by the majority, but not prohibited:
beef, pork, all meat, fish, and shellfish.
 Foods
such as eggs and dairy are permitted,
but not highly encouraged.

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For Mahayana Buddhists, daily worship
usually takes place in one’s home at a
shrine. An image of the Buddha and a
flower vase are usually present in the
shrine.
In Mahayana Buddhism the importance
of Buddha’s day is the washing of the
Buddha’s images. It is celebrated in
Japan, China, and Korea on the eighth
day of the fourth lunar month.
Mahayana Buddhism also celebrates the
life of bodhisattva Kuan Yin. Her
birthday is celebrated on the 19th day
of the second lunar month, her
enlightenment on the 19th day of the
sixth month, and her entry into nirvana
on the 19th day of the ninth month.
To help further flesh out the Eightfold Path,
Mahayana Buddhism has 6 perfections:
 the
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perfection of giving
the perfection of ethics
the perfection of patience
the perfection of joyous effort
the perfection of concentration
the perfection of wisdom