REL The Mahāyāna Buddhism Overview(chapter 5)

  • Practice of the Eightfold Path

    • A modeling process reflecting how a Buddha would live.

    • Factors of self-transformation:

    • Intellectual restructuring

    • Emotional restructuring

    • Moral restructuring

    • Shift from selfish objectives to broader horizons of fulfillment.

    • Through knowledge (paññā) and moral virtue (sīla), ignorance and desire are overcome to attain nirvana.

  • The Buddha’s Legacy and the Great Schism

    • Absence of a successor left interpretation of Dharma open to followers leading to diverse traditions.

    • The schism occurred about a century after the Buddha's death between:

    • Elders (Sthaviras)

    • Universal Assembly (Mahāsaṁghikas)

    • Disagreements centered on doctrinal issues, particularly on the superiority of the Buddha over an Arhat and modifications to monastic rules.

    • The schism also reflected Buddhism's expansion and response to new ideas and customs, ultimately leading to the spread of Mahāyāna.

  • Introduction to Mahāyāna Buddhism

    • Means ‘Great Vehicle’, deemed a universal path to salvation.

    • Originally emerged around 100 BC to AD 100.

    • Emphasis on saving others over self, establishing the bodhisattva ideal – a commitment to help others attain enlightenment over countless lifetimes.

  • Bodhisattva Ideal

    • Everyone in Mahāyāna is considered a bodhisattva in their spiritual journey.

    • Bodhisattvas practice selfless love (compassion) akin to Christian agape.

    • They guide others through example, encouragement, and teaching.

  • Redefining the Role of the Buddha

    • Buddha’s depiction evolved to that of a semi-divine being; perceived as existing in a transcendent realm post-mortem.

    • Bhūta seen as compassionate and a benevolent figure still working for the welfare of beings.

    • Development of cosmology incorporating the 'Three Bodies' (Trikāya):

    • Nirmāṇakāya: The physical earthly form

    • Sambhogakāya: Heavenly form

    • Dharmakaya: The ultimate truth

    • Influence of Maitreya and ideas of a future Buddha’s return similar to a 'Second Coming'.

  • Emergence of Mahāyāna Texts

    • New scriptures appeared claiming to expand on the Buddha’s teachings, often anonymously authored.

    • Mahāyāna doctrines seen as fulfilling and enhancing early teachings rather than contradicting them.

    • Lotus Sūtra introduces the notion of 'skillful means' (upāya-kauśalya) as a method for teaching deeper truths to novices.

  • Bodhisattva Path and Perfections

    • Bodhisattva’s journey involves awakening the 'thought of enlightenment' (bodhicitta) and taking vows for the benefit of all beings.

    • Six Perfections (pāramitās):

    1. Generosity (dāna)

    2. Morality (sīla)

    3. Patience (ksanti)

    4. Courage (virya)

    5. Meditation (samādhi)

    6. Wisdom (prajñā)

    • Progression through ten stages (bhūmi) toward nirvana, with advances becoming indistinguishable from Buddha’s powers.

  • Philosophical Developments

    • Nāgārjuna’s Madhyamaka:

    • Challenges early Buddhist views on dharmas, emphasizing emptiness and arguing for an understanding of nirvana and samsāra being on the same spectrum.

    • Concepts of emptiness (śūnyavāda) and correct perception as pathways to liberation.

    • Emergence of Yogācāra (mind-only doctrine), emphasizing consciousness as the fundamental reality.

  • Innovations and Cultural Influences

    • Mahāyāna did not reject but reinterpreted earlier teachings, seeing itself as recovering the true essence of the Buddha’s message.

    • Concepts of compassion and individual responsibility reformulated into a communal effort for enlightenment.

    • Speculated blend of cultural influences leading to an increase in devotional practices, though possibly autonomous developments.

  1. Clarification Questions:

    • "Can you explain the concept of the Eightfold Path in more detail?"

    • "What do you mean by 'moral restructuring' in the context of self-transformation?"

  2. Opinion Questions:

    • "What are your thoughts on the significance of the Mahāyāna ideal of saving others over oneself?"

    • "How do you view the evolution of the Buddha's role as depicted in Mahāyāna Buddhism?"

  3. Reflection Questions:

    • "Can anyone relate the bodhisattva path to their understanding of compassion in their lives?"

    • "What challenges do you think individuals face in practicing the Six Perfections?"

  4. Summary Questions:

    • "What key takeaways do you have about the impact of the Great Schism on Buddhist traditions?"

    • "Can someone summarize the main concepts in Nāgārjuna's Madhyamaka philosophy?"

  5. Hypothetical Questions:

    • "If we adopted the bodhisattva ideal more broadly in society, what changes might we see?"

    • "What would happen if a new school of thought emerged in Buddhism today?"

  6. Probe for Examples or Evidence:

    • "Can you provide an example of how skillful means (upāya-kauśalya) is applied in teaching?"

    • "What historical events or practices illustrate the development of Mahāyāna texts?"