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Buddhism: Mahayana Buddhism
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Buddhism died out in India a thousand years ago (though it has recently revived). It spread south to Sri Lanka and South East Asia, where the Theravadin form of Buddhism continues to flourish, and north to Tibet, China, Mongolia, and Japan. The Mahayana forms of Buddhism are still practised in these countries, although in the last century they have suffered greatly from the effects of communism and consumerism. In the last century Buddhism has emphatically arrived in the West, and hundreds of thousands of westerners have become Buddhists.
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Two main branches of Buddhism developed over time through the transmission of Buddhist teachings to other cultures. They are similar in many respects in understanding of Buddha’s teaching and differ mainly with respect to the goal of Buddhist practice. Mahayana defines the goal as the liberation of all beings and Hinayana focuses on one’s own liberation. As a result, Mahayana has identified individuals (bodhisattva and rakan) who have delayed their own liberation from samsara and assist others in their practice.
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"Buddhism is divided into two main traditions, or "vehicles" (Skt. "yana"). The two vehicles consist of what Is called the Hinayana (the lesser or the basic vehicle) and the Mahayana (the great vehicle). There is a fairly common misunderstanding of the term Hinayana, the lesser vehicle. The term "lesser," actually "little," does not mean "inferior." Rather, it is the basic vehicle or the fundamental vehicle, and it is called lower in the same way that one would call the foundation of a house lower than the walls or the roof."
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In Mahayana Buddhism, the universe is populated with celestial buddhas, bodhisattvas, and deities that assist and inspire the Buddhist practitioner. Among the most popular are Kuan Yin, the Medicine Buddha, the Laughing Buddha and the Green and White Taras. These and other fascinating figures are explored in this section.
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Mahayana Buddhism shows a great deal of doctrinal variation and development over time, and even more variation in terms of practice. While there is much agreement on general principles, there is disagreement over which texts are more authoritative.
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The Lotus Sutra is probably the most important text of Mahayana Buddhism. It describes a lecture the Buddha gave and the ideas and thoughts. He discusses all the things that differentiate Mahayana Buddhism from Theravada, such as the idea of a bodhisattva, in particular the bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, the merit of the people who venerate the Lotus Sutra, and the key to nirvana and Buddhahood.
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Mahayana Buddhism