University:
MacEwan University
Course:
HIST 476 | Topics in the History of Religion
Academic year:

2024
Views:

99

Pages:

3
Author:

Arthur M.

3/15 - Theravada, Mahayana, & Vajrayana • The Lotus Sutra very important in East Asia! Main Sutra in many areas • Arguments between which teaching, Mind-Only & Emptiness, is the ultimate teachings • Buddha lies to people (?) to push followers to enlightenment Buddha-Nature • All things are impermanent BUT he contradicts this in Mahayana teachings. - we have a Buddha-nature wlin us! • Why is this important? we are all inwardly enlightened (it's not impossible to obtain) • Kind of similar to Hinduism/Vpanishad teachings (Brahman) Buddha describes how it's NOT Hinduism Theravada do NOT believe this Samsara is Nirvana 4 Theravada do NOT believe (quite radical) We are enlightened but we don't realize it GOALS (difference) Ls cheek Mahayana NOT just enlightening, must help others - it's selfish • COMPASSION 15 very important - similar to WISDOM Taking bodhisattva vows the path to Buddhahood (hard path) you can take a short cut, but long way is to enlighten others & spend 100's of lifetimes Salvation of EVERYONE, even in heaven, hell, & animals HARD but important Theravada = Nirvana they would be annoyed w/ being called selfish (not possible for salvation of EVERYONE) they're just being realistic only monks can reach full enlightenment (lay people cannot) → Mahayana disagrees → laypeople can View of Buddha Theravada: Siddhartha Gautam Buddha is central he's a teacher, exemplar from the past NOT talking to you, NOT around "Historical" Buddha Mahayana: MANY Buddhas & bodhisattvas are worshipped many realms & universes w/ many Buddhas not bound by time & space active helpers in the present AND bodhisattvas are also worshipped & not bound All exist at same time Eternal Buddhas Vajrayana Buddha • Sometimes referred to as the 3rd branch, but is a stem from Mahayana Shared w/ Hinduism!!! Origins = murky "Diamond" Vehicle Also known as "Tantra" & as "Esoteric Buddhism" Teaches "secret" knowledge & techniques It's also like a shortcut BUT very dangerous if not used properly can reach enlightenment in ONE lifetime Techniques & non-dualist teachings visualizations (Intense imagination) initiations mantras (short sacred formulas) Especially important in Tibetan Buddhism Tantras (new texts) in 6th c. CE Image used meditatively the entire universe & reveals enlightenment (in & out of us) teacher impermanence (sand mandalas are swept away) Mandala