Mahayana & Theravada (Two Branches) | MacEwan University

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

2024
Views:

212

Pages:

3
Author:

Arthur M.

3/13 - Mahayana & Theravada (2 branches) 3 Jewels: Buddha, The Dharma, The Sangha Become a Buddhist by taking refuge in the 3 Jewels. The Sangha community: Monastic and possibly lay Theravada/Lay goal: Not nirvana, but a meaningful life By dana (charity) and supporting the Sangha Monks goal: Nirvana Many in the past didn't practice meditation: Hundreds of forms/practices (shamatha & vipashyana) Theravada The Doctrine of the Elders Theravada Buddhists see themselves as faithful inheritors of the Buddha's original teachings: NOT "early" Buddhism Mahayana The Great Vehicle See themselves as inheritors of the Buddha's higher teachings: Save EVERYONE Sometimes refer to Theravada as Hinayana (Little Vehicle) Geography Theravada: South & Southeast Asia (Sri Lanka, Burma, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia) Mahayana: South & East Asia (Nepal, Bhutan, Tibet, Mongolia, China, Korea, Japan, Vietnam) Proliferation of Buddhism The map highlights the spread of Buddhism across Asia, with Korea, China, and Japan being primarily Mahayana due to Chinese influence. Theravada Mahayana Scriptures Scriptures * Pali Sthiras (containing early teachings of the Buddha) * Sanskrit Sutras (said to contain additional, higher teachings of the Buddha) - "Thus I have heard" - "Thus I have heard" - Do NOT accept Sanskrit Sutras - VAST - Still believe in Pali Sutras - * upaya = skillful means Teachings Teachings * 4 noble truths, Eight-fold Path, No-Self, Impermanence * Additionally teaches "emptiness," Mind-Only, & Buddha-Nature * Nirvana - an ineffable state beyond samsara * Samsara is nirvana * Physical indivisible particles & the mind * Emptiness drill down to everything - Nothing is real - all momentary - No permanent self & no actual world - dharmas = particles that can't be broken down (fundamental things that are "real") - No existence, emptiness - * NO waking state (everything is empty) & enlightenment is just realizing emptiness * Taught by The Perfection of Wisdom Sutra (single syllable to describe is a prajna (ox. 37) which negates (empty)) Mind-Only Teachings 5 categories (physical form/external objects, & more) Taught previously Mind-only → no physical forms, ONLY mental Disembodied minds Reality is all in our mind → our brains just organize & interpret We only think we're perceiving physical objects (like dreams) Teaches the cessation of existence Middle Way asceticism (non-existence) nihilism (non-existence) indulgence externalism (existence)