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Buddhism by country. Religion portal. v. t. e. Mahāyāna ( / ˌmɑːhəˈjɑːnə / MAH-hə-YAH-nə; Sanskrit: महायान, pronounced [mɐɦaːˈjaːnɐ], lit. 'Great Vehicle') is a term for a broad group of Buddhist traditions, texts, philosophies, and practices developed in ancient India ( c. 1st century BCE onwards).
- History
- Mahayana Sutras
- Doctrine
- See Also
- Sources
- Further Reading
Origins
"The orgins of the Mahayana remain a subject of scholarly debate." Most scholars agree that "around the beginning of the Christian era there began to emerge scriptures that challenged certain established Buddhist teachings and ways of understanding, and which advocated what is represented as a superior path of practice leading to a superior understanding." The defining characteristics of these new texts was the "superiority of Guatama's awakening to that of his disciples".
Origin of the term "Mahayana"
According to contemporary scholar Jan Nattier, the term Mahāyāna ("Great Vehicle") was originally an honorary synonym for Bodhisattvayāna ("Bodhisattva Vehicle") — the vehicle of a bodhisattva seeking buddhahood for the benefit of all sentient beings. The term Mahāyāna was therefore formed independently at an early date as a synonym for the path and the teachings of the bodhisattvas. Since it was simply an honorary term for Bodhisattvayāna, the creation of the term Mahāyānaand its application...
Earliest inscriptions
The earliest stone inscription containing a recognizably Mahāyāna formulation and a mention of the Buddha Amitābha was found in the Indian subcontinent in Mathura, and dated to around 180 CE. Remains of a statue of a Buddha bear the Brāhmī inscription: "Made in the year 28 of the reign of King Huviṣka, ... for the Blessed One, the Buddha Amitābha." There is also some evidence that Emperor Huviṣka himself was a follower of Mahāyāna Buddhism, and a Sanskrit manuscript fragment in the Schøyen Co...
The Mahayana sutras are key texts of the Mahayana tradition. These texts appeared in Northern India sometime after the death of the Buddha. They are considered to be the word of the Buddha within the Mahayana tradition, but they are generally not considered as authentic teachings of the Buddha within the Theravadatradition. The Mahayana sutras are ...
The key doctrines of the Mahayana include: 1. Buddhahood 2. Bodhisattvaideal 3. Prajnaparamita- perfection of wisdom teachings 4. Three vehicles 5. Skillful meansof the buddhas 6. Trikaya (lit. "three bodies of a buddha") - three dimensions of buddhahood 7. Tathāgatagarbha - the seed or essence of enlightenment (bodhi) 8. Buddha-nature - the basic ...
Buswell, Robert E.; Lopez, Donald S. (2014), The Princeton Dictionary of Buddhism, Princeton University"Mahayana". Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica. 2002.Nattier, Jan (2003), A Few Good Men: The Bodhisattva Path According to the Inquiry of Ugra (Ugraparipṛcchā), University of Hawaii PressSuzuki, D. T. (1914). The Development of Mahayana Buddhism, The Monist24, 565-581Suzuki, D. T. (1908). Outline of Mahayana Buddhism, Open Court, ChicagoWilliams, Paul (1989). Mahayana Buddhism. Routledge.Mahayana, lit. "great vehicle", A major branch of Buddhism practiced in China, Tibet, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, and Taiwan. Main goal is to achieve buddhahood or samyaksambuddha: Sanskrit: mahāyāna; Bur: မဟာယာန mahayana (IPA: [məhàjàna̰]) 大乘 or 大乗 Cn: Dàshèng; Jp: Daijō; Vi: Đại thừa; Mn: Ikh khölgön
Aug 17, 2021 · Definition. Mahayana Buddhism is the largest Buddhist sect in the world, and its beliefs and practices are what most non-adherents recognize as "Buddhism" in the modern era.
- Joshua J. Mark
Mahayana ( Sanskrit: महायान, mahāyāna, literally the "Great Vehicle") is one of the three main branches of Buddhism. Mahayana Buddhism initially developed in Gandhara (modern-day Pakistan ). Zen is a kind of Mahayana that is influenced by Confucianism .
Dec 15, 2022 · What is Mahayana Buddhism in simple words? Mahayana Buddhism is an eastern spiritual practice aimed at helping people achieve awakening or become a Buddha. The state of awakening implies a compassionate and peaceful state of mind that is free of hatred, attachment, and suffering.
Mahayana (Skt, “Great Vehicle” or “Great Path”) is one of the primary branches of Buddhism. It is the dominant form of Buddhism in China, Japan, Korea, and Southeast Asia. In Tibet, it developed into Vajrayana.
