Mahayana Buddhism
Mahayana means "great vehicle," and the primary distinction of Mahayana is its emphasis on the enlightenment of all beings. Mahayana idealizes the bodhisattva, an enlightened being who remains in the world to work for the liberation of others.
Mahayana Buddhism
There are a few basic teachings that distinguish all forms of Mahayana and make it distinctive from Theravada. Here is a comparison of Mahayana and Theravada that make these distinctions clear.
There are a few basic teachings that distinguish all forms of Mahayana and make it distinctive from Theravada. Here is a comparison of Mahayana and Theravada that make these distinctions clear.
Origins of Mahayana Buddhism
Mahayana's precise origins are a mystery, but it emerged as a separate school of Buddhism in about the 1st century BCE. Today it is the dominant form of Buddhism in China, Tibet, Japan and Korea.
Mahayana's precise origins are a mystery, but it emerged as a separate school of Buddhism in about the 1st century BCE. Today it is the dominant form of Buddhism in China, Tibet, Japan and Korea.
Madhyamika
The early Mahayana school of Madhyamika focused on the nature of existence and becoming and on the teaching of shunyata, "emptiness." Madhyamika lives on today in Tibetan Buddhism, Ch'an (Zen) Buddhism, and other Mahayana schools.
The early Mahayana school of Madhyamika focused on the nature of existence and becoming and on the teaching of shunyata, "emptiness." Madhyamika lives on today in Tibetan Buddhism, Ch'an (Zen) Buddhism, and other Mahayana schools.
Major Mahayana Sutras
The name sutra (Sanskrit for "thread") in Buddhism originally was given only to the sermons of the historical Buddha, as recognized by the First Buddhist Council (ca. 460 BCE). The works listed here probably were written between 100 BCE and 300 CE by unknown authors. Whatever their origin, they are considered to be sutras in Mahayana Buddhism.
The name sutra (Sanskrit for "thread") in Buddhism originally was given only to the sermons of the historical Buddha, as recognized by the First Buddhist Council (ca. 460 BCE). The works listed here probably were written between 100 BCE and 300 CE by unknown authors. Whatever their origin, they are considered to be sutras in Mahayana Buddhism.
Mahayana Web Links
Links to sites explaining several Mahayana Buddhist schools.
Links to sites explaining several Mahayana Buddhist schools.