A Level Religious Studies: Mahayana Buddism Revision Notes

Mahayana Buddhism So Far

The Council

Why? – Maha Kashyapa concern for the future of the dharma after the Buddha died. 

1^st Council – Maha Kashyapa and many senior monks held a council of 500 arahats to collect the teachings of the Buddha. After asking upali (chief disciple of the Buddha) the vinaya was agreed (monastic discipline). They also questioned Ananda (attendant of the Buddha) on sermons taught by the Buddha – the sutta was established (teachings). Why? To settle an agreement between a group of monks and the elders of the order.

2^nd Council – Over monastic practise – some monks had a lax interpretation of vinaya. They wanted greater freedom in the application of rules of the vinaya. The practises of dissenting monks were unacceptable but they refused to accept the decision of the council known as Mahasanghilias – they were sympathetic to ordinary monks. This led to Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism. The only goal worthy of attainment was Buddhahood. Why? To remove the believers and practises that were not part of the Buddha’s teachings.

3^rd Council – Held at Pataliputra during the reign of Emperor Ashoka (a Buddhist monarch). His reign led to royal patronage of Buddhist monasteries. This led to many non-Buddhists joining the sangha with old beliefs even though they were in the Buddhist order. Unorthodox beliefs were reviewed such as an independent and permanent self and rejected and expelled those who had the ideas from the order. They compiled the teachings to the sutta (teachings) vinaya (monastic discipline) Abdhidharma (Buddha’s philosophy and psychology). Why? To review various Buddhist interpretations after Kanishka got taught different interpretations by different monks.

4^th Council – Held in first century under the patronage of Kanishka. It compiled commentaries on the 3 divisions of Buddhist scriptures (vinaya, sutta, Abhidharma). They have interpretations that were agreed upon by the majority of monks but the council isn’t recognised by Theravada tradition. Add commentaries for understanding further explanation.

The Spread and Development

Started in India 500 BCE. First sangha spread Buddha’s teachings through Northern India. Emperor Ashoka – first Buddhist ruler. Invested money in Buddhism. Sent missionaries to central Asia. Ashoka’s son (or nephew) Mahinda – south India and Sri Lanka. Carried along trade routes to China.

After the Buddha died – spread through all of Asia. Teachings came to be understood differently. Dharma variations occurred – new translations. Schools of Buddhism that were very different emerged – new methods to achieve enlightenment developed.

China – Confucianism – morals, virtues, manners. Taoism – peace, quiet, natural/spontaneous behaviour.

Japan – Shinto – worship kami (nature gods)

Different schools emerged with indigenous beliefs, it absorbed many cultures, customs, practises. Vast array of different schools. The 3 main ones: Theravada, Mahayana, Tibetan.

Can oversimplify distinctions between traditions and overlook connections between all traditions. ALL share fundamental views of Buddha. Buddhism has always been tolerant of diversity.

“The difference between Mahayana and non-Mahayana Buddhism are usually more of a matter of degree and emphasis than of basic opposition.” (Jonathan A. Silk)

Both aim to reach enlightenment, believe in anatta, karma/rebirth, compassion, suffering, 3 poisons, mental training, 4 noble truths, 8 fold path, dependent origination, Buddha as teacher, reject creator God, morality, Samadhi, Pranha, 5 precepts. Doesn’t reject Buddha’s teachings, just interpreted in radical new ways. Mahayana may emphasise one over another.

Differences

Mahayana – Becoming a Buddha, hence fulfilling the destiny of a Bodhisattva, enlightenment and inner peace. Role of Bodhisattva path is more prominent. A Bodhisattva is “a being who has attained enlightenment but postpones nirvana until all other beings are saved”.

Theravada – Becoming an arahat and freeing one’s self from samsara through enlightenment. Goal is only available to monks and nuns. For lay people, it may take many lifetimes. Anyone can do it. 

Mahayana – Delay leaving samsara. Much bigger than 6 realms. Heavenly realms where people help. No distinction between samsara and nirvana because everything is empty of inherent existence.

Theravada – Endless cycle of birth, death and rebirth. Nirvana and samsara are opposites. Conditioned existence. Wish to escape. 6 realms. Dependent on karma.

Mahayana – Monks, nuns, lay people, clergy-people, disciples and monastics. Also follows monk/lay hierarchy. Some monks marry and have families. Enlightenment is accessible to everyone. Equal chances to reach the goal.

Theravada – Sangha; ones who live according to the monastic codes. Distinction between monks and lay people. Role is to follow the vinaya. Lay people practise dana (giving) to monks. Clear hierarchy. Monks try to reach enlightenment, lays support them.

Mahayana – More developed philosophy, inwards not outwards. Developed Theravada. 2 main schools: Yogavara and Madhyamaka.

Theravada – Practical, analyse factors of existence. Less developed.

Mahayana – Great number of bodhisattvas became focus of devotion and faith. People make offerings; wide range of practises that help make spiritual progress. Chanting, ceremonies and rituals. Konas – riddles. Adapt vinaya or abandon.

Theravada – Vinaya has 227 rules. Discipline laid down by Buddha. Must be followed to reach enlightenment. Meditation.

Reasons for Mahayana’s emergence

Rigidity of Theravada – many thought the school had become too rigid. People needed to move away from what became a conservative orthodox version of Buddhism. Mahayana was more flexible, had different perceptions, smaller groups within the school, more popular, can appear in new countries as teachings can be adapted, less Vinaya rules. Less emphasis on monastic way of life.

Hindu Gods and Bhakti influences – Bhakti teaches loves and devotion as opposed to knowledge of jhana (“meditative absorption”). Mahayana had a greater emphasis on devotion and worship. Accessible Gods. Attractive for Hindus as it is similar to their faith. Less emphasis on scripture and precise nature. Appeals to lay people -fits in with their daily life.

Seeds of Mahayana already present – scholars suggested that Mahayana was not a sectarian movement but more teachings that were of interest to small groups. Mahayana was more accepted as it wasn’t seen as new, attractive to Buddhists who wanted more, more complex scriptures and teachings, familiar language and concepts, complete understanding, perfect wisdom -> what is required. Continuity, gradual development of ideas.

“The origins of Mahayana are obscure in the extreme.” (Paul Williams)

Upaya (skilful means)

Lotus Sutra had to explain why teachings are different from the original ones. Uses concept of upaya.

Helps make spiritual progress as Buddha teaches teachings people are ready for. The path of nirvana was given as a preliminary teaching. 

Goal of arhat is a skilful device used by the Buddha to prepare people for the day when he reveals the true goal – Buddhahood.

He taught Theravada as people weren’t ready.

Mahayana – ‘the second turning of the Dharma wheel’.

Lotus Sutra says 5000 monks, nuns and lay people left in disgust at the revelations. They were not ready.

To defend himself, Buddha tells parable of burning house. An old rich man escapes but his sons are unaware of the fire. He calls but they ignore him, so he promises them toys if they leave. He promises goat carts, deer carts and bullock carts. They left and he gave them the best type of cart – white bullock led.

He had to deceive them to save them. The cart is Buddhahood. He lied but gave them something better. Get started on spiritual path -> remove 3 poisons, samsara, suffering.

The story of birth, enlightenment, death is a teaching device. If not, people wouldn’t see urgency and be lazy with Dharma.

Buddha awoke to full enlightenment ages ago – still around today – working to liberate.

Other religions may be an example of upaya to get people started on their spiritual journey. Buddhism is very tolerant of diversity therefore.