MAHAYANA

BUDDHISM
ACTIVITY: JUMBLED LETTER
Direction: Below are jumbled words about the 10
bhumis’ meaning. Find out what the word is to be
familiar with our discussion later.
 What is
Mahayana
Buddhism?

Mahayana Buddhism
has diverged into
numerous schools with
each developing its own
canon and rituals since its
founding more than two
thousand years ago

 Mahayana Buddhism also known

as the “Great Vehicle”
Goal of Training

Mahayana- liberation for all beings

from suffering

Theravada- personal liberation

from suffering
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
The Mahasamghika (“of the
Great Sangha”), one of the
early Buddhist schools, may
have been the source for the
initial growth of Mahayana
Buddhism, especially during
the “Second Buddhist
Council” that occured a
The Mahasamghika (“of Mahayana
Buddhists believed that Siddhartha
secretly taught key priciples to chosen
people to his most dedicated disciples of,
or to the most faithful who could
completely interpret these teachings in
time (Hopfe 1983; losch 2001).
 Mahayana buddhists forwarded the
concept that Siddhartha Gautama
was actually a benevolent celestial
being, not just a mere human being
Mahayana Buddhists
advanced the radical idea
that Siddhartha Gautama
was not the only Buddha.
 SACRED SCRIPTURES

The canon of Mahayana

Buddhism consists of
Tripitaka namely;
 Sutra
Pitaka
(Discourse
Vinaya Pitaka )
(Discipline)

Abhidharma Pitaka
(Ultimate Doctrine)
 Mahayana Buddhism adapted the
Sanskrit usage rather than Pali form
of common terms strictly used in
Theravada Buddhism.
 The Mahayana school possesses
innumerable figures often lacking
in the Theravada literature,
including the bodhisattvas,
demons, divinities, and other
spirits.
 Sutra- pertains to one of
the discourses of the
historical buddha that
comprise the basic text of
buddhist sacred writing.
 One of the most popular and
prominent Mahayana Buddhist
texts (or Sutra) is the Lotus
Sutra that literally means
“correct dharma white lotus
sutra” or Sutra of the Lotus of the
 Wonderful Law” in Sanskrit.
The Lotus Sutra contains the
most definitive teachings of the
Buddha. Pervading most schools
of Buddhism in China, Korea and
Japan by way of the northern
transmission, reciting the texts of
the Lotus Sutra is considered
 A key idea within the influential
sutra is that all people equally
and inherently possess the so-
called “Buddha nature” or
“Buddha-hood” which is the
condition of complete happiness
and freedom from fear and
illusions. In short, the attainment
of enlightenment is open to all
people regardless of gender,
race, social status, and
BELIEFS AND DOCTRINES
The buddha
 he died at
the age of 80

Siddhartha
Gautama
fifth
born in the
he attained tury
or sixth cen
ent nt-
enlightenm C.E in prese
f 35
at the age o day Nepal, is
be t he
he came to considered
known as is t o r ica l B u ddha
h
Gautama in Mahayan
a
Buddha Buddhism.
The concept of trikaya (“three bodies”) pertains to the teaching of
Mahayana Buddhism about the nature of the Buddha and reality.

The nature of the three bodies of

Buddha:

Dharmakaya

Sambhogakaya

Nirmanakaya
 The body Nature or Manifestation
Aspect of
“Buddha-
hood”
Dharmakaya Body of Buddha is
absolute truth; transcendent
absolute nature
of all beings
Sambhogakaya Body that Buddha’s body
experiences of bliss, or
bliss of enjoyment body
enlightenment
Nirmanakaya Body that Buddha’s
manifest the earthly body,
world; just like any
Dharmakaya - is identical with perfect
enlightenment that is absolute and
beyond existence or non-existence.

Sambhogakaya - is already
enlightened but remains distinctive

Nirmanakaya - is the physical body

that undergoes birth, inhabits the
world, and dies in the end.
 Bodhisattvas
One distinct feature of Mahayana
Buddhism concerns its teaching about an
enlightened being or bodhisattva
(“enlightened existence”) which is the
ultimate way for any Buddhist to live in
this word.

 generated bodhicitta or the

spontaneous desire to achieve the
state of being enlightened.
Maitreya (Buddha of the Future”) is the
only accepted bodhisattva in Theravada
Buddhism, oriental Mahayana Buddhism has
other four principal bodhisattvas, namely;

• Avalokiteshvara
is the most revered and most
popular Buddhist deity among all
bodhisattvas, being the
personification of perfect
compassion, probably representing
in Buddhism the sun-god Vishnu of
the older Hinduism (Murphy 1949).
• Manjushri is the embodiment of
wisdom, intelligence, and willpower.

• Ksitigarbha is the one who helps and

liberates all sentient being residing in
hell.

• Samanthabhadra is the
representation of love, virtue, and
diligence
 Bhumis and Paramitas
 Based on the Mahayana tradition, a
boddhisattva must pass 10 bhumis
before attaining the so-called
“Buddha-hood”. These are extension
of “Eightfold Path”.
 The bhumis are frequently associated
with paramitas (perfection).
 A bodhisattva vow is stated as “May I
attain Buddhahood for the benefit of
all the sentient beings.”
 Bhumis and Paramitas
Bhumi Description Paramita Nature
Pramudita- The bodhisattva Dana Paramita Perfection of
bhumi (joyful starts the journey (Generosity) giving or
land) joyful with the generosity
inspiration of
enlightenment
Vimala-bhumi The bodhisattva Sila Paramita Perfection of
(Land of Purity) is purified of (Discipline) morality
immoral conduct
and disposition
Prabhakari- The bodhisattva Ksanti Paramita Perfection of
bhumi is purified of the (Patience) patience for
(Luminous or “Three Poisons”, forbearance
Radiant Land) namely, greed,
hate, and
ignorance
Archismati- The bodhisattva Virya Paramita Perfection of
bhumi (The burns away all (Diligence) energy
Brilliant or false conception
Blazing Land)
Sudurjaya- The bodhisattva Dhyana Paramita Perfection of
bhumi (The gors deeper into (Meditative meditation
Abhimukhi-bhumi The bodhisattva sees Perfection of wisdom
(The Land Looking that all phenomena are
Forward to Wisdom) without self-essence
and understands the
nature of dependent
origination
Durangama-bhumi The bodhisattva
(The Far-Reaching acquires the power of
Land) skilful means (upaya)
to help others realize
enlightenment
Achala-bhumi (The The bodhisattva can no
Immovable Land) longer be disturbed
because “Buddha-
hood” is within sight
Sadhumati-bhumi The bodhisattva
(The Land of Good understands all
Thoughts) dharmas and is able to
teach others
Dharmamegha- The bodhisattva is
bhumi (The Land of confirmed of the
Dharma Clouds) “Buddha-hoof” and
enters “Tushita
Heaven” or the heaven
WORSHIP AND OBSERVANCES

In buddhist temples, they pray and

chant to pay their respect to the
Buddhas and bodhisattvas, such as
Avalokiteshvara, Manjushri, and
Amitabha. They also offer vegetarian
food and light incense to pay homage
to these important divine beings.
WORSHIP AND OBSERVANCES

The lotus that symbolizes purity, the

eight-spoke wheels that represent the
dharma, and the different hand
gestures (mudras) are the important
symbols for Mahayana Buddhism.
Subdivisions
The more philosophical side of Indian
Mahayana Buddhism was developed within
the context of two major schools, namely,
the Madhyamika and the Yogachara (Adams
1965)
Madhyamika (“Intermediate”) whose adherents
stress the transformation of human perception
to handle the truth of that which is ultimately
real beyond any duality.

Yogachara (“Practice of Yoga”) thinkers

emphasize that the truth a human being
perceives does not exist.
Mahayana Buddhism consist of a
variety of schools and family of
religions, including the Pure Land
Sect, Intuitive Sects, Rationalist
Sect, Socio-political Sect, and
Tibetan Buddhism.
The Pure Land Sect
- When believers die, it is their objective to
live in the “Pure Land of the West” or
Sukhavati.

- Amitabha, the god who supervises over a

western paradise is the focus of this sect.
Once in Sukhavati, people can experience
the delight in hearing Amitabha teach the
dharma in preparation for their entry to
nirvana. Aside from meditations, this
Buddhist sect utilizes chants and recitations
to focus on helpful thoughts (Jose and Ong,
2016)
- The intuitive sects emphasize that
salvation is a personal matter and one
cannot receive assistance from other
entities, such as another person or
institution., to realize the inner truths of
religion.

- In short, most elements of religion, from

scriptures, temples, statues, prayers, and
rituals are not essential to achieve
enlightenment. An individual may be
spiritually enlightened by a sudden spark of
insight, either through meditation or even by
accident, beyond words or thoughts.
The Rationalist Sect
- Aside from meditational practices, this sect
taught that one must utilize reason and
study the scriptures and doctrines to
discover Buddhist truths.

- Chih-I, the founder of this sect emphasized

that acts of studying and contemplation were
both vital for spiritual enlightenment. Apart
from instructions on the scriptures and 14
silent meditation, other means to reach this
goal include mystical communion with the
eternal, ascetic discipline, meritorious deeds,
and simple faith in the mercy of the Buddha.
teach that the path towards attaining
enlightenment rested solely on the devotion
to the Lotus Sutra. Nichiren (“sun lotus”)
Buddhism, which is purely a Japanese
phenomenon, perceives itself as the only
rightful version of Buddhism.

- Nichiren Buddhism teaches that

individuals must take responsibility to
enhance themselves, or what is called
“human revolution,” and, in turn, to improve
the world’s lot. Enlightenment is accessible
to every individual on earth simply by
opening one’s inherent Buddha-nature in this
world. A scripture scholar and an activist.
Nichiren himself is considered a Buddha.
Tibetan Buddhism is the use of magic as a
coping mechanism in the Tibetan way of life.
The use of chants and yoga is also part of
Tibetan Buddhism.
- Tibetan Buddhism has its own set of
clergies, the lamas, and they are
commonly senior members of the
monastic community. The term lama
means “the superior one” and lamas are
quite frequently the reincarnation of
previous lamas.
- The Dalai Lama is the most prominent
face of Tibetan Buddhism. The term Dalai
means “ocean” in Mongol referring to the
vastness and depth of the person.
MODIFIED TRUE OR FALSE
Direction: Read the following statements. Write TRUE if
the statement is correct and change the underlined
word or phrase if the statement is incorrect.
WORD CLOUD
Direction: The word cloud below contains various terms (Pali
Canon) about the beliefs and doctrines of Mahayana Buddhism.
Classify or categorize them by writing each word inside the
corresponding box below to which it belongs.
I-EMOTICON-MO!
Direction: Draw 😊 if the statement is correct about the
different subdivisions/sects of Mahayana Buddhism,
otherwise, draw 
REFLECT AND UNDERSTAND
Direction: Explain the statement below.
QUIZ: JUMBLED LETTERS
Direction: Arrange the jumbled letters to reveal the
hidden words that are being described in the following
items.
QUIZ: JUMBLED LETTERS
Direction: Arrange the jumbled letters to reveal the
hidden words that are being described in the following
items.
QUIZ: JUMBLED LETTERS
Direction: Arrange the jumbled letters to reveal the
hidden words that are being described in the following
items.