MAHAYANA-Intro-to-world-religionGroup2.pptx

This is a presentation showing infos about the Mahayana Buddhism

1. MAHAYANA BY GROUP 2

2. MAHAYANA G ives us positive ideas of the ultimate issues of life . Mahayana or Great Vessel, offers to all beings a salvation by faith and love as well as by knowledge M ovement that arose within Indian Buddhism around the beginning of the Common Era B ecame by the 9th century , the dominant influence on the Buddhist cultures of Central and East Asia, which it remains today. O rigins of Mahayana Buddhism remain obscure; the date and location of the tradition’s emergence are unknown, and the movement most likely took shape over time and in multiple places .

3. Mahayana Buddhism has a vast collection of sacred texts, many of which are considered sutras (discourses attributed to the Buddha). Lotus Sutra — a sermon by the Buddha on Bodhisattva, buddha-nature, etc. Perfection of Wisdom Sutra (Prajna-paramita) — describes emptiness and others. Heart Sutra— describes nirvana, emptiness, and Ultimate Reality.

4. In Mahayana Buddhism, temples serve as the primary sacred spaces for worship . Buddhists go on pilgrimages to places associated with Buddha's life. These places include ; his birthplace, Lumbini Grove, the place of enlightenment, Bodh Gaya, the place of his first sermon, Sarnarth, and the place he died, Kusinara.

5. Common Practices and Observances Prostrations : Bowing down before Buddha images, stupas, or sacred objects demonstrates respect and devotion. Mantras : Sacred syllables or phrases repeated for meditation and devotion. The most famous is "Om Mani Padme Hum," associated with the bodhisattva of compassion, Avalokiteshvara. Offerings : Food, incense, flowers, or other items are presented to altars, monks, or nuns as expressions of devotion and merit-making. Chanting : Engaging with Buddha's teachings, fostering devotion and mindfulness. Meditation : Central to Buddhism, cultivating mindfulness and concentration through techniques like breath awareness or mantra recitation. Pilgrimage : Visits to sacred sites, such as temples in Lhasa, Tibet, or Kyoto, Japan, express devotion and seek spiritual nourishment

6. Mahayana Buddhism doctrine states that dualities, such as good and evil, existence and nonexistence, are false. Therefore, even fundamental notions such as samsara (the cycle of birth and rebirth) and nirvana cannot be sustained.

7. T hree body doctrine of Mahayana Buddhism the dharmakaya, the body of ultimate reality; the sambhogakaya, the body of joy; and the nirmanakaya, the Buddha's conditioned, human body of flesh and blood.

8. Mahāyāna Buddhists accept the classic Buddhist doctrines found in early Buddhism (i.e. the Nikāya and Āgamas), such as the Middle Way, Dependent origination, the Four Noble Truths, the Noble Eightfold Path, the Three Jewels, the Three marks of existence and the bodhipakṣadharmas (aids to awakening).

9. How women are treated Mahayana Buddhism's views on women are complex and multifaceted. Women were encouraged to become Buddhists, but had a longer initiation period to become a nun and had to follow more rules than the men

10. Major Teachings The three main aspects of Mahayana Buddhism are the importance of the sutras, the significance of bodhisattvas and the religious communities they lead, and the importance of meditation. Meditation is sometimes accompanied by the recitation of sutras.

11. I mplies understanding ideas such as that the nature of all things is emptiness and everything is dependent on everything else to exist. In addition, the bodhisattvas seek to understand reality through wisdom and make sense of it through compassion.