Lesson 11 master of Buddhism

Lesson 11 -- Mahayana Buddhism

Exercise:
1. What are some of the unique traits of Mahayana Buddhism?

Mahayana Buddhism likes to apply its concepts globally rather than individually as the Theravada school does. For
example, one of the parables in the Lotus Sutra describes a group of travellers who are tired while on a long journey.
Their guide takes them to a wonderful hostel where they can rest for the night. The next morning the hostel has
disappeared and the travellers realize that they must finish their journey without delay. We understand from the parable
that the hostel was the state of enlightenment and that the end goal of the journey is not enlightenment - that is only
a stop along the way. The real goal is to encourage all creatures to seek the end of suffering. This is called the way
of the bodhisattva.

Mahayana is also not so concerned about trying to be a Buddha as that is often unattainable for people. People will set
standards so high for themselves, that the standards cannot be met - hence the idea that only monks can become
enlightened per the Theravada school. It is concerned more with becoming a bodhisattva, to be in service to others,
because everybody can succeed in this even in only a small way.

2. What is necessary in order to attain bodhicitta?

The Mind of Awakening is achieved through the desire to become a bodhisattva. This necessarily entails thoughts of
compassion for people, animals, the world. So a great concern for others is paramount. There must also be the
understanding that all people are different and find themselves in different situations. If we are to be of service to
others, we must have the mind of patience and understanding. When people are in mental pain, they often cannot see past
their own self and that makes it very difficult to help sometimes. The ability to see things from the point of view of
other people is another skill that one should possess because once a person is seen in a different perspective, it
changes one's own ideas about others. This is the beginning of compassion.


3. Why do you think Mahayana Buddhism appeals to such large numbers of people?

Mahayana is designed with ordinary people in mind. It is not about setting up borders between insiders (monks and nuns)
and outsiders (everybody else). Ordinary, everyday people can access the teachings and apply it to their lives right
now. Mahayana also holds out the idea that one may become enlightened in this lifetime, not several lifetimes from now.
One doesn't need to be cloistered away from the world - Mahayana practice IS the world.