Mahayana Buddhism

Wood carved statue of a bodhisattva. Bodhisattvas are important to Mahayana Buddhism and are one of the features that differentiats it from other schools.

After the initial establishment of Buddhism, two distinct schools of thought emerged - Hinayana Buddhism and Mahayana Buddhism. While both schools of thought share the same core beliefs, such as the practice of the Four Noble Truths and the prohibition of the five offenses, they differ in the specific texts that they read and venerate. Hinayana Buddhists read and venerate the Sutta Pitaka and the Vinaya Pitaka texts, whereas Mahayana Buddhists venerate the bodhisattvas and read the Mahayana sutras. Mahayana buddhism is a more pluralistic and inclusive approach to Buddhism compared to the more strictly traditional ideologies of Hinayana forms of Buddhism. Today, Mahayana Buddhism is the most prevalent form, with 53% of Buddhists practicing a Mahayana school of Buddhism.  

Mahayana Buddhism is based on the idea that there is the potential for universal liberation from suffering for all beings. This idea is seen in the role of the bodhisattvas - the central figures of Mahayana Buddhism. Bodhisattvas are those who have vowed to achieve enlightenment and become Buddhas, while also vowing to delay entrance into Nirvana once enlightenment has been achieved in order to save others from suffering. Bodhisattvas must practice ten perfections in order to be elevated to Buddhahood, although it is after accomplishing the first six of these perfections that one irreversibly achieves the full Buddha nature. The first six perfections of Bodhisattvas are:

1. Generosity

2. Morality

3. Patience

4. Vigor and diligence

5. Meditation

6. Transcendent wisdom

The perfections after these are aimed not at achieving Buddha nature, but fulfilling the duties of a bodhisattva, with the bodhisattvas becoming more and more identified with the unmanifested body of the Buddha. This devotional lifestyle of bodhisattvas has helped to make Mahayana such a successful religion.  

Mahayana Buddhism also emphasizes the importance and spiritual benefits of adhering to the Mahayana Sutras. There are many Mahayana sutras with some of the most well known being the Lotus Sutra, the Heart Sutra, the Diamond Sutra and the Bodhisattvapiṭaka (the sutra for bodhisattvas). Different schools of Mahayana Buddhism generally place emphasis on different Mahayana Sutras. Another unique characteristic of Mahayana Buddhism is its view of the Buddha as a pentad of buddhas, who each reveal various doctrines. Additionally, Mahayana Buddhism views the Buddha as having three bodies - the physical body, mental body, and unmanifested body of the law. This creates a transcendent and omnipotent image of the buddha that contrasts the traditional image of the Buddha as the original charismatic leader.