Religion of India - Mahayana and Trikaya
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Mahayana: Great Vehicle
- When the Buddha died, according to orthodox theory, the chain of his existence was broken.
- He finally entered the Nirvana which he had realized at his enlightenment and ceased to be an individual.
- But soon after his death, his followers evolved thee Three Jewels, which forms the basic profession of faith of Buddhism.
- The Jataka stories show that Bodhisattavas can be incarnated as men or even as animals.
- According to the older doctrine of the Bodhisattavas works in wisdom and love through many lives so that he may become a Buddha.
- Therefore, anybody, having the qualities of Buddha can become Buddha.
- The idea of transference of merit is a special feature of the teaching of the Great Vehicle.
- The suffering of Bodhisattavas closely resembles the Christianity conception of God; it seems that they were influenced by the Christianity which was prevalent in Persia.
- The Universe of the Great Vehicle contains a number of Bodhisattavas, chief of whom, is
- Avalokitesvara (The Lord who Looks Down) also called Pandmapani (The Lotus Bearer)
- Manjusri which naked sword in the one hand and the book on the other hand with ten Paramittas:
- Charity (Dana) ,
- Good Conduct (Sila) ,
- Forbearance (Ksanti) ,
- Courage (Virya) ,
- Meditation (Dhyana) ,
- Insight (Prajna) ,
- To achieve salvation (Upayakausalya) ,
- Resolution (Pranidhana) ,
- Power (Bala) ,
- Knowledge (Jnana)
- Vajrapani: a sterner Buddha, against sin, like Indra , bears Thunderbolt in his hand
- Maitreya: future Buddha
- Kisthigrabha: Guardian of Purgatories
- Ambitabh (Immeasurable God) Presiding over Sukhvati (Highest Mahayana Heaven) called Ambitabh or Amitayus, Father of Heaven
Trikaya
- Dharmakaya: Bodies of Essence - permeated the universe
- Sambhogakaya: Body of Bliss
- Nirmankaya: Created Body or Rupaka The Body of Essence is sometimes referred as Adhi Buddha, the Primeaval also described as the void (Sunya) , the true (Tattva) , Wisdom (Bodhi) , The Womb of those who attain the Goal (Tathagatgarbha) .
The Vehicle of Thunderbolt:
- Vajrayana or Sahajana or Sahajiyas or Mantravana Importance given by Yogacara school
- Prajnapratima: the faminine divinities in Mahayana
- It is also called Kalachakrayana (10th AD)
- The Vjrayana ideas were developed and codified under the Pala King
- Thunderbolt can be best attained by acquiring magical power Finally, Buddhas and Boddhisattavas were endowed with wives (Sakti)
Buddha | Wives |
---|---|
Adhi Buddha | Sakti |
Buddha | Tara |
Aksebhoya | Arya Tara |
Ratnasambhava | Lochana |
Amitabh | Mamaka |
Amoghasiddhi | Pandara |
Vairochana | Vajradhatvishvari |
The Vajra is divided into two parts: Prajna and Upaya |
Philosophy
- Tara is the chief Goddess.
- It believes that the deities should be compelled, rather than persuaded, by means of Sadhana (dedication, surrender) .
- The Vajrayana texts are composed of Tantras composed of two parts: Mantra and Yantra (Magical symbols) .
- The concept of Yuganadha is associated with it.
- It believes in six syallbus SADAKASARA.
- The concept of Shakta has been mentioned in
- Periplus,
- Gandhar Stone Inscriptions of KumaraGupta,
- Brihat Samhita
Tibetan Lists
Visitors | King | Period |
---|---|---|
Matrechta | Kanishka | 1st AD |
Nagarjuna | Udayibhadra | 2nd AD |
Chandragomin | Viraratnakriti | 6th AD |
Jinatri | Chittratnausodhankarma | 11th AD |
Bodhibhadra | Gurulekha | 11th AD |
Sajjana | Suksmajnana | 11th AD |
Dipankara | Nyayapala | 11th AD |
Srijana Jaganmitra | Nanda Jayachandra | 12th AD |
Buddhist Order: Membership: Sangha
Not restricted by caste; but soldiers and debtors could enter with permission; Novicees might be admitted from the age of 8
Rules of Admission
- three yellow robes;
- shaving of head;
- Pronunciation of the three jewels;
- Ten percepts;
- Fortnight: monks assembly for Upavasatha: act of general confession.
Ten Percepts
- not to harm;
- not to take, what is not given;
- evil behavior;
- false speech;
- alcoholic drink;
- eating at forbidden time;
- dancing, singing, music;
- garlands, perfumes, jewellery;
- High or broad bed;
- receiving gold and silver.
Symbolism
Symbolism | Meaning |
---|---|
Lotus and Bull | birth |
Horse | marriage and birth of a son |
The Bodhi Tree | Great Renunciation Wheel Dharmchakaras containing 4 noble path and 8 fold path enlightenment |
The Stupa | death |
Marked by Rumrnmmendesi | Pillar of Ashoka birth |
Birth + Enlightenment | Vaishakha Purnima |
Miscellaneous
- Harsha like Ashoka tried to bring thee Buddhist Sangha into the secret discipline.
- Chaitya is the prayer Hall; Sarnath is the earliest stupa to be found; relics of Buddha associated in the construction of the earliest stupas; Chaityas religious term/Stupa- architectural term