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:
  1. Charity (Dana) ,
  2. Good Conduct (Sila) ,
  3. Forbearance (Ksanti) ,
  4. Courage (Virya) ,
  5. Meditation (Dhyana) ,
  6. Insight (Prajna) ,
  7. To achieve salvation (Upayakausalya) ,
  8. Resolution (Pranidhana) ,
  9. Power (Bala) ,
  10. 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 (10^th 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)

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

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

1. three yellow robes;
2. shaving of head;
3. Pronunciation of the three jewels;
4. Ten percepts;
5. Fortnight: monks assembly for Upavasatha: act of general confession.

Ten Percepts

1. not to harm;
2. not to take, what is not given;
3. evil behavior;
4. false speech;
5. alcoholic drink;
6. eating at forbidden time;
7. dancing, singing, music;
8. garlands, perfumes, jewellery;
9. High or broad bed;
10. receiving gold and silver.

Symbolism

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