Mahayana sutras

From previous chapters, data showed that a number of people have come to the Buddha and asked questions. Some of these questions nature is metaphysical. It is beyond the scope of conjecture. Still, these questions are put at the Buddha by various people. Does this indicates that the interlocutors thinks the Buddha know everything? Was he omniscient? Although, the term omniscience is a prominent feature that is attributed to the Buddha and other founders of some religions. However, it nature…

Spread Of Buddhism In China Despite the presence of opposition of Buddhism in China, it can be proven that Buddhism was received positively because of it's integration into the Tang Dynasty. Buddhism was founded in India and through diffusion on the Silk Road, it gradually moved to China, then grew rapidly from there. The warring states suffered during this time,which caused instability and disunity. The spread of Buddhism met mixed results with China’s population during the Han Dynasty. Many…

In first prostration, the turning out of the first hand symbolizes cultivating wisdom, while the other hand represents the outward offer of compassion. The second prostration indicated the wisdom and compassion upon the individual from Buddha and Bodhisattva’s. When bowing their head to the ground it is indicating humility, as the head is the most important part of the body, it holds all the sense organs and the most important organ, our brain. Self-identity is also related with the face, as we…

Asia is home to many extravagant religious statues. From Japan to Bangkok, to the far away Lantau Island in Hong Kong; each historical landmark represents what once was a triumphant feat. These giant artistic and religious symbols of Great Buddhas have all made an impact not only in the past, but remain a cultural icon for many of the individuals who live near it today. The Great Buddha of Kamakura sits outdoors in the green lands of Kamakura, Japan. Specifically, it is located “in the…

enlightenment (Humphreys). The Ch’an belief that Buddha is within oneself and not an individual who needs to be praised, (like the Buddha Amitābha in Pure Land) to reach enlightenment ties more closely to original Mahayana Buddhism. Ch’an meditation also attains its roots in Mahayana Buddhism. And while most believe Ch’an to be a difficult lonely process with no aid, this is simply not true. Koans, discipline, and direction are all tools used by a Zen master to teach a student how to become…

Inventing Tibet For question one, the author's central argument is about Tibet's religious and cultural heritage were not always the same as most Westerners view of Tibet. One aspects of the idealized notion of Tibet, where most Westerners look as the locus of sublime ancient wisdom or a "Shangri-La" view of Tibet. Europeans and Americans proclaimed themselves to be in search of a new paradigm , one based on moral and spiritual principles instead of the destructive forces of market…

Ancient empires of India and China saw a series of dynastic emperors. Two of the most prominent and influential were Ashoka and Qin Shihuangdi, who had some similarities and differences. Ashoka was an emperor in India of the Mauryan Dynasty from 268 to 232 BCE. Shi Huangdi was the founder of the Qin dynasty, he ruled from 220 to 210 BC. Both rulers were seen as hard-working and self-confident. These characteristics aided them in persuading people to do as they said in terms of laws. Late in…

Buddhism is easily detected as a religion unlike any other. The reason for this all comes down to the founder of the religion himself, Buddha. Also known as ”the enlightened one,” Buddha created a religion that would forever be questioned on whether Buddhism should be considered a religion, like it currently is, or a philosophy. Buddha is widely seen as a “rebel saint” because he did not teach his followers similar beliefs and ethics which all other religions posses. Instead, Buddha’s religion…

Zazan: A Buddhist Ritual “A special transmission outside the scriptures, Not founded upon words and letters; By pointing directly to one’s mind. It lets one see into one’s own true nature and thus attain Buddhahood”(Gateless Gate). In the denomination of Zen Buddhism, there are many forms of Zen practice including but not limited to bowing, chanting, and sitting. One of the most well known forms of Zen practice is sitting, otherwise known as Zazen. This form of meditation is significant to the…

with the honest nature of things. Having the quietness with a mix of experiences of the tangible universe can take us on a journey that surpasses the verbal language and thoughts to the pulse of reality itself (Molloy 168). Zen Buddhism, a school of Mahayana Buddhism has begun and then had made its way to Japan (Molloy 166). Chan Buddhism roots can be found way back to a Buddhist monk Bodhidharma. The Chinese leaned on Siddhartha’s teachings, through Siddhartha’s practices of meditation, he…