Mahayana is one of the main schools of Buddhism, which in the modern world unites more than one hundred and fifty million people and is one of the most humane religions in the world. It attracts people of different nationalities and outlooks on life with the opportunity to improve themselves and achieve a more wholesome and conscious life.
World Religions
World religions are those that are widespread in most countries of the world. They do not have a clear national or territorial affiliation, they are professed by the vast majority of people on the planet. Traditionally, the world religions include Christianity, Islam and Buddhism. Hinduism, Judaism and Confucianism are also commonly referred to as world religions. These religions cover large areas of influence. At the same time, Hinduism has common roots with Buddhism, and early Christianity originates in Judaism. The oldest of the three main religions is Buddhism, which originated in the middle of the first millennium BC in ancient India. Today, Buddhism is practiced by more than four hundred million people worldwide. Most Buddhists live in South Asia. This ancientreligion is especially prevalent in Japan, China, Mongolia, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia and Korea. In Russia, these are mainly Tuva, Kalmykia and Buryatia.
Historical background
In ancient India for a long time the leading religion was Brahminism, which later gave rise to Hinduism and Buddhism. Brahmanism was characterized by a large pantheon and a multi-stage hierarchy of deities, very complex and intricate rituals and the practice of sacrifice. He also assumed a rigid division of society into various castes (estates). Belonging to a higher or lower caste from birth determined the whole life of a person. All the main provisions of Brahmanism have been developed in Hinduism.
Buddhism also originates in classical Brahmanism. But Buddhism denies caste, inequality, sacrifice and supreme gods. The founder of the new religion was Prince Siddhartha Gautama, who later received the name Buddha Shakyamuni (awakened). This is a real historical character, about which quite detailed information has been preserved. Gautama came from a royal family. Living in a palace in luxury, he never encountered the real world. Only at the age of thirty did he accidentally see an old man on the street, a sick man and a funeral procession: old age, illness and death. This event turned the prince's life upside down. He left home, family, we alth and went on an endless journey around the world. Gautama tried to understand the causes of injustice and evil in the world, he was looking for sources of happiness and salvation. In the end, he came to an enlightened realization that the earthly life of a personthere is a lot of suffering. Happiness and peace can only be found in a state of nirvana, renouncing everything earthly. Buddha Gautama lived a long life and in more than forty years of wandering he gained many supporters and followers of his teaching. They say that his first associates were representatives of the lower caste of the untouchables, to whom the teachings of Shakyamuni made it possible to change their lives. After his death, the disciples continued the work of their spiritual leader.
The teaching of Buddhism and its difference from other religions
The teachings of the Buddha are called dharma by followers. The principal feature of dharma is its non-divine origin. The Buddha himself claimed that the understanding of the right path came to him from many days of observation of the state of his own spirit and the world around him.
The teaching of Buddhism says that every person through meditation, a kind attitude towards the world, a conscious rejection of worldly goods can come to an ideal and serene state of mind (nirvana). The hallmarks of this ancient religion are:
- lack of a single deity and worship of gods,
- many branches and schools of Buddhism coexisting peacefully within the same religion,
- loyal attitude to other religions, beliefs and gods.
It is important that Buddhism is not only a religious teaching, but also a developed system of philosophy, worldview, medicine, art and culture. Buddhism is a way of life, a special attitude towards the world, eternity and one's own Self.
Buddhism in India
Born inIn India, an ancient religion for two and a half thousand years of existence has experienced several stages of development: formation, flourishing, displacement, return. The teachings of Buddha Shakyamuni have achieved unprecedented popularity and recognition over the course of several centuries. Buddhism was even proclaimed the state religion of India during the reign of King Ashoka. Thanks to the support of the rulers of India, Buddhism reached its peak in the ninth century. After the arrival of Islam in the country, Buddhism began to rapidly lose ground, and by the thirteenth century it was completely ousted from the country.
The return of Buddhism to their historical homeland happened only in the middle of the twentieth century, but with a different people. The accession of Tibet to China provoked a large wave of emigration of the indigenous inhabitants of Tibet to India. So Buddhism returned to India along with a large Tibetan diaspora. In modern India, Buddhism is maintained at the state level as part of the country's history. In India, many Buddhist historical monuments and holy places have been preserved, to which followers of the Buddha constantly make pilgrimages. There are very few Buddhists among the indigenous population of India, Hinduism remains the main religion of this country. Thus, Buddhism, which originated in India, was subsequently ousted from this country, but was widely recognized in other countries and became the world's largest religion.
Opponents of Buddhism
Buddhism has been and is being repeatedly criticized by various social movements and other religions. Thus, atheists criticize Buddhism for its philosophy of renouncingstruggle and passive attitude towards technical and social progress.
Christians and Muslims condemn Buddhism for denying the one God. For example, Catholics consider the ancient religion to be too self-centered. Buddhism is scolded even by feminists for infringing on the rights of women, although this is not at all the case. Within Buddhism itself there is also no unity in views and principles. Therefore, Buddhism is divided into many directions and schools that coexist relatively peacefully within the framework of one world religion.
Different currents in Buddhism
Buddhism, like no other religion, includes an incredible number of schools and directions. Several objective features of religion contributed to this:
- tolerance for other beliefs, traditions and customs,
- no supreme God,
- lack of a single territorial center of Buddhism,
- different interpretation of the teachings of the Buddha,
- national and cultural features of the territories where Buddhism spread.
For example, there is Tibetan, Japanese and Chinese Buddhism.
Among this set, there are three main areas of Buddhism: Hinayana (Theravada), Mahayana, Vajrayana.
Hinayana
Hinayana (Small chariot) - the path of liberation from the suffering of the material world only for one's own sake. According to this path, a person can reach the state of an arhat (get out of a series of incarnations in the material world) only by being a monk. At the same time, he should only be concerned about his own path. There are strict vows in the Hinayana andrestrictions not available to the laity.
Therefore, Hinayana is a closed school of Buddhist monks who are exclusively engaged in their own enlightenment and do not conduct missionary activities. This closeness is the main difference between Hinayana and Mahayana.
Mahayana
Mahayana (Great Vehicle) - the path to enlightenment for the benefit of others. The goal of a believer in the Mahayana is to achieve the state of a Bodhisattva (enlightened person) in order to help other people in getting rid of suffering. Mahayana is the absolute pursuit of goodness. It instructs a Buddhist to study the Buddha's legacy, meditate, and do good deeds for others.
Vajrayana
Vajrayana (Diamond Chariot) - tantric Buddhism, based on special practices - tantras. The goal of the Vajrayana is to achieve enlightenment for the sake of other beings, an enlightened life in samsara (the circle of reincarnations). Unlike the Vajrayana, the Hinayana and Mahayana are based on the sutras.
Mahayana is the largest school of Buddhism
Mahayana is the most popular direction in Buddhism. Mahayana is widespread in China, Mongolia, Japan, Tibet, Korea. There are over 150 million Mahayana practitioners in the world.
Unlike the closed Hinayana, the followers of the Mahayana believe that they return to the origins and reveal the secrets of the Buddha's teachings to all people. They believe that the enlightened state of the Buddha can be achieved by anyone if they choose the right path. Mahayana recognizes the divinethe essence of the Buddha and believes that he is present invisibly in all life on earth. In Mahayana Buddhism, there is a theory about the three bodies of the Buddha:
- acquired body - incarnation in a human body,
- the body of bliss is the incarnation in the deity,
- the body of the Law is the true Buddha, the absolute.
Followers of the Mahayana claim that the state of nirvana is the cosmic body of the Buddha. And since the Buddha is a part of all living things, a person can also achieve such a state. The main postulates of the Mahayana are reflected in special treatises - "The Lotus Sutras of the Good Law", "Visions of the Pure Land", "Perfect Wisdom".
Mahayana is, in turn, many schools, for example, Madhyamika or Yogachara. Their creators are well-known and recognized Buddhist teachers and preachers. So, in Tibetan Buddhism there are five main schools: Kadam, Sakya, Nyingma, Kagyu and Gelug Mahayana.
Buddhist monasteries and temples
The centuries-old traditions of Buddhism have left their mark not only in philosophy, culture, art, medicine, but also in architecture. Buddhist monasteries and temples are unique architectural monuments that annually attract pilgrims and tourists from all over the world. For example, the most beautiful Buddhist complex Potal is located in Tibet. It is located in the mountains at an altitude of about four thousand meters. The complex includes two grandiose palaces: Red and White. Before the annexation of Tibet to China, the winter residence of the Dalai Lama was located here.
In Burma, in Yangon isunusual Buddhist pagoda Shwedagon. It is famous for the fact that precious metals and gems are used in its decoration: gold, rubies, emeralds, sapphires. In the Indonesian jungle is the largest ancient Buddhist temple, built in the form of a mandala and decorated with Buddha statues. Amazing temple located in Thailand. It is called Wat Rong Kum and is built of alabaster and mirrors. The unusual architecture of the temple is amazing. In Bhutan, you can admire the "Tiger's Nest" - a Buddhist monastery, located high in the mountains, on a rock, which is very difficult to reach.
Due to the wide spread of Buddhism in the world, architectural monuments of the most ancient religion can be found in almost any part of the world. They are always distinguished by monumentality, majesty and rich design.
Mahayana Buddhism in the modern world
Buddhism has become so widespread in the world largely due to its loy alty to other faiths and peacefulness. This is the only world religion that did not wage religious wars for the seizure of new territories and peoples. Numerous movements and schools of Buddhism manage to resolve disputes and disagreements peacefully, with the help of discussions and scientific disputes. Mahayana as the most popular school of Buddhism still attracts many people today.
Mahayana is one of the most humane religions, recognizing the equality of all people, calling for tolerance, self-knowledge and self-improvement.
