The Origins of Mahayana

[Bankei]

Hi

I am interested in early Buddhism and the latest theories regarding the emergence of the Mahayana. Recently there have been a number of studies published and I am just wondering if anyone is up to date on all this - I just haven't got the time (or access) to read the vast amount of materials out there.

One theory is that the Mahayanists were actually forest monks trying to get back to the original teachings of the Buddha away from the Abidharmist influence. Another theory is that Mahayana arose as a result of lay communities centering on Stupa veneration. Another is that it arose out of the Sarvastivada etc etc.

Whats the latest research?

Thanks

Bankei

[Kusala]

Hi

I am interested in early Buddhism and the latest theories regarding the emergence of the Mahayana. Recently there have been a number of studies published and I am just wondering if anyone is up to date on all this - I just haven't got the time (or access) to read the vast amount of materials out there.

One theory is that the Mahayanists were actually forest monks trying to get back to the original teachings of the Buddha away from the Abidharmist influence. Another theory is that Mahayana arose as a result of lay communities centering on Stupa veneration. Another is that it arose out of the Sarvastivada etc etc.

Whats the latest research?

Thanks

Bankei

Hi Bankei. This article maybe helpful ------> http://www.articlesbase.com/religion-ar ... 54686.html

[ground]

Read more: http://www.articlesbase.com/religion-ar ... z1CUZcF5is

While the Theravada is an intellectual religion that requires personal self-effort, the Mahayana believes in salvation through faith and devotion. In the Theravada the Buddha is a discoverer who points out the Path, but in the Mahayana he becomes a saviour by whose grace beings can hope to be redeemed.

There may be popular forms of "Mahayana derivates" for which this holds true but as to the Mahayana teachings in general this is utterly wrong.

... the Mahayana takes much interest in philosophical speculation and ritualism, ...

Not completely unfounded but as a general characterisation it is wrong.

Kind regards

[tiltbillings]

Hi

I am interested in early Buddhism and the latest theories regarding the emergence of the Mahayana. Recently there have been a number of studies published and I am just wondering if anyone is up to date on all this - I just haven't got the time (or access) to read the vast amount of materials out there.

One theory is that the Mahayanists were actually forest monks trying to get back to the original teachings of the Buddha away from the Abidharmist influence. Another theory is that Mahayana arose as a result of lay communities centering on Stupa veneration. Another is that it arose out of the Sarvastivada etc etc.

Whats the latest research?

Thanks

Bankei

Whenever one reads: "The other, the Mahasanghikas, later developed into the Mahayana, the term the later Mahasanghikas call themselves" then one can rest assure themselves that it is not the latest scholarship and can be ignored without fear of missing any thing important.

Chapter thrree of Paul Williams' BUDDHIST THOUGHT gives a rather nice look at the issue from the basis of very recent scholarship.

[Mr. G]

Chapter thrree of Paul Williams' BUDDHIST THOUGHT gives a rather nice look at the issue from the basis of very recent scholarship.

The 2nd edition of "Mahayana Buddhism: The Doctrinal Foundations" by Williams is great too. It includes the latest research up to 2008.

[JIMBOSAN]

Although it's not the latest research - History of Indian Buddhism from Sakayamuni to early Mahayana - Hirakawa Akira is available at scribd.com as a pdf.

[Lazy_eye]

Hi

I am interested in early Buddhism and the latest theories regarding the emergence of the Mahayana. Recently there have been a number of studies published and I am just wondering if anyone is up to date on all this - I just haven't got the time (or access) to read the vast amount of materials out there.

One theory is that the Mahayanists were actually forest monks trying to get back to the original teachings of the Buddha away from the Abidharmist influence. Another theory is that Mahayana arose as a result of lay communities centering on Stupa veneration. Another is that it arose out of the Sarvastivada etc etc.

Whats the latest research?

Thanks

Bankei

From what I've read, the lay movement theory has been debunked, or at least sustained serious damage -- Jan Nattier's research is worth looking at here:

http://books.google.com/books?id=kl9RXS ... &q&f=false

[Dmytro]

Hi,

There's a good book:

Mahāyāna Buddhism: The Doctrinal Foundations
By Paul Williams

http://books.google.com/books?id=jrHi1a ... frontcover

Best wishes, Dmytro

[Nibbida]

Not this Paul Williams:

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_k21ZGJPxLec/TJaC305GxFI/AAAAAAAABhE/XM8Ua5Zbw9c/s1600/paul+Williams-lead.jpg

[Dan74]

No, this one: