where did the mahayana come from

A discussion on all aspects of Theravāda Buddhism
User avatar
Ngawang Drolma.
Posts: 805
Joined: Wed Dec 31, 2008 7:38 pm

Re: where did the mahayana come from

Post by Ngawang Drolma. »

jcsuperstar wrote:from what i've gathered, the perfections were perfected over many many life times as a bottisatta, these stories are laid out in the jataka tales

the buddha chose to take a billion life times to do this, but since he did it theres no need for us to, though i guess you could if you wanted to. the difference i see here in mahayana and theravada is the mahayana take these vows as if they have some sort of control over their lives simple by vowing, i think think now of when i was a mahayana buddhist, i couldnt keep my marraige together how was i expected to keep an untold number of future lives together... :jawdrop:
Hi jcsuperstar,

Another way to understand this is that these vows are related to motivation for practice in the here and now.

Kindly,
Drolma
User avatar
Ceisiwr
Posts: 22383
Joined: Sun Jan 11, 2009 2:36 am
Location: Wales

Re: where did the mahayana come from

Post by Ceisiwr »

Thanks Tilltbillings

:namaste:
“Knowing that this body is just like foam,
understanding it has the nature of a mirage,
cutting off Māra’s flower-tipped arrows,
one should go beyond the King of Death’s sight.”
mountain
Posts: 26
Joined: Wed Feb 04, 2009 1:40 am

Re: where did the mahayana come from

Post by mountain »

All religions must evolve if they are to become universal. I would see Mahayana as that vehicle which suits some cultures and not others. The history of Buddhism often does not carry such sharp deliniations as many would wish.If we do believe in skillful teaching then it must be dynamic rather than static. Just an opinion.
John
User avatar
jcsuperstar
Posts: 1915
Joined: Wed Dec 31, 2008 5:15 am
Location: alaska
Contact:

Re: where did the mahayana come from

Post by jcsuperstar »

tiltbillings wrote:
clw_uk wrote:I know this is a bit off topic but why did no one agree with the Sarvāstivādas. I cant find any info on them myself
Get Rupert Gethin's THE FOUNDATIONS OF BUDDHISM, which is an inexpensive paperback.
ive seen this book around would you recomend it over all?
สัพเพ สัตตา สุขีตา โหนตุ

the mountain may be heavy in and of itself, but if you're not trying to carry it it's not heavy to you- Ajaan Suwat
User avatar
tiltbillings
Posts: 23046
Joined: Wed Dec 31, 2008 9:25 am

Re: where did the mahayana come from

Post by tiltbillings »

Me: "Get Rupert Gethin's THE FOUNDATIONS OF BUDDHISM, which is an inexpensive paperback."

jc: ive seen this book around would you recomend it over all?

It is a very good work by a scholar who is also a Buddhist.
>> Do you see a man wise [enlightened/ariya] in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.<< -- Proverbs 26:12

This being is bound to samsara, kamma is his means for going beyond. -- SN I, 38.

“Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?” HPatDH p.723
User avatar
tiltbillings
Posts: 23046
Joined: Wed Dec 31, 2008 9:25 am

Re: where did the mahayana come from

Post by tiltbillings »

Also, I'd recommend Paul Williams', a Mahayana specialist, BUDDHIST THOUGHT. It is in paper and can be gotten cheaply used. His chapter on the origin of the Mahayana is excellent.
>> Do you see a man wise [enlightened/ariya] in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.<< -- Proverbs 26:12

This being is bound to samsara, kamma is his means for going beyond. -- SN I, 38.

“Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?” HPatDH p.723
User avatar
jcsuperstar
Posts: 1915
Joined: Wed Dec 31, 2008 5:15 am
Location: alaska
Contact:

Re: where did the mahayana come from

Post by jcsuperstar »

thanks
สัพเพ สัตตา สุขีตา โหนตุ

the mountain may be heavy in and of itself, but if you're not trying to carry it it's not heavy to you- Ajaan Suwat
User avatar
Ceisiwr
Posts: 22383
Joined: Sun Jan 11, 2009 2:36 am
Location: Wales

Re: where did the mahayana come from

Post by Ceisiwr »

There is a website here that gives some bare info on the beginings of mahayana and doctrinal differences


http://wisdomquarterly.blogspot.com/200 ... rence.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
“Knowing that this body is just like foam,
understanding it has the nature of a mirage,
cutting off Māra’s flower-tipped arrows,
one should go beyond the King of Death’s sight.”
Post Reply