RG ST 21 Lecture Notes - Lecture 3: Four Noble Truths, Hinayana, Mahayana
Document Summary
166-183; (cid:389)the way of laozi and zhuangzi(cid:390) (sources of chinese tradition, pp. Early buddhism: theravada ((cid:396)school of elders(cid:397)) or ((cid:396)lesser vehicle(cid:397)) Working for welfare of all living beings. Human terms gives appearance that it is achievable. Buddhism originally a personal path to liberation or nirvana, ie. state of an arhat. There is a path to stop sorrow. By 1st century bce, buddhist movements develop new forms of belief and practice. New movement called itself (cid:396)great vehicle(cid:397) to distinguish itself from older buddhism, which it called the (cid:396)inferior vehicle(cid:397) (hinayana) More achievable, embraced more people of different variety of backgrounds. New texts arise in 1st century, connected w/ mahayana such as prajnaparamita (perfection of wisdom) Mahayana not a separate (cid:396)sect(cid:397) -- refers to a universal or encompassing vision. Gives rise to elaborate cosmologies & doctrines. Focuses on the bodhisattva ideal, (ie altruistic motivation) to become enlightened (ie to. Natural environment become a buddha) to help others attain nirvana.
