RG ST 21 Lecture Notes - Lecture 11: Mahayana, Buddhahood, Arhat
Document Summary
Mahayana buddhism: bodhisattva path, perfection of wisdom and emptiness. Buddha discouraged images of himself - thought people would deify him. Early buddhist art doesn"t depict the buddha but symbolic representations. In early centuries ce (same as rise of mahayana) statues and images of buddha began to appear. Attempts to make the absent buddha more present . Bodhisattvas ( enlightenment being ) are persons on their way to becoming buddhas. As buddhism developed, ideas of 3 separate vehicles and corresponding. Bodhisattvas called great beings (mahasattva) meaning they focus on the great result of buddhahood (rather than mere nirvana) In mahayana, all who can should seek the goal of full enlightenment. Bodhisattva originally referred to sakyamuni"s previous lives training to be a buddha. Career as bodhisattva begins with a vow to attain enlightenment for the sake of others. Bodhisattvas should take their vow out of compassion (karuna) for sentient beings.
