MAHAYANA BUDDHISM

The name, Mahayana comes from the word "Maha" which means 'great' and "Yana" which means 'Vehicle'. Thus Mahayana is a great vehicle. Mahyana is mainly in Tibet, China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea and Mongolia. Mahayana Buddhism is not a single group. It separates into a lot groups such as Zen Buddhism, Pure Land Buddhism and Tibetan Buddhism and so on. Mahayana talks very much about Bodhisatta,Buddha-inwaiting. Mahayana School derives from Mahasangika School, Yogasara School and Madyamika School etc. At first counsel, held at Rajagaha city, leading Mahakassapa Thero, there was no Mahayana idea in Sangha community. And at second counsel, held Vesali, leading Mahayasa, there was no Mahayana idea too, but Vajji monks were against the second counsel and held another counsel at Kosambi city. They called it themselves as ' Mahasangika school'. Till second counsel, we can not find any evidence of Mahayana idea among Sangha. But at third counsel, there were some evidences among about Mahayana idea. It can be studied at Kathāvatthu text. Later, commentators such as Nagaruna and Asanga started Mahayana idea. Although it is different name between Mahayana and Theravāda School, the aim of both Schools is to search for liberation the circle of Samsara ( circle of birth, death and rebirth). In Mahayana tradition, the following are very important

1. Trikaya

2. Bodhisatta

3. Tathata and Dhammadhatu ( Nirvana and the world)

4. Alayavinnana

5. Containing the nature of Bodhisatta in the dust, sand and animal etc.

According to Mahayana tradition, the real body of the Buddha is Dharmakaya. Another reason of Dharmakaya is Sambogakaya. The Buddha took human being and served with well fare of people for 45 years. It is called Nirmanakaya. Bodhisatta is important roll in Mahayana tradition. Bodhisatta would sacrifice everything to get Buddhahood. He is never selfish, not trying to liberate by himself from suffering but he would like to liberate all of beings together with him. That is why he sacrifices everything to be Buddhahood. Mahayana teaches that everyone should follow the path of Bodhisatta and every Mahayanist is Bodhisatta according to Mahayana tradition. Tathata is so deep to define by words and it is beyond the word and the time. It is no shape, no feeling, no light etc. It is also called Nirvana or Samsara. It is no difference between Samsara and Nirvana. If the Tathata is not alive, it is called Nirvana and if the Tathata is alive, it is called Samsara. Alayavinana is the place where the result of good or bad deep, done by people is stole. And according to Mahayana, all of beings, even the sand in the river and dust etc will become Buddha one day in the future. This is brief expression of Mahayana Buddhism.