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Introduction To World Religions & Belief Systems: Quarter 2
Introduction To World Religions & Belief Systems: Quarter 2
Introduction To World Religions & Belief Systems: Quarter 2
Department of Education
National Capital Region
DIVISION OF CITY SCHOOLS – MANILA
Manila Education Center Arroceros Forest Park
Antonio J. Villegas St. Ermita, Manila
Introduction to
World Religions &
Belief Systems
Buddhism: The Way to
Enlightenment
Quarter 2
Module 3
Most Essential Learning Competency:
Analyze brief history, core teachings,
fundamental beliefs, practices
and related issues of
Mahayana Buddhism.
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HOW TO USE THIS MODULE
Before starting the module, I want you to set aside other tasks that will disturb
you while enjoying the lessons. Read the simple instructions below to successfully
enjoy the objectives of this kit. Have fun!
1. Follow carefully all the contents and instructions indicated in every page of
this module.
1. Write on your notebook the concepts about the lessons. Writing enhances
learning that is important to develop and keep in mind.
2. Perform all the provided activities in the module.
3. Let your facilitator/guardian assess your answers using the answer key card.
4. Analyze conceptually the posttest and apply what you have learned.
5. Enjoy studying!
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EXPECTATIONS
This module expects us to draw insight from the act of generosity of Tzu Shi
Foundation that reflects the core teaching of Mahayana Buddhism.
Specifically, this module will help you to:
Understand the elements of Mahayana Buddhism – its founder, sacred texts,
and doctrines.
Valuing self-worth through the act of generosity, morality, patience,
perseverance, and insights in dealing with others.
Reflect on the impact of uniqueness and similarities of Mahayana and
Theravada Buddhism to modern society.
Shall we start the journey in learning more about Buddhism:
The Way to Enlightenment? I am sure you are ready and
excited to answer the Pretest. Smile and cheer up!
PRETEST
Directions: Fill in the blank. Choose the letter of the best answer and write it on
the space provided.
1. It is a further development of Mahayana Buddhism, which is called as the
“vehicle of thunderbolts.”
a. Tantric Buddhism c. Theravada Buddhism
b. Taoism d. Zen Buddhism
2. Buddhism that started in China, which said to be a combination of
Mahayana Buddhism and Taoism, whose practice are compatible with other
religions like Christianism.
a. Tantric Buddhism c. Theravada Buddhism
b. Zen Buddhism d. Brahma Buddhism
3. A Hindu or Buddhist spiritual teacher and intellectual guide in all matters of
their fundamental concerns.
a. Guru c. Rabbi
b. Dalai Lama d. Boddhisattva
4. He is considered as the highest spiritual and political leader among the
Tibetans and considered as a living Boddhisattva.
a. Guru c. Rabbi
b. Dalai Lama d. Instructor
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5. Also known as Buddhahood, who is either someone who almost achieved
enlightenment or has delayed enlightenment out of compassion and service
for humans.
a. Guru c. Rabbi
b. Dalai Lama d. Boddhisattva
Great, you finished answering the questions. You may request your
facilitator to check your work. Congratulations and keep on learning!
Let us review what you have learned from our previous discussion about
Buddhism. Read carefully the statement in each number and write your answer on
the space provided. Use the jumbled letters as a clue to answer to each number.
Clue Answer
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BRIEF INTRODUCTION
Unlike in module 2 that focused on Theravada Buddhism, this module
focusses its discussion on Mahayana Buddhism.
Mahayana is made up of many schools and reinterpretations of Buddhist
teachings and their essential beliefs, values, and ideas. They evolved as one of
richest and most sophisticated forms of Buddhism, but their rejection to allow any
form of modernization made them an easy target for the Communist China to
conquer their country that leads hundreds of thousands of their people were forced
to be leave their country and lived-in exile.
Since then, their political and spiritual leaders re-established themselves in
India and became successful in establishing temples and centers in the west and
now, their conflict with China became a world-wide issue and concern.
DISCUSSIONS
T Rise of Mahayana Buddhism
The
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As mentioned in Britannica.com, Mahayana Buddhism’s origin remains
unclear since the date and location of its tradition’s appearance are still
unidentified, and their movements were most likely shape over time in many
places. As stated in Columbia Encyclopedia, the Mahayana develops as a definable
movement in the 1st century BC, with the appearance of a class literature called
Mahayana sutra. Their main philosophical principle is that “all things are empty, or
devoid of ‘self-nature’ or sunyata and their chief ideals is the bodhisattva, which
supplanted the earlier ideal of the arahant, who is considered as “a person who
has gained insight into the true nature of existence and achieved nirvana.”
(www.britannica.com)
Accordingly, it was Nagarjuna who taught that there is neither reality nor
non-reality but only “relativity” and the school he founded, the Madhyamika,
introduced the concept of Sunyata or “emptiness” and teaches about two truths
about relative and absolute. On the other hand, Yogacara divided truths by the two
brothers into three: first, the Illusory Truth, which is a false attribution to an
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object because of causes and conditions; second, the Empirical Truth, which is
knowledge produced by causes and conditions which is relative and practical; and
third, the Absolute Truth as the highest truth. As mentioned in Buddha.Net as an
example, this can be seen in a coil of rope lying on the board. At first glance, it can
be seen as a snake (illusionary truth), then on a closer examination, it is seen as a
coil of rope (empirical truth) but by examining it further, it can be seen as a
collection of chemical elements that can be classified as electrons, protons, and
neutrons in a certain combination and ultimately as mere energy appearing as form
(absolute truth). (http://www.buddhanet.net/e-
learning/buddhistworld/maha2.htm)
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Universality and Growth of Sects
History reveals that there are two main branches of Buddhism developed: first
is a transmission that traveled to Southeast Asia, the Theravada Buddhism and
second, a transmission that evolved in East Asia, the Mahayana. Then, a further
offshoot of the northern transmission was developed and moved across Asia, which
was called Tantric or Esoteric Buddhism and sometimes called Vajrayana.
Theravada Buddhism. As discussed in Module 2, is believed as the oldest
Buddhism, whose original texts were set down in the Pali language by the monks of
Sri Lanka. It was referred as the “traditions of the elders” and highly recognizes the
primacy and humanity of the historical Buddha as the enlightened one. It
emphasizes attaining self-liberation through one’s own efforts. Meditation are they
vital elements just like what Buddha did on the Bodhi tree. Their ideal road is to
dedicate oneself to full-time monastic life. (www.bbc.co.uk)
Mahayana Buddhism. This is considered as a philosophical movement that
proclaimed the possibility of universal salvation, offering assistance to in the form
of compassionate beings called Bodhisattvas or Buddhahood (becoming a Buddha).
They ended the idea of making Buddha as a historical figure by developing new
sutras that postpone his own salvation in order to help others that aspire to
liberate all creatures in the universe from sufferings. Khan Academy mentioned
that the most popular Bodhisattvas under Mahayana appeared in sculpture and
painting includes Avalokiteshvara (Mercy and Compassion), Maitreya (Future
Buddha), and Manjushri (Wisdom). These ideal human beings were inspired by the
life story of Buddha Sakyamuni, the historical Buddha, began to generate to attain
enlightenment for the all beings in a form of a vow, then by living on a religious life
through the cultivation of the Six Perfections also called as the Paramitas which
consists of (1.) Dana or Generosity, which cultivates the attitude of giving; (2.) Sila
or Morality, which refrrain them to do no harm; (3.) Kshanti or Patience, their
ability not to be perturbed by anything; (4.) Virya or patience or perseverance,
finding joy in positive, virtuous and wholesome manner; (5.) Jhana or Dhyana or
Meditation, finding focus and not to be distracted; and (6.) Prajna or Insights, the
perfect discrimination of phenomena.
Today, Mahayana Buddhism is predominant in North Asia and has been
strongly influenced culturally and by existing religious there as Taoism and
Confucianism. (https://www.ancient.eu/Mahayana_Buddhism/)
Tantric Buddhism. This is an added evolution of Mahayana Buddhism, which
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is called the “Vehicle of the Thunderbolt.” It was said to be developed in India about
500 – 600 C.E. and its origin are traced to Ancient Hindu and Vedic practices that
includes esoteric ritual texts, which designed to achieve physical, mental, and
spiritual breakthrough. Accordingly, they practice the destabilized conventional
Buddhism and Hinduism by engaging their acts secretly and initiates worked with
their spiritual guide called guru.
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1. Generosity (Dana Paramita) – Willingness to give toothers what they need,
whether that be time, possessions, or skills. Willingness to give without
regret and with joy, and to give expectation of any reward.
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The Act of Generosity of Tzu Chi Foundation
Tzu Chi Foundation stands for the Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi
Foundation, Republic of China. It is an international humanitarian organization as
well as a non-governmental organization (NGO) with an international network of
volunteers, supporters, and employees. It was established by a Buddhist nun
named Master Cheng Yen on May 14, 1966 as a charity organization in Hualien,
Taiwan. According to ourhappyschool.com, Master Yen was inspired by her master
and mentor, the late Venerable Master Shin Shun (Yin Shun daoshi), a proponent
of Humanistic Buddhism. Their initial motto was “instructing the rich and saving
the poor” and begin with a group of thirty housewives who donated a small amount
of money every day and attend the needs of the needy families. Their four major
concerns are Charity, Medicine, Education, and Humanity that empathizes on their
present official motto, “For endeavors, eight footprints.” The eight footprints consist
of charity causes, medical contributions, education development, humanities,
international disaster assistance, bone-marrow donations, community
volunteerism, and environmental protection. As part of their service, they
organized, build, and operated many hospitals and schools, with outreach efforts to
guide students in ways of compassion and community service.
Today, Chu Chi Foundation has been awarded a special consultative status at
the United Nations Economic and Social Council. Its role grown significantly in civil
society with approximately 10 million members and 47 chapters in different
countries worldwide. Presently, it is not only the largest Buddhist organization in
Taiwan but also considered as Taiwan’s largest private land owner as mentioned on
January 8, 2017 issue of Our Happy School, an online academic and
entertainment Buddhist magazine.
https://ourhappyschool.com/religion/acts-generosity-tzu-chi-foundation#:~:text=
The%20eight%20footprints%20are%20charity,medical%2C%20educational%20
and%20disaster%20relief.
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ACTIVITY
Activity 1. Graphic Organizer
Direction: Read and analyze the statement and answer the questions beside it.
https://www.pinterest.ph/pin/338825571967485552/
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REMEMBER
It was in 1949 when the peaceful Buddhist country of Tibet was invaded by
the Communists China and over 1.2 million out of 6 Tibetans have been
killed, over 6000 monasteries have been destroyed, and thousands of
Tibetans have been imprisoned.
Dalai lama is considered as the highest spiritual leader of Tibet is believed to
an incarnation of Buddha of Compassion.
Dalai Lama the 14th is the famous Tibet’s political and spiritual leader fled to
India in 1959 and still living with over 100,000 other Tibetans in exile.
Mahayana Buddhism evolved in universality and developed into different
sects.
Zen Buddhism is a school of Mahayana originated in China, which was
strongly influenced by a Taoist’s philosophy and developed as a distinct
school of Chinese Buddhism.
POST TEST
Directions: Matching type. Match specific deity in Column A from their description
in Column B. Write only the letter of your choice on the space provided before the
number.
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which develops a particular Buddhist’s character or
understanding.
7. A person who has a gained insight with the true G. Illusionary Truth
nature of existence and achieved nirvana.
8. He is considered as the Father of Mahayana and H. Nagarjuna
the founder of Madhyamika.
9. A False truth attribute to an object because of its I. Arahant
causes and conditions.
10. It is considered as the highest truth among the J. Paramita
three divisions of Yogacara.
REFERENCES
Online Sources
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Mahayana
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/zvw9dxs/revision/4
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Zen
https://ourhappyschool.com/religion/acts-generosity-tzu-chi-
foundation#:~:text=The%20eight%20footprints%20are%20charity,medical%2C%20
educational%20and%20disaster%20relief.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/buddhism/subdivisions/zen_1.shtml#:~
:text=Zen%20Buddhism%20is%20a%20mixture,by%20logical%20thought%20or%2
0language.
http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/buddhistworld/maha2.htm
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Tibet_(1950%E2%80%93present)
Books:
Campbell, J. with Moyers, B. 1988. The Power of Myth. New York, USA: Doubleday
Dell Publishing Group, Inc., New York. (1st Edition)
Cornejo, Nigel L., et al. 2019. Fundamentals of World Religions. Diliman, Quezon
City: MaxCor Publishing House, Inc.,
Serapio, Maria Perpetua Arcilla .2016. Introduction to World Religions for Senior
High School. Intramuros, Manila: Mindshapers Co., Inc.
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REFLECTIVE LEARNING SHEET
Name ____________________________________________ Grade and Section ___________
School: ______________________ Date: _____________ Subj. Teacher: _______________
Objectives: The students can draw their personal insights about the core
teachings, fundamental beliefs, practices, and other related issues of Mahayana
Buddhism.
Introduction: The current situation under the New Normal really brought us into
an experience that anyone would not want to dream of. Still, to many, this
pandemic gave them a great opportunity not only in the on-line business and
tradership at well at patching things that has been taken for granted for a long at
home, for love ones, and for the spiritual growth of the self. Hence, the teachings of
Mahayana Buddhism are very timely to help people in current time of fear, anxiety,
and isolation.
Directions: Listed below are the five (5) teachings of Mahayana Buddhism. Explain
each statement based on your understanding.
1. Acknowledge your fear – “I am subject to aging, subject to illness,
and subject to death.”
2. Practice Mindfulness and Meditation – “Mindfulness practices aim
to curb impulsive behaviors with awareness of the body.”
3. Cultivating Compassion – “When emotions around fear or anxiety
become strong, Buddhist teachers say one should recall examples of
compassion, kindness, joy, and empathy these four attitudes replace
anxious and fear state of mind for it emphasizes immeasurable
feelings.”
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4. Understanding our interconnection – “The dualistic thinking of
separateness between self ang other, self and the society, breaks
down when viewed from the perspective of interconnection.”
5. Use this time to reflect – “In times of uncertainty, Buddhist teachers
argue, can be good opportunities for putting these teachings into
practice.
https://theconversation.com/5-buddhist-teachings-that-can-help-you-deal-
with-coronavirus-anxiety-134320
ANSWER KEY
D 5. 10. F E 10.
B 4. 9. G B 9.
A 3. 8. H D 8.
B 2. 7. I A 7.
A 1. 6. J C 6.
Pre - test Post - test
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