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Introduction to World
Religions and Belief Systems
Quarter 2 – Module 10:
Mahayana Buddhism
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Introduction to
World Religions
and Belief
Systems
Quarter 2 – Module 10:
Mahayana Buddhism
Introductory Message
For the facilitator:
This learning resource hopes to engage the learners into guided and
independent learning activities at their own pace and time. Furthermore, this
also aims to help learners acquire the needed 21st century skills while taking
into consideration their needs and circumstances.
In addition to the material in the main text, you will also see this box in the
body of the module:
As a facilitator, you are expected to orient the learners on how to use this
module. You also need to keep track of the learners' progress while allowing
them to manage their own learning. Furthermore, you are expected to
encourage and assist the learners as they do the tasks included in the module.
ii
This module was designed to provide you with fun and meaningful
opportunities for guided and independent learning at your own pace and time.
You will be enabled to process the contents of the learning resource while
being an active learner.
iii
1. Use the module with care. Do not put unnecessary mark/s on any part
of the module. Use a separate sheet of paper in answering the exercises.
2. Don’t forget to answer What I Know before moving on to the other
activities included in the module.
3. Read the instruction carefully before doing each task.
4. Observe honesty and integrity in doing the tasks and checking your
answers.
5. Finish the task at hand before proceeding to the next.
6. Return this module to your teacher/facilitator once you are through
with it.
If you encounter any difficulty in answering the tasks in this module, do
not hesitate to consult your teacher or facilitator. Always bear in mind that
you are not alone.
iv
Analyze the brief history, core teachings, fundamental beliefs, practices, and related
issues of Mahayana Buddhism (HUMSS_WRB12-II/IVc-10.1)
In module 9, you have learned what Theravada Buddhism is about, and how its
followers' belief of salvation is attained.
Another major Buddhist tradition is Mahayana Buddhism. In this module you will learn
about the tenets of Mahayana Buddhism and how it paved the way for the
establishment and development of a variety of Buddhist schools.
What I Know
TEST I:
Choose the letter of the correct answer. Write your answer in your notebook.
1. It is known as the Great Vehicle and arose in North India in the 3rd Century CE.
a. Theravada Buddhism c. Hinduism
b. Mahayana Buddhism d. Islam
4. The teaching of this Sutra is about the rebirth of the believers by repeatedly
invoking the name of Amitabha Buddha.
a. Perfection of Wisdom c. Land of Bliss
b. Heart Sutra d. Lotus Sutra
6. How many bhumis must a bodhisattva pass before entering the so-called
“Buddhahood”?
a. 5 c. 15
b. 10 d. 20
8. He believed that other Buddhist Sects in Japan were corrupting the people
towards hell.
a. Mao Zedong c. Songstan Gampo
b. Nichiren Daishonin d. Dalai Lama
9. He was the Tibetan King who introduced Buddhism during his reign.
a. Mao Zedong c. Songstan Gampo
b. Nichiren Daishonin d. Dalai Lama
10. A Chinese leader who is the cause of the permanent exile of Dalai Lama in
India.
a. Mao Zedong c. Songstan Gampo
b. Nichiren Daishonin d. Dalai Lama
What’s In
Before exploring the next major Buddhist sect- Mahayana Buddhism, let us first
have a short review of the previous modules’ lesson.
One of the concepts you have learned in Module 9 is about Theravada
Buddhism’s Four Noble Truths which contain the essence of the Buddha's teachings.
Match the correct noble truth to its definition/meaning. Write only the letter of
the correct answer in your notebook.
What’s New
What is It
MAHAYANA BUDDHISM
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
A later development arose in north India that
came to be known as the Mahayana (lit. “Greater
Vehicle”) school. During the third century B.C.E., a
number of subtle variations began to take place in
Buddhism at a time when the Mauryan king Ashoka
was propagating Buddhist gospels through
missionary efforts (Hopfe 1983). The Mahasamghika
(“of the Great Sangha”), one of the early Buddhist
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Ftak
schools, may have been the source for the initial enewyorktours.com%2Fchinatown-a-unique-neighborhood-
in-new-york-city%2Ftemple-mahayana-
growth of Mahayana Buddhism, especially during the buddhists%2F&psig=AOvVaw1uzj9HG7f44nfzterG7qhf&ust
=1597850779444000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAIQ
“Second Buddhist Council” that occurred a hundred jRxqFwoTCLD77pqIpesCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAD
SACRED SCRIPTURES
1) Lotus Sutra
Lotus Sutra is widely regarded as one of the most
important and influential sutras, or sacred scriptures, of
Buddhism. In it, Shakyamuni expounds the ultimate
truth of life to which he was enlightened. The sutra’s key
message is that Buddhahood, the supreme state of life
characterized by boundless compassion, wisdom and
courage, is inherent within every person without
distinction of gender, ethnicity, social standing or https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2
intellectual ability. F%2Ftimesofindia.indiatimes.com%2FThe-Lotus-
Sutra%2Farticleshow%2F9694974.cms&psig=AOvVa
The Lotus Sutra is a teaching that encourages an w2vZEc1GT1zqQbEJ78JqzDC&ust=15981846318320
00&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAIQjRxqFwoTCJj
active engagement with mundane life and all its z4-zjrusCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAK
from India into East Asia. However, some vernacular Buddhist writings, particularly in
East Asia, demonstrate a popular belief that women may also enter Sukhavati upon
death.
Sukhavati is expressively described in the Pure Land sutras as being a joyous
world, soft and glowing, filled with the music of birds and the tinkling of trees adorned
with precious jewels and garlands of golden bells. Amitabha sits on a lotus in the midst
of a terraced pond, attended by the bodhisattvas (“buddhas-to-be”) Avalokiteshvara
and Mahasthamaprapta. The newly dead enter into lotus buds, which unfold when the
occupants have become entirely purified and have attained enlightenment. Many are
said to be reborn on Earth after leaving Sukhavati to become bodhisattvas working
toward the liberation (moksha) of all sentient beings.
Bodhisattvas
One distinct feature of Mahayana Buddhism concerns its
teaching about an enlightened being or bodhisattva
(“enlightened existence”) which is the ultimate way for any
Buddhist to live in this world. A bodhisattva has generated
bodhicitta or the spontaneous desire to achieve the state of being
enlightened. The concept of bodhicitta greatly differs between
the two main schools of Buddhism.
Bodhisattvas are enlightened beings who have put off
entering paradise in order to help others attain enlightenment.
There are many different Bodhisattvas, but the most famous in
https://depts.washington.edu/
China is Avalokitesvara, known in Chinese as Guanyin. chinaciv/bud/5zmqbodf.jpg
SUBDIVISIONS
Mahayana Buddhism consists of a variety of schools and family of religions.
contemplation were both vital for spiritual enlightenment. Apart from instructions on
the scriptures and silent meditation, other means to reach this goal include mystical
communion with the eternal, ascetic discipline, meritorious deeds, and simple faith in
the mercy of the Buddha (Jurji 1946).
5. Tibetan Buddhism
Buddhism was officially introduced into Tibet around the seventh century C.E.
during the reign of Songtsan Gampo, considered the founder of the Tibetan Empire.
He was influenced by his Chinese and Indian wives who were both Buddhist followers.
Buddhism became a dominant force in the region toward the end of the eight century
C.E. when the king Trisong Detsen decreed it as the official state religion. Tibetan
Buddhism is a religion in exile, forced from its homeland when Tibet was conquered
by the Chinese. At one time it was thought that 1 in 6 Tibetan men were Buddhist
monks.
Tibetan Buddhism is a religion in exile, forced from its homeland when Tibet
was conquered by the Chinese. At one time it was thought that 1 in 6 Tibetan men
were Buddhist monks.
The best known face of Tibetan Buddhism is the Dalai Lama, who has lived in
exile in India since he fled Chinese occupation of his country in 1959.
Tibetan Buddhism combines the essential teachings of Mahayana Buddhism
with Tantric and Shamanic, and material from an ancient Tibetan religion called Bon.
Although Tibetan Buddhism is often thought to be identical with Vajrayana Buddhism,
they are not identical - Vajrayana is taught in Tibetan Buddhism together with the other
vehicles.
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SELECTED ISSUES
Tibet Invasion
For centuries, both China and India have been claiming Tibet as part of their
territories. Tibet practically enjoyed some degree of independence as none of the
claimants pressed their claim. In 1950, however, China annexed Tibet and negotiated
the so-called “Seventeen Point Agreement” with the government of the fourteenth
Dalai Lama. Rejected repeatedly by the Dalai Lama, this document confirmed China’s
authority over Tibet, but the area was granted autonomy. In 1959, the Dalai Lama
failed in his bid to oust China’s puppet rule as the Tibetan uprising was defeated by
the more powerful Chinese force. The Dalai Lama, together with his followers escaped
to India, and are now living there as refugees.
With the implementation of Mao Zedong’s “Great Leap Forward” from 1958 to 1961,
or China’s socio-economic campaign to transform the country into a socialist society,
between 200,000 to 1,000,000 Tibetans tragically met their death. During Mao
Zedong’s “Cultural Revolution,” a socio-political movement from 1966 to 1976 aimed
at eliminating capitalism and traditionalism from China, around 6,000 monasteries
were destroyed. Tragically, China’s occupation of Tibet has led to countless deaths of
many Buddhist monks, nuns, and laiety who wished to continue their religious
practices in their native land (Douglas 2007).
From 1959 to 1977, almost all elements of Tibetan Buddhism were obliterated.
While many hundred thousand Tibetans were killed, others were driven to exile.
Presently, the Dalai Lama has been continuously visiting other countries preaching a
message of hope and peace. He has been given numerous citations for various
international advocacies and teaching activities, such as the Ramon Magsaysay
Award for Community Leadership (1959), Nobel Peace Prize (1989), U.S.
Congressional Gold Medal (2007), and Templeton Prize (2012).
Engaged Activism
Ritual suicides led by Buddhist monks have transpired in the twentieth century
as a form of protest to governmental actions. For example, a crisis occurred between
Buddhists and the South Vietnamese government led by Ngo Dinh Diem in the 1960s
that had tremendous effect in politics, militancy, and religious tolerance (Braswell
1994). As a result of persecutions undertaken by the government against Buddhists,
monks began to lambast the regime that eventually resulted in the self-immolation of
Thich Quang Duc, a Vietnamese Mayahana Buddhist monk. He voluntarily burned
himself to death in a busy Saigon road intersection in 1963. Later on, several other
monks followed his example. The regime tried in vain to suppress Buddhist resistance
through massive retaliation and nation-wide assaults in Buddhist pagodas. Temples
were defaced, monks were beaten, and Quanc Duc’s cremated remains were
confiscated. Eventually, the regime lost support from the US and an army coup
brought down Diem. Amid religious protests and non-violent struggle, Diem was
assassinated in 1963.
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What’s More
Instruction: Briefly describe the four popular Sutras in Mahayana Buddhism using the
graphic organizer below. Do this in your notebook.
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What I Can Do
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content/uploads/2017/03/adult-1807526_1920.jpg %2FJ_Paul2_dnhs_US_2011&psig=AOvVaw1UR0gOISeqfvVRQm1
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QjRxqFwoTCMCRnYKguesCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAD
Instructions: Answer the questions below and write it in your activity notebook. (5pts
each)
1. Look at the pictures above, how do you feel upon looking at the pictures?
Explain.
2. As a Christian, do you think that the teachings of Buddhism are also applicable
to you to become a better person? Explain and cite an example.
Assessment
TEST I: Identify the following statements. Write your answers in your activity notebook.
1. It is known as the Great Vehicle and arose in North India in the 3rd Century CE.
2. This sutra refers to the perfected way of seeing the nature of reality.
3. The key message of this Sutra is the Buddhahood.
4. The teaching of this Sutra is about the rebirth of the believers by repeatedly
invoking the name of Amitabha Buddha.
5. It is the spontaneous desire to achieve the state of being enlightened.
6. How many bhumis must a bodhisattva pass before entering the so-called
“Buddhahood”?
7. It is a sect in Mahayana Buddhism emphasizes that salvation is a personal
matter and one cannot receive assistance from other entities.
8. He believed that other Buddhist Sects in Japan were corrupting the people
towards hell.
9. He was the Tibetan King who introduced Buddhism during his reign.
10. A Chinese leader who is the cause of the permanent exile of Dalai Lama in
India.
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Additional Activities
Copy the data retrieval chart below in your notebook. Afterwards, complete the
needed information about Tzu Chi Organization.
Founder
Year Founded
Achievements
Organization’s Vision
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Glossary
Sukhāvatī, - refers to the western pure land of Amitābha in Mahayana Buddhism. The
Sanskrit sukhavatī (sukhāvatī) is the feminine form of sukhāvat ("full of
joy; blissful"),[1][2] from sukha ("delight, joy") and -vat ("full of").
Trikaya - the concept of the three bodies, or modes of being, of the Buddha.
Bodhisattva - a person who is able to reach nirvana but delays doing so out of
compassion in order to save suffering beings.
Nirvana - a transcendent state in which there is neither suffering, desire, nor sense of
self, and the subject is released from the effects of karma and the cycle of
death and rebirth. It represents the final goal of Buddhism.
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References
Books
Jerome A. Ong and Mary Dorothy dL. Jose, Vibal Group
Introduction to World Religions and Belief Systems
Internet Sources:
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Sukhavati
https://www.ancient.eu/Mahayana_Buddhism/
http://factsanddetails.com/asian/cat64/sub416/entry-
5665.html#:~:text=Mahayana%20Main%20scriptures%3A%20Sutras%20(sacred,%2
C%20emptiness%2C%20and%20Ultimate%20Reality.
https://www.sgi.org/about-us/buddhist-lineage/lotus-sutra.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prajnaparamita#:~:text=Praj%C3%B1%C4%81p%C4%8
1ramit%C4%81%20means%20%22the%20Perfection%20of,(Tibetan%3A%20Yum
%20Chenmo).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heart_Sutra
https://depts.washington.edu/chinaciv/bud/5imgbodd.htm#:~:text=others%20attain%
20enlightenment,Bodhisattvas%20are%20enlightened%20beings%20who%20have
%20put%20off%20entering%20paradise,or%20inward%20than%20the%20Buddha.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/buddhism/subdivisions/tibetan_1.shtml
Leung, Brenda. “A Great Insight into the Charity of Tzu Chi.” Buddhistdoor.net
https://www.buddhistdoor.net/features/a-great-insight-into-the-charity-of-tzu-chi.
(accessed October 15, 2020).
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