Part 13 - Special Features of Mahāyāna

Mahāyāna Buddhism holds some special features; these are as follows:

1. Mahāyāna believes firmly in the spirit of Buddha’s teachings.

2. Mahāyāna scriptures are written in form of Sūtras in Sanskrit. This form of Buddhism gained recognition at the time of Kanishka. The Third Buddhist Council recognized these two forms of Buddhism.

3. It believes in salvation by faith.

4. Followers of Mahāyāna are known as Bodhisattvas, who are instructed to attain Bodhi-praṇidhi-citta and Bodhi-prasthāna-citta, i.e., by the former term it is meant that they are to take the vow that they want to attain Bodhi and ultimately become a Buddha, and by the latter term it is meant that the Bodhisattvas are to start attempts for attaining perfection in the six perfections (pāramitās) and Daśa bhūmis. Their aim should be to realize the highest truth paramārtha-satya), which is vast and of one taste like the ocean, in which all rivers lose their identities.

5. The Mahāyāna ideal is salvation for all that is why it is called as greater vehicle.

6. Mahāyāna holds the law of karuna / compassion over and above the law of karma.

7. Mahāyāna upholds the ideals of Boddhisatva / the saviour–who is concerned about the salvation of others.

8. This sect believes in the divine qualities of Buddha and thus believes in Idol Worship.

9. According to Mahāyāna, all beings possess Buddha-nature, technically known as the Tathāgata-garbha (womb of Tathāgatas), which is a mixture of both good and evil, and it.is only when the evils of a being are totally eradicated, the particular being becomes a Tathāgata.

10. Mahāyāna Buddhism is spread across India, China, Japan, Vietnam, Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, Nepal, Tibet, Bhutan, and Mongolia. Tibetan Buddhism is a tradition of Mahāyāna only.

11. The fundamental principles of Mahāyāna doctrine are based on the possibility of universal liberation from suffering for all beings. Therefore this is considered the ‘Great Vehicle’.

12. The doctrine of Bhakti has evolved as a characteristic feature of Mahāyāna Buddhism.

13. Mahāyāna is developed around the symbolism of Buddha’s life and personality.

14. Nāgārjuna was the most outstanding exponent of Mahāyāna Buddhism.