Three Rafts for Crossing the River: Theravada Mahayana Vajrayana

Buddhists compare the quest for salvation to the crossing of a river On this side of the river is the realm of samsara. On the other side nirvana Buddhism has divided into three great rafts or vehicles Theravada – the lesser vehicle Mahayana – the great vehicle Vajrayana – the vehicle of the diamond 2

Theravada: “The Way of the Elders” Means the way of the elders Conservative movement Follows the earliest texts Tends to agree with the original teachings of the Buddha The Buddha experienced enlightenment and then taught others how to accomplish the same The teachings of the Buddha are most important than the Buddha himself Focuses on the teachings of the Buddha: cultivate wisdom through knowing the four Noble Truths and eightfold path The heart of Theravada Buddhism is its community of monks

Mahayana: The Great Vehicle The largest division of Buddhism- half of the world’s Buddhists Focuses on the Buddha himself – celebrating him as a divine savior It opens the door to religious devotion and prayer Offers salvation through the infinite grace of the compassionate Buddha Recognizes the salvific grace of all the Buddhas of the past Reveres bodhisattvas

Bodhisattvas Are Buddhas in the making dedicated to attaining enlightenment Capable of entering into nirvana but motivated by compassion stop to help others achieve it Exist beyond an earthly ream and are believed to dwell in one of the Buddhist heavens, from which they provide divine assistance to those who worship them Transfer merit of their karma to their devotees On occasion they appear in the world as human beings The ideal type rather than the arhat Compassion is the supreme virtue- more important than wisdom Have vowed that they will wait to enter nirvana until “the last blade of grass” has become enlightened.

Vajrayana: Tibetan Buddhism Means the vehicle of the diamond or vehicle of the lightning bolt The name suggests strength, clarity, wisdom, and flashes of light Practices and beliefs constituted by special chants and rituals Interested in the acquisition of both internal and external powers and holds that such powers may be attained through proper ritual.

Vajrayana’s homeland Homeland is Tibet Has endured religious persecution by China’s communist government Many have been killed Many others are now living in exile in India and elsewhere

Origins of Vajrayana Vajrayana Buddhism was influenced by Tantric Buddhism Named Tantric for its scriptures the Tantras meaning “spread out” The Tantras taught that the body and all its energies could be used to reach enlightenment Tantric Buddhism shows influence from Hinduism

Lama A Tibetan spiritual teacher is often called lama Lama is a Tibetan translation of the word guru This title is frequently used as a title of honor for all monks

Dalai Lama Another important feature of Vajrayana is its institution of lamas A hierarchy of clergy headed by the Dalai Lama Dalai Lama means “ocean superior one” Originated with the incarnation of a prominent bodhisattva The lineage is believed to continue through the reincarnation of one Dalai Lama into the next Whenever a Dalai Lama dies, his successor (incarnation) is sought, found, and trained. A delegation of monks consult a state oracle about the place of rebirth, take objects that belonged to the previous Dalai Lama and mixed them with similar objects. The boy who recognizes the objects is chosen as the Dalai Lama

Objects play a key role Vajra- Sanskrit for either Diamond or Lightening Bolt - a metal object Bell- symbolizes wisdom When used together, one in each hand, they represent the union of wisdom and compassion

Means to achieve enlightenment in Vajrayana Buddhism: Mudras – choreographed hand gestures, can be performed to a chant For example, the right hand extended with the palm outward and the finger pointing up is a mudra of blessing If the palm is open but the hand is turned downward, the mudra symbolizes generosity

Means to achieve enlightenment in Vajrayana Buddhism: Mantras – resonating chants that harness the spiritual potency of sound Can be chanted or written to bring power and wisdom through repetition

Means to achieve enlightenment in Vajrayana Buddhism: Mandalas- geometrical designs that present reality in symbolic forms- used in meditation

Human beings are attracted to the world through vivid images, sounds, tastes, dances, rituals, etc. Tantric Buddhism believes that the individual can “fight fire with fire” by confronting worldly attractions through paintings, chants, rituals, and mandalas How does Vajrayana Buddhism “fight fire with fire”? It harnesses the energy of desire and turns it against itself Doing this helps to detach from the attractions they are confronted with

Mandala Mandala is Sanskrit for circle, polygon, community, connection. The mandala is often illustrated as a palace with four gates, facing the four corners of the Earth. Geometrical art form Often used in meditation It may represent in symbolic form the entire universe, the palace of a deity, or even the self A common form is a circle within or enclosing a square, or a series of circles and squares that grow smaller and smaller as they come closer to the center of the design Another form looks like a checkerboard of many squares For some ceremonies, monks create a mandala in sand Then destroy it at the end of the ritual, expressing vividly the Buddhist teaching that everything must change

Mandala Geometrical art form Often used in meditation It may represent in symbolic form the entire universe, the palace of a deity, or even the self A common form is a circle within or enclosing a square, or a series of circles and squares that grow smaller and smaller as they come closer to the center of the design Another form looks like a checkerboard of many squares It may appear as a painting on cloth, but it may take many forms For some ceremonies, monks create a mandala in sand Then destroy it at the end of the ritual, expressing vividly the Buddhist teaching that everything must change

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