1. Buddhism Theravada Mahayana Vajrayana Peg Weidner
Our Lady of Good Counsel High School
2007

2. Goal of Buddhism Goal – Nirvana Blown-out candle
Lose all desire, even desire to live
Energy is no more
Eternal bliss

3. Theravada Note – Oldest “The Lesser Vehicle” ?450-50 BCE
web.ukonline.co.uk/buddhism/unicity1.jpg

4. Theravada cont’d
Focus – adherence to and meditation on the teachings of Buddha

5. Theravada cont’d Goal – wisdom (Manjushri)

6. Theravada cont’d
Model – arhats

7. Theravada cont’d Enlightenment – seek nirvana ASAP
jyotisha.00it.com/Buddha2.jpg

8. Theravada cont’d
Audience – monastic community of monks/bhikkus and nuns/bhikkunis
The Sangha

9. Mahayana Note – “The Great Vehicle” most popular (50%) ?0-200 CE
academic.brooklyn.cuny.edu/.../minto/statue1.jpg

10. Mahayana cont’d Focus –
Recovery of Buddha’s experience of enlightenment
web.singnet.com.sg/~alankhoo/Buddha_Life.jpg

11. Mahayana cont’d
Goal –
Compassion
(Avalokitesvara)

12. Mahayana cont’d Model – bodhisattva
web.mit.edu/.../shuanglin_bodhisattva.jpg

13. Mahayana cont’d
Enlightenment – refuse nirvana until all are enlightened
extreme.k2.omsknet.ru/art/mystery_of_incarnat

14. Mahayana cont’d Audience – laity
(International Mahayana Institute of the FPMT)

15. Vajrayana Note -- “The Diamond Vehicle” Smallest ?600’s CE
members.tripod.com/~Kalachakra/gelug1.gif

16. Vajrayana cont’d Focus –
Special powers of rituals, diagrams, and objects

17. Vajrayana cont’d Goal – fight fire with fire
Harness energy of desire for good
Use art, chant, movement…

18. Vajrayana cont’d Model – Dalai Lama

19. Vajrayana cont’d Enlightenment – use desire to reach enlightenment
(mandala)
content.answers.com/.../d/d4/238px-Mandala1.jpg

20. Vajrayana cont’d Audience -- laity