Buddhism is one of the world’s largest religious beliefs that believes that the life of a human being is that of suffering. Buddhists believe that the suffering of human beings can be solved through meditation and good behavior (Mark 2021). The concept of Buddhism has its origin in India and spread across Asia to other parts of the world (Mark 2021). The first person to undergo the concept of suffering that formed the belief of Buddhists was Siddartha Gautama, and until today, he is recognized as the Buddha. During his time, Gautama took time observing how people died from hunger, illness, and other sufferings, and that is when he concluded that human life was that of suffering. Therefore, those who subscribe to the Buddhist religious concept do not believe in the existence of any superpower.
Mahayana Buddhism operates as one of the sections of the Buddhist movement. The Mahayana is believed to be the largest Buddhist section worldwide, and its practice is extreme compared to other Buddhist movements. The concept of Mahayana can be traced to Mahasanghika. This early school developed when the Sthaviravada School, constituting a section of elders, broke away from the Buddhist community over doctrinal differences. Further, the Mahayana Buddhists believed in various principles held by Mhasanghika. The principles were that one was to take a vow before incarnation to be born in non-favorable areas to help others overcome their challenges and sufferings.
The second concept or principle was that only the present exists. The past and the future, according to the Mahayana, are an illusion. Thirdly, Mahayanas believes that spirits and supernatural circumstances exist only when they are seen or witnessed because the past and the future are illusions (Mark, 2021). Lastly, Mahayana believes that by being enlightened, they possess powers that can make one pass a message without a speech (Mark, 2021). However, the remarkable difference in the concept of Mahayana was their bodhisattva concept. The concept means that when one succeeds, the whole world has succeeded. Further, they believe that when one has attained a certain responsibility, he should help others attain the same. Additionally, the Mahayana understood the Buddha as the Supreme Being and accepting to live in his ways equals a spiritual reward.
The Mahayana observes the beliefs in their daily life through various practices. The practices include giving to those who don’t have generously, observing high moral concepts, practicing the virtue of patience, and many others. The beliefs are included in one’s daily life to live on the right path.
The Mahayana believes in a free world where one may escape by attaining a certain level of freedom and relief from suffering. Additionally, the Mahayana believes more in the knowledge and wisdom possed by an individual. Further, they believe that when they have the knowledge and wisdom, they feel wary of what is happening around them and how they should handle it. However, the problem arises in differentiating the various concepts of good and evil as existing. The Buddhist believes that these ills and good are illusions that should not surpass one’s mind, and therefore their existence cannot be proved.
Further, the Mahayana ask questions concerning the existence of truth. Some of the Mahayana concept scholars believe that there are two types of truth according to them: the absolute truth and the conventional truth (Mark, 2021). The difference between the two concepts implies that the truth is either existing or substantially existing. The confusion here raises attention in creating awareness amongst the Buddhists as questions will always be asked concerning where their undertakings commence. According to the Mahayana, understanding the absolute truth involves understanding the broad concept of the thing as it exists. However, the practices that do not act in accordance to the common understanding of reality are imposed.
The Mahayana has created a concept that creates an infinite number of Buddhists worldwide. However, one conclusion is drawn, the awareness campaign by the Buddhists has gained relevance over time. The teaching and practice by those possessing the doctrinal belief of Buddhism are believed to be the best in character and behavior. Moreover, this can be attributed to the wider concepts of the four tenents of the teaching of the Buddha. To pass a message to the Buddhist, the message has to be clear and concise. Further, the same message must conquer to the teachings of the Buddha.
Further, the Mahayana believes that only an individual has the knowledge of their theory, and it, therefore, is the mandate of that individual to work on their destiny. Therefore, to ensure one rises above the destiny play, the person must work hard. Notwithstanding, if there is someone who has an achievement like the one they want to obtain, the same people are responsible for making them rise. Additionally, according to the Mahayana, one must apply merit in the quest for wisdom in what is referred to as awareness.
Additionally, the Mahayana holds a crucial belief grounded on compassion, wisdom, and insight. The crucial belief is that everyone wishes to lead a normal and simple life on their wish to liberation. The concept of compassion is built within them and does not allow for convincing and disapproval by others. The implication of the concept depicts a low range of convincing in any other way other than the one believed. However, the concepts of awareness are explained further in this paper.
More simply, awareness has three limbs, according to the Mahayana. First, there is the concept of openness or emptiness. According to the belief, for one to witness something wider, they must be open and empty of the existence of the same thing. One cannot claim to have seen a thing when they already had an image or information at once. Therefore, according to Tibetan Buddhist teachings, openness means the absolute sight of a thing. Thus, one has to prove that they had no information about the existence of a particular thing before it occurred. Additionally, the concept keeps rotating around the question they cannot answer. The question sometimes includes the person’s feeling, the person’s pain, and such. They further believe that the more one asks a question, the less they can find what to land on. Therefore, the proponents of the belief ascertain that awareness is not in any form.
The question of openness and awareness brings the debate on how one can become aware that something exists. However, according to the Mahayana, the belief is that one’s stand in a life span proves the true nature of their stand. Once one is aware of the consequences of their behavior, they would not repeat the same behaviors as those will amount to their misconduct and therefore will be impure to live according to the Buddha’s way. Therefore, the concept of awareness is integral in making the decision and making one live in a way that is under the way of the Buddha.
The second scope of awareness is the concept of cognizance. Mahayana believes that in trying to understand certain concepts, the mind must be awake and mindful of the surrounding environment. The cognizant helps one get alert at any impending interpretation, understanding, and further relying on the same information. Moreover, one must have all the senses open and active in observing awareness. The concepts attribute to the two concepts of truth already discussed in this paper. One can make the right decision depending on the observation carried out with the conscious mind and belief (Watt, 2017). The absolute truth, in this matter, allows one to question and understand the investigative mechanism.
The conscious nature of awareness also makes one live according to the various principles of the Mahayana teaching of morality, uprightness, and such. Therefore, living according to these rules enables one to understand the wider concept of the world, making them live to the required state. According to the Mahayana, those who have a conscious brain and contemplate issues before acting are likely to live a pure life free from blemish concepts. However, the world has not been fully persuaded by the concept of conscious awareness. Most people believe that sometimes, the brain is not the absolute source of authority, and it relies on other parts of the body to be guided to perform. Thus, one may be alert in the brain, but if they are not alert even in other body organs, they may make decisions that are not acceptable in the society.
The concept of conscious awareness can be tied to the psychodynamic theory of crime which involves the id, the ego, and the superego. All three compose a human development. One cannot fully develop when the three notion are not in agreement. The concept of id controls one’s desire for pleasure. In enjoying the pleasure, the brain must be mindful that Mahayana wants their best behavior (Williams, 2019). Therefore, the conscious nature of the persons helps them create awareness in their conceptual development and living in the way of Buddha.
According to Buddhists, the third concept of awareness is unconditional love. When one needs uplifting and conviction, those close to the person should always help them, the same applies to when one sees someone struggling. According to the Mahayana, one can only develop a good culture by practicing compassion. The act includes even uplifting those who are not so fortunate in society. Most Buddhist believes that human life is full of suffering and the only way one can get over the same is through sharing and caring. According to Buddha, if they can find a way of dealing with suffering, human beings can be in a state of freedom. The Mahayana further argues that the other people who believe that some deity or supernatural beings control their lives are always insecure. Whenever they are threatened by something, they shun from it and embark on what they were initially doing without seeing the results but still believe the same will be changed. Accordingly, to the Mahayana, one must work and shape their destinies.
Moreover, they believe that if anything happens, the closest route to take is to find the possible solution to that problem. Further, the Mahayana believes in uplifting one another, and the concept of uplifting one another helps one grow both in soul and in the heart. Therefore, according to the Mahayana, it is of no value or essence that someone practices hatred and preaches disintegration among members.
In conclusion, Mahayana Buddhism has attracted wide interest from different scholars. Most scholars try to analyze how they carry out themselves, what forms their beliefs, and how they are implemented. The Mahayana believes that the human mind is on its own. Further, they believe that the mind can do what they decide to do without relying on some superpower or deity. In the concept of awareness, the Mahayana believes that the human mind has three concepts of awareness: emptiness, cognizance, and compassion. Under openness, the Mahayana believes that for one to tackle a concept, they must be open in mind and soul. The second notion of awareness is the theory of consciousness. The Mahayana believe that one must be mindful or aware of something before making a sound decision concerning the same. The third concept is of compassion, the belief of true love for one another forms the basis of the Mahayana belief. The paradigm allows various people to realize their existence and match towards realizing their dream.
References
Mark, Joshua. 2021. ” Mahayana Buddhism.” World history encyclopedia. Web.
Watt, Tessa. 2017. “Spacious awareness in Mahāyāna Buddhism and its role in the modern mindfulness movement.” Contemporary Buddhism
Williams, Paul. Mahayana Buddhism: the doctrinal foundations. Routledge, 2019.