Schools of Mahāyāna Buddhism (Essay Sample)

SCHOOLS OF MAHĀYĀNA BUDDHISM Student’s Name Course Title Professor’s Name Date Schools of Mahāyāna Buddhism Yogacara was one of the inherent philosophical schools of the Mahāyāna Buddhism. It was associated with the school of thought that embraces the yoga practices. Moreover, it was also related to the culture of meditation as a primary practice. The history of the school was associated with the Saṃdhinirmocana Sūtra which was the foundation of two brothers called Vasubandhu and Asanga. Yogacara is a school of the Mahāyāna Buddhism which dwells on the indulgence of consciousness and meditative approaches through the Saṃdhinirmocana Sūtra. The timing of the foundation of the school can be attributed to the 4th and 5th century, CE. It was founded based on the major concepts that affected how well the school of thought was unique as compared to the other schools in the Mahāyāna Buddhism. The two brothers were associated with meditation practices that were meant to ensure that they gained the understanding of Maitreya who transported them to Tusita heaven. After a long period of silence and meditation, the two brothers were transported to the desired destination and taught the different ways of Yogacara works. Asanga invited other members of the Buddhist families to join the doctrine and the concepts.[Ian Mabbett, “The Problem of the Historical Nāgārjuna Revisited,” Journal of the American Oriental Society 118, no. 3 (July 1998), doi:10.2307/606062.] The two individuals engaged in the writing of different teachings and tenets that enhanced the development of the summary of their teachings. Moreover, Asanga was the original founder of the meditation while Vasubandhu participated in the spread of the fundamental teachings of the Buddhist. Vasubandhu developed two wings that were associated with the spread fundamental tenets of the school. Logico-epistemic approach and Abhidharmic psychology are some of the two directions that were promoted by the brother. The school of thought became influential in the time of Kant where key issues were involved. Moreover, the explanation of critical issue such as the sense of idealism that it provides to the Buddhist view in a broad sense. Moreover, the popularity of the school of thought was also developed from the idea of consciousness that were associated with meditation. The force and the operation of the Buddhist school were also related to the rise of the need to understand how well the mind is operated. Furthermore, the view of karma from the view of Yogacara was another perspective that as associated with the rise of the school of thought. The concept of karma is an important idea in the Buddhist religion. The cognitive nature of karma is one of the key approaches that are associated with the increase in the relevance of the school. Moreover, the school also implied that non-cognitive approaches were also considered as non-karmic. Additionally, the eight consciousness factors were also some of the outstanding innovative ideas that were related to the studied school of thought. All these factors determined the popularity of the school of thought that was introduced by the two brothers. There were some key scriptures (Sutra) that were associated with the Yogacara school of Buddhism. According to the school of thought, it was implied that the aspect of consciousness was a relevant issue of study in the Yogacara School. It was also concerned with the interpretation of the main issues relating to the development of dialogue that was between bodhisattvas and Gautama Buddha. The scripture also demonstrated the meanings of some of the certain issues within the school of thoughts which affected the Buddhists. The ultimate truth and the eight layers of consciousness are some of the major themes that are presented in the scripture of the Yogacara School. The principal aim of the scripture had a major intention in which it aimed at changing the inconsistent elements that existed in the previous school of thoughts. Laṅkāvatāra Sutra is also considered one of the major scriptures that were used in influencing the relationship between the Yogacara School of thoughts and the practices involved. Pratyutpanna Samādhi Sūtra and Daśabhūmika Sūtra were also some of the sutras that were involved in the interpretation of the ideologies of the school of Buddhism.[Paul Williams, Mahāyāna Buddhism: The Doctrinal Foundations (New York: Routledge, 1989).] The teachings and practices of Yogacara have a direct relationship with the issues of the eight layers of consciousness. The teachings and practices are aimed at elaborating the issues of rebirth and the occurrence of karma as a system of understanding. It explains the actions of good and bad deeds and how well the aspect ...