Section B: Buddhist Philosophy

A Presentation
by
Mahendra Ratna Shakya
2075-1-3/April 16, 2018
 Unit 4 Later Buddhist Philosophy

 4.1. Mahayana
 4.1.1. Bodhisattva Ideals, Bodhisattva Samvara (Bodhisattva
precepts),Bodhicitta generation
 4.1.2. Concept of Tri–kāya: Dharmakāya, Sambhogakāya, Nirmānakāya
 4. 1. 3. Concept of Tathāgata and Tathāgatagarbha

 4.2. Vajrayana
 4.2.1. Vajrayāna Philosophy and Practice
 4. 2. 2. Vajrayāna Philoshophy
 4. 2. 3. Vajrayāna Practice
 4. Later Buddhist Philosophy
Mahayana - Bodhisattva Ideals, Bodhisattva samvara (precepts),
Bodhicitta generation
Bodhisattva Ideals
A Bodhisattva (af]lw;Œj Pāli Bodhisatta af]lw;Q), literally a 'Bodhi-being' is a
person who is committed to Bodhi. Bodhi means the knowledge of enlightenment.
Buddhist literature describes three types of Bodhi, such as Srāvaka Bodhi
>fjsaf]lw, Prateka Bodhi k|To]saf]lw, and Samyakasambodhi ;Dos\;Daf]lw.
One who attains Srāvakabodhi is called Arhat (cx{t)\, and he who gains Prateka Bodhi is
known as Pratyekabuddha (k|To]sa'4). Pratyekabuddha is a person who had realized
Awakening independently, like a Buddha, but who did not teach and preach to other.
A person who attends or full Buddhahood is called
Samyakasambodhi
Samyakasambuddha (;Dos\;Da'4). Samyaksambodhi is ranked to be the highest
among all Bodhis.
One who is committed to attain any one out of three Bodhis can be referred to as
Bodhisattva. But moreover, the Bodhisattva is someone who aims for full
Buddhahood for the benefit of all beings. His aim is great, so he is also known as
great being or Mahāsattva (dxf;Œj).
Although Srāvakayāna focuses on Arhathood, the concept of Bodhisattva originated
from early Buddhism. The word Bodhisatta first occurred in Pāli Dighanikāya.
According to Pāli tradition a person has to fulfill the eight requirements to become
a Boddhisattva. These requisites are he should be
1. a human, 2. a male, 3. capable of being an arhat; 4. should meet living Buddha,
5. should be a mendicant, 6. gain five miraculous knowledge –lbJorIf,' >f]t,
k"j{ hGd 1fg Cl41fg k/lrQ1fg_) and eight meditation, 7. offer himself to
Buddha, 8. strong will to attain Buddhahood.
According to early tradition, eons and eons ago Prince Siddhartha, in his one of the
past births received a prediction of Buddhahood by Dipankara Buddha. Then he
practiced ten perfections (Pāramitās) for eons and eons and finally attained
Buddhahood in the life of Siddhartha.
The ten perfections kf/dL -kf/ldtf_ are
The perfection of generosity (Dāna), morality (Sila), renunciation (Nekkhamma),
wisdom (Panna), energy/effort (Viriya), patience (Khanti), truthfulness (Saccha),
determination (Adhitthāna), loving-kindness (Mettā), and equanimity (Upekkhā).
bfg, ;Ln -zLn_, g]SvDd -g}iqmDo_, k~`f -k|1f_, ljl/o -jLo{_, vlGt
-IfflGt_, ;Rr -;To_, cl3¶fg -clwi7fg_, d]Qf -d}qL_, pk]Svf -pk]Iff_ .
According to Theravada tradition Prince Siddhartha in his past births and before
attaining Buddhahood, is called Bodhisattva. Similarly, the future Buddha Maitreya is
called Bodhisattva.
Mahāyāna Buddhism has some different views about the Bodhisattva ideal.
They omitted the eight requisites and gave equal emphasis on compassion and
wisdom aspects of Bodhisattva.
Andrew Skilton writes that Bodhisattva possess three qualities :
a) a profound, non-dual wisdom (advayajnāna cåo1fg), b) an extensive
compassion (Karunā s?0ff), and c) the presence of the Bodhicitta af]lwlrQ, which
literally means Bodhi-mind or will towards Enlightenment.
In other words advayajnāna (cåo1fg), Karunā (s?0ff) and Bodhicitta (af]lwlrQ)
are three essentials of Bodhisattva.
He has to fulfill the six pāramitās (kf/ldtf) for extremely long period. The pāramitās
are dāna (bfg), śila (zLn), vīrya (jLo{), kșānti (IfflGt), dhyāna (Wofg) and prajñā
(k|1f).
The celestial Bodhisattvas like Avalokitesvara (cjnf]lst]Zj/), Manjushree (d~h'>L),
Maitreya (d}q]o), Vajrapāni (jh|kf0fL), and other Bodhisattvas are considered as
the higher stage Bodhisattvas.
Ten grounds (bhumis e"ld) of Bodhisattva are described. After the completion of
ten bhumis one can attain Buddhahood.
Two types of Bodhicitta – Sambriti Bodlhicitta (;+j[lt af]lwlrQ) and Paramārtha
Bodhicitta (k/dfy{ af]lwlrQ).
Bodhicitta is a strong zeal to become a Buddha for the benefit of all sentient beings.
It is called Sambriti Bodhicitta. However the Paramārtha Bodhicitta is the realization
of Sunyatā ({z"Gotf 1fg ;fIffTsf/). The knowledge of emptiness is itself a
Paramārtha bodhicitta.
Two types of Sambriti Bodhicitta –

1. af]lw k|l0flw lrQ -Aspirational Bodhicitta_ - It is an aspiration (k|
l0fwfg) or desire to become a Buddha for the benefit of all beings.

2. af]lw k|:yfg lrQ -Engaging Bodhicitta) – After arising aspirational
bodhicitta, he should follow the Bodhisattva Path or take the Bodhisattva-vow. To
engage in the path is called Bodhi-prasthān citta.

Bodhicitta Generation (af]lwlrQf]Tkfb)

To generate a citta/mind with a wish to attain enlightenment for the benefit of others
motivated by compassion is called Bodhicitta generation.
Tothink as 'Let I attain Buddhahood for the benefit of others' is Bodhicitta generation.
(a'Wbf] ej]o+ hutf] lxtfo).
Ifan ordinary man has to take bodhisattva precepts, he should first generate bodhicitta
before his Guru or Tri-ratna. After generating bodhicitta Bodhisattva has to take eight precepts
and other vows.
There are two types of Bodhisattvas-
a) Ādikarmika (cflbsld{s) Bodhisattva = Novice or beginner Bodhisattva, who has
recently generated bodhicitta.
b) Ārya(cfo{) Bodhisattva= Full-fledged Bodhisattva, who is walking on the path &
has realized the sunyatā for the first time and reached first stage (bhumi) of
bodhisattva.
Methods of generating bodhicitta
Various methods are developed to cultivate the bodhicitta. One of the most widely

used is the anuttarapujā or saptavidhāna puja (cg'Q/k"hf,;Ktljwfgk"hf). This

method is described in Gandabyuhasutra u08Jo"x;"q .
The anuttarapujā 'supreme worship' consists seven spiritual experiences like

salutation to the Triratna, going for refuge jGbg; worship of the Buddhas k"hg;
confession of one's faults kfkb]zgf; rejoicing in the merits of others
k'0ofg'df]bgf, requesting the Buddha for teaching or turning the wheel of law
cWo]if0ff, request to Buddha for living aeons and aeons ofrgf and the
transference of one's merit to others for the attainment of Buddhahood kl/0ffdgf.
Two types of traditional methods to generate bodhicitta
1. Seven instructions on cause and effect -x]t'kmnsf] ;ft
pkb]zåf/f_
2. Exchange of self with others -cfTdk/fjt{gåf/f_
Among them seven instructions on cause and effect method was taught by Buddha
to Maitreya Bodhisattva and then by Maitreya to Asanga. Thus is called Maitreya-
Asanga Tradition. And the second one is known as Manjushri- Nagārjuna Tradition.
a). Seven Instructions on cause and effect
1. Equanimity ;dtf - equal behave to all friend and enemy.
2. Awareness of mother sentient beings dft[;+1fefjgf- all beings
should be treated as mother.
3. Remembering their kindness dft[u'0ffg':d[lt
4. Repaying their kindness k|To'ksf/
5. Immaculate love dg1 d}qL – clean, unstained, pure loving
kindness. Each moment wishes 'May all be happy'
6. Altruistic Attitude cWofzo lrQ – responsibility to liberate all
beings.
7. Bodhicitta generation af]lwlrQf]Tkfb - May I be enlightened
for the benefit of all sentient beings.

b)Exchange of self with others Method

1. Equanimity of self with others cfTd;dtf/k/fTd;dtf - Every people wants
happiness. No one likes suffering. I also do the same. Thus no difference between
me and other, I need to love all like myself.
2. Fault of self-cherishing cfTd:g]xdf bf]if – self-cherishing is faulty. It is
because of self-cherishing I am experiencing the suffering, wandering the misery
world. I can't release from suffering without giving-up self-cherishing.
3. Cherishing others k/:g]x – In comparison to other beings I am a small or one
unit of whole sentient beings. So I have to give preference to others first. I must love
others.
4. Exchange of self with others cfTdk/fjt{g – It does not mean transform oneself with
others. But surrender oneself to the happiness of others. To give more important to others
than oneself.
5. Giving & Taking n]gb]g – It is not actually transactions of materials, but the wishes of
taking others pain by oneself and giving one's happiness to other. In the Ratnāvali Text
mentions Bodhisattva should think that May their sins ripen (come to maturity) for me and
all my virtues for them.
 In this way a Bodhisattva should generate Bodhi-mind with great loving kindness and
compassion to others.
c) Another method is the Eight Verses on Mind Training Practice ci6Znf]sL dltzf]wg
cEof; -
 1. I will cherish all sentient beings who are precious than wish-granting jewel -lrGtfdl0f
/Tg_
2. Whenever I associate with others, I will learn to think of myself as the lowest among all and
respectfully hold others to be supreme.
 3. I will learn to give-up my afflictive (si6s/) emotions in my mind which makes harm to
other.
 4. I will learn to cherish beings of bad nature (kfkL) like a precious treasure.
5. When others out of jealousy treat me badly with abuse, slander -abgfdL_, and
so on, I will learn to take all loss and offer the victory to them 6. I will learn to view
that person, who hurts me badly, as an excellent spiritual friend (sNof0fldq
;Demg]).
7. In short I will take all harms of others and offer help and happiness to all.
8. I will learn to keep all these practices unstained by
astalokadharmaci6nf]swd{, the eight worldly conceptions and I will try to release
from the bondage of attachment. Profit & loss, fame & anonymity,
humiliation & honor, happiness & sorrow are called the 'Eight Laws
relating to vicissitude or alternation of life’. ci6nf]swd{= Nffe cnfe, oz
coz, lgGbf k|z+;f, ;'v b'Mv

Bodhisattva samvara (;+j/zLn precepts)

Bodhisattva samvara protects the Bodhisattva from doing actions which bring
unhappy results and helps to attain enlightenment quickly and easily.
Bodhisattva has to practice Eight Precepts, 18 Mulapattis and 46 other vows.
Ākāshgarbha sutra mentions 18 Mulāpattis of Bodhisattva, which is to be
abandoned. It is called 18 root vows.
Eight Precepts
1. Remember the advantages of bodhicitta again and again.
2. To strengthen one's bodhicitta, generate the thought to attain enlightenment
for the benefit of all sentient beings three times in the morning and three times
in the evening,
3. Do not give up working for sentient beings even when they are harmful.
4. To enhance one's bodhicitta, accumulate both merit and wisdom (k'0o;+ef/,
1fg;+ef/) continuously.
5. Do not deceive the Guru, abbot or other holy beings with lies.
6. Do not regret other's virtuous actions (c?sf] s'zn sfo{df vf]6 gnufpg])
7. Not to abuse or criticize Bodhisattva or Mahayana.
8. Not acting with pretension and deceit but act with a pure selfless wish.
ci6fbzd"nfklQ -18 root vows)
1. Praising oneself (cfTdk|z+;f) or belittling others (k/lgGbf) because of attachment on benefit,
respect and greed.(nfe;Tsf/sf] nf]esf] jzdf k/]/)
2. Not giving material aid or dharma to those who are suffering and without protector (b'MvL,
a];xf/fnfO{ wg / wd{ bfg glbg')
3. Not listening and blaming others with anger though they declare their offence (dflkm dfu] klg Ifdf
glbg').
4. Abandoning Mahayana by saying that Mahayana texts are not the words of Buddha or teaching the
Dharma as per his will. (dxfofg a'4jrg gdfGg', :j]R5fn] wd{b]zgf ug'{)
5. Taking things belonging to Buddha, Dharma and Sangha.
6. Abandoning the Dharma by saying that texts which teach the three vehicles are not the Buddha's
word.(lqofgsf wd{ u|GynfO{ a'Wbjrg x}g egL lt/:sf/ ug'{ )
7. To deprive monk's robe and beating them with anger even if they have impure morality by saying that
being ordained is useless (qm]fwåf/f leIf'x?sf] rLj/ Tofu ug{ nufpg', lk6\g', leIf' x'g'
a]sf/ egL rLj/ ptfg{ nufpg')
8. Committing five heinous or great crimes (k+rdxfkfk ug'{)

9. Holding distorted views or wrong views (ldYof b[li6 wf/0f)

10 destroying town, village, city or large area by any means like fire, bombs, pollution or black magic
(cfuf], s'ljBfåf/f jf cGo s'g} pkfoåf/f zx/ ufp“, b]z Wj:t ug]{ )
11. Teaching emptiness to those whose minds are unprepared or unpracticed ( cEof;
gk'u]sfnfO{ z"Gotfsf] pkb]z lbg')
12. Sent to the Bodhisattvas to Sravaka vehicle.
13. Attract to monk sravakas to Mahayana.

14. False prediction of realizing profound emptiness.(z"Gotf ;fIffTsf/ geP klg ul/;s]
+ egL ldYofjfbL x'g')
15. Saying the followers of Sravaka, Prateka vehicle that their path can't remove the
defilements.
16. Accepting the stolen property of Buddhist monastery and monks.

17. To give emphasis to samatha meditator on only reciting the texts .(zdy Wofg cEof;
ul//x]sfnfO{ 5f]8fP/ kf7 dfq ug{ nufpg')
18. abandoning the practice of bodhicitta (af]lwlrQsf] cEof; 5f]8\g')
The Trikaya Doctrine
The Yogacara School was also responsible for developing three body doctrine of the
Buddha.
Buddha possess three types of body (kaya sfo) – Dharmakāya wd{sfo (dharma-

body), Sambhogakāya ;Def]usfo (body of complete enjoyment), and nirmānakāya

lgdf{0fsfo (transformed or created body).
Dharmakāya is the knowledge body of the Buddha. It's spiritual body or true body

of Buddha. Thirty seven factors of enlightenment, four brahmavihāra and many

other qualities or teachings are called dhamma body.
 Buddha, on his last days, said to Anada that his teachings will guide as a Buddha

after his demise. Dhamma is your master, your Buddha.

According to Mahayana Buddhism the realization of sunyatā is Dharmakāya.

Vajrayāna Buddhism classified five knowledge of Buddha as Dharmakāya.

Sambhogakāya is a Bliss Body/Perfect enjoyment body of Buddha, which is acquired from the

meritorious acts done by Buddha in his past Bodhisattva life.


This body will possess 32 major and 80 minor auspicious marks of the Buddha and this kaya always
reside on heaven and teaches Mahayana.
Sambhogakāya Buddha also wears ornaments. Not only Buddha's but Bodhisattva's

also have this type of body. Pancha Buddhas, Avalokitesvara, Majusri etc. are
Sambhogakāya aspects.
Nirmankāya is a created body of Buddha. He creates various bodies for the benefit of sentient beings.
These all are called Nirmānakāya.
 According to Mahayana Shakyamuni Buddha is a Nirmanakaya of Panccbuddha. People only see the

nirmankaya aspects of Buddha.

There are three types Nirmankayas-

1. Supreme/emanation Nirmanakaya- This body possesses 32 and 80 marks. Dipankara,

Shakyamuni and many other human Buddhas are called suprime nirm ānakāya. This form of body
completed the deeds caryā of Tathagata.
2. Birth (Jāti) Nirmānakāya – Avatāri Lamas etc.
3. Silpa Nirmankāya- It is a created body to perform certain purpose like fan girl to teach Queen Khemā of
Bimbisāra.

Concept of Tathagata and Tathagatagarbha

Tathagata
In Vajrayana system, Panchabuddhas are called tathagata. Panchabuddhas are the
symbolic representation of five skandhas and five knowledges.
Five Skandhas (five aggregates) are form (?k :sGw), feeling (j]bgf :sGw)
perception (;+1f :sGw), mental formation (;+:sf/ :sGw) and consciousness
(lj1fg :sGw)
Five Buddhas – Five Aggregates – five wisdom

1. Vairocana - form - all pervasive wisdom (;'ljz'4 wd{wft' 1fg)

2. Aksobhya – Consciousness - mirror like wisdom (cfbz{ 1fg)

3. Ratnasambhava – feeling - wisdom of equanimity (;dtf 1fg)
4 . Amitabha – perception – discriminating wisdom (k|Toj]If0ff 1fg)
5. Amoghasiddhi – Mental formation – all accomplishing wisdom (s[Tofg'i7fg 1fg)

Tathagatagarbha
Tathagatagarbha is the womb, embryo of the tathagata, or the seed of buddhahood
(a'WbTjsf] x]t' )which lies in all beings and which is uncovered through the spiritual
practice to shine forth or cast light at enlightenment.
With regard to the time taken by beings to get enlightenment, they are categorized into
five families.
1. cut-off family (cuf]q) – people who does all kinds of negative work
2. Dubious family (clgot uf]q) – their time for achieving enlightenment
depend on condition
3. Sravaka family (>fjs uf]q) – those who wish for arhathood
4. Prateka Buddha family (k|To]sa'4 uf]q) – those who wish for
pratekabuddhahood
5. Mahayana family (dxfofg uf]q) – those who strive for Samyakasambodhi
Among these five people from Mahayana Family takes the shortest time to
get enlightened.
Vajrayāna  
Vajrayāna Philosophy and Practice 
Meaning
The word Vajrayāna is composed of two words Vajra + Yāna. Here Vajra

has various meaning such as a weapon of God Indra, Thunderbolt,

Diamond, Wisdom etc. Yāna is vehicle. But here it means medium
(sādhana). Vajra also bears the meaning nirvana or moksha the
liberation. Thus Vajrayāna is a path leading to Nirvāna.
Philosophy
In some tantra literature it is said that the knowledge of sunyatā

emptiness is called Prajnā (k|1f).

Mahākarunā is the great compassion. It is also called Upāya (pkfo).
 Vajrayāna is the system of the union of Wisdom and Compassion (k|

1f / pkfosf] PsfTds ?k cyjf cåo :j?k).

Vajrayāna follow the four philosophical schools of Buddhism. In fact it is

a union of tantra and sutra system.

Hevajra tantra itself speaks that one should practice first the four

philosophical system of practice then enter into the tantra practice.

The main philosophy of Vajrayāna can be termed as
1. Sarvaprakam jagato hitāya (;j{ k|sf/+ hutf] lxtfo) - to work
for the benefit of the world by any means.
2. Yena bandhyete tena mucyante (o]g aGWo]t], t]g}j
d'RoGt] )– one which entices, the same will open the tie. It
means defilements cuts the defilements just like diamond cuts
diamond. The consciousness make the man fool but the
consciousness make man Buddha.
3. Upabhogena ksheyam na parityāgena (pkef]u]g Ifo+ g
kl/Tofu]g)- consumption makes cease but not cease by
abandon. Lust, hatred and delusion are the main defilements.
It can be ceased by consumption.
4. Visena sphotayat visam (ljif]0f :kmf]6o]b\ ljifd\) – poison
release the poison. The consumption of lust cuts the lust.
5. Sansārameva nirvana (;+;f/d]j lgjf{0fd\)- No difference
between world and liberation. Because both are empty nature.
Vajrayāna Practice
 
Vjrayāna can't be practiced without a teacher. Thus a

perfect teacher is in the higher position in Vajrayāna. Pupil

has to imagine his teacher as Vajrasattva. Only highly
initiated pupils are eligible to practice the Vajrayana system.
They practice specially the following things:
1. Ritual puja or worship
2. Mandala initiation
3. Mantra practice
4. Samādhi Yoga practice such as candāli yoga, utkranti
yoga, smasāna yoga etc.(r08fnL of]u, pTqmflGt of]u,
Zdzfg of]u)
All these are practiced under kriyā, caryā, yoga, and
anuttara yoga system. (lqmof, rof{, of]u, cg'Q/of]u)