The Rise of Mahayana: Historical Development and Doctrinal Shifts in Early Buddhism

Abstract

When Mahayana Buddhism appeared, it had a huge impact on the direction of Buddhist philosophy, doctrines and society in Asia. Roughly between 50 BCE and 200 CE, Mahayana (also known as the Great Vehicle) arose and served as a movement for broader and deeper changes within Buddhism compared to the earlier Theravāda which belonged to the Nikāya group. Even though the start of Mahayana has proven to be difficult to pinpoint, the paper argues that it rose as a result of slow changes in thought, institutions and practices that were shaped by writings, philosophical growth and changes in how monks and lay people interacted. Mahayana distinguishes itself by lifting up the Bodhisattva as the highest ideal instead of the Arhat which was more important in previous schools. A Bodhisattva is a person who puts off their own final liberation to help all living creatures, showing extreme ethical care for everyone. The role of this figure made the highest spiritual goal in Mahayana clear and it redefined how Buddhism viewed reaching enlightenment. Because the Bodhisattva path included cultivating six virtues (pāramitās) such as generosity and wisdom, it made religious empowerment available to anyone, including laypeople. The most important part of Mahayana philosophy is the way Śūnyatā (emptiness) is developed by Nāgārjuna and other prominent thinkers in the Madhyamaka school. Emptiness was recognized in Buddhism not only as the nonexistence of real existence in all things, but also as an insight into the dependent nature of everything, an important point in Buddhist philosophy (pratītyasamutpāda).  Their ideas included fresh views on the cosmos, praised Buddhas and Bodhisattvas and discussed concepts such as skillful means (upāya) and Buddha-nature (tathāgatagarbha), so they expanded both the teachings and devotional elements in Buddhism.  By looking at changes in Indian society at large, increased global trade and the involvement of laypeople in Buddhism, this study explains how Mahayana rose. It follows that Mahayana was adopted outside India, and these cultures helped it evolve but preserve its main ideas. All in all, the Mahayana movement led to major changes in Buddhism, redirecting its objectives, methods and views on the nature of reality. Rather than making a break, Mahayana changes and grows with the times while still holding onto and tweaking the original teachings.