Special Offers
Buddhist
Catholic
Contemplative
Evangelical
General Christian
Hindu
Jewish
Latter-day Saint
Muslim
New Visions
Progressive Christian
Beliefs
Buddhist
Catholic
Contemplative
Evangelical
General Christian
Hindu
Jewish
Latter-day Saint
More Voices
Muslim
New Visions
Pagan
Progressive Christian
Topics
Religion News
Food and Religion
Sports and Religion
Religious Art
Religious Music and Entertainment
Religious Events
History and Religion
Style and Religion
Politics and Religion
Women in Religion
Recreation Outdoors and Religion
Business Finance and Religion
Careers Workplace and Religion
Education and Religion
Family Parenting and Religion
Health Fitness and Religion
Home and Religion
Relationships and Religion
Technology and Religion
Travel and Religion
Columnists
Buddhist Columnists
Business Finance and Religion Columnists
Careers Workplace and Religion Columnists
Catholic Columnists
Contemplative Columnists
Education and Religion Columnists
Evangelists Columnists
Family Parenting and Religion Columnists
General Christian Columnists
Health Fitness and Religion Columnists
Hindu Columnists
History and Religion Columnists
Home and Religion Columnists
Jewish Columnists
More Voices Columnists
Latter Day Columnists
Muslim Columnists
New Visions Columnists
Nonreligious Columnists
Pagan Columnists
Politics and Religion Columnists
Progressive Columnists
Recreation Outdoors and Religion Columnists
Relationships and Religion Columnists
Religion News Columnists
Religious Art Columnists
Religious Events Columnists
Religious Music and Entertainment Columnists
Sports and Religion Columnists
Style and Religion Columnists
Technology and Religion Columnists
Travel and Religion Columnists
Women in Religion Columnists
Resource Library
2025 Calendar
Library of World Religions
The 100 Most Holy Places on Earth
Patheos Answers
Podcasts
Videos
Faith Leaders Database
Anglican Episcopalian
Bahai
Baptist
Buddhism
Christianity
Confucianism
Eastern Orthodoxy
Hinduism
Holiness and Pentecostal
ISKCON
Islam
Judaism
Lutheran
Methodist
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
New Age
Paganism
Presbytarian and Reformed
Protestantism
Religion Behind the Scenes
Roman Catholic
Scientology
Shia Islam
Sikhism
Sufism
Sunni Islam
Taoism
Zen
See all religions
Research Tools
Comparison Lens
Preacher Resources
Teacher Resources
Video
Podcasts
Thought Readers
Faith In Media Tracker
E-Books and Other Special Offers
God's Cheat Sheet to Finances
Books of the Bible Study series
History of the Bible
7 Day Prayer Challenge for Spouses
A Different Kind of Christian
Jesus is Love
Prayer Devotional
The Saints We Love
FaithChatter Conversation Cards
Newsletters
Special Offers
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In
Subscription Support
Trending:
Pope Leo Xiv
|
Israel
|
Trump
|
Social Justice
|
Peace
|
Love
RELIGION LIBRARY
Mahayana Buddhism
Toggle navigation
Overview
Origins
History
Beliefs
Rituals and Worship
Ethics and Community
Community Organization
As with other schools of Buddhism, there is a symbiotic relationship between lay people and monks in the Mahayana; lay people materially support the monks, while the monks provide teaching and guidance to the laity. Monasteries are hierarchially structured based on seniority.
Leadership
Although each individual Buddhist is fully responsible for his or her own progress, monks provide a moral and ethical model for the laity, as well as guidance and teaching. Mahayana monks have typically been celibate men, although in some countries monks are married, and the monastic path is open to women.
Principles of Moral Thought and Action
Karma is at the center of all discussions of morality and ethics in the Mahayana, along with the idea of selfless compassion (karuna). It is the bodhisattvas' selfless compassion, coupled with wisdom (prajna) and skillful means (upaya), that compels them to remain in the world to aid other beings.
Vision for Society
The Mahayana, literally the "great vehicle," holds that all beings can and will eventually become perfectly enlightened beings. The goal of all people is to act ethically and compassionately, and thereby ideally to affect a perfectly harmonious society.
Gender and Sexuality
Images of spiritually powerful and advanced female figures are common in the Mahayana—Tara, who guides and protects her devotees; Prajnaparamita, who embodies wisdom. Some Mahayana schools employ sexual imagery to symbolize the union of wisdom and skillful means, and the overcoming of oppositions.
read more
Rituals and Worship
Mahayana Buddhism
Back to religion Library
editors picks
View All Columns
Evangelical
Before You Unplug or Sign Out for Good
Guest Contributor
Evangelical
What Is the Purpose of Spiritual Gifts, and How Do You Discover Yours?
Randy Alcorn
New Visions
5 Ways to Hear What God is Telling You
Tom Rapsas
Muslim
How Awake Are We? When Waking Up is Falling Asleep
Daniel Thomas Dyer
Latter-day Saint
"The Church supports the use of vaccinations"
Dan Peterson
Evangelical
Luther and the Beauty of Christ
Guest Contributor
Patheos
The Soul of Gospel Music Explored in New Netflix Series "Voices of Fire"
DeWayne Hamby
Patheos
Seven Ways to Think About Christian Mysticism
Carl McColman
Evangelical
Cancelling Alice Walker?
Philip Jenkins
Evangelical
Does God Have His Own Logic?
Roger E. Olson
Patheos
Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In