What is the Mahayana Path?
The Mahayana Path is a belief that one can obtain liberation, enlightenment or nirvana in a single lifetime. It is the largest of the three traditions at about 55% practicing it while 35% practice Theravada and 6% practice Vajrayana. This path involves transforming our ordinary gross minds into minds that can encompass the supreme thought of bodhichitta. Bodhichitta is the wish to reach nirvana/enlightenment as fast as possible in order to help all sentient beings with great compassion. It also requires removing attachments and the "self". It is said that because of our delusions in thought it can take a long time for this, multiple lifetimes even. But as you might expect you must understand the obstacles that we face to overcome them right? That's what the Mahayana path teaches. You are expected to get a good grasp on these to develop the supreme state. This state to be reached is discussed in the Sublime Continuum (Ratnagotravibhaga Sanskrit text or Buddha-Nature).
CC0 Photo: Jan Kromer
The Obstacles
Attachment: The idea that we need inanimate and animate objects which hinders the Buddha nature within. An article I wrote comparing fatherhood's natural love to attachment can be found here.
Anger/Hatred: This delusional emotion that builds within us only leads to suffering for our selves. It also hinders the Buddha nature within us.
Ignorance: We cannot obtain a Buddha like nature if we don't try to find the truth or realities of everything.
Three Poisons: Ignorance, attachment, and aversion keep us and all sentient beings cycling through samsara, or the endless cycle of rebirths.
Imprints of Ignorance: Delusion from ignorance leaves a thick layer that we must dig through to reach the truth.
Relinquishing Subtle object: This is to be removed though the smaller vehicle, or Theravada. We must cast aside the object of abandonment so that we can work toward the goal of buddha nature.
Relinquishing Meditation Obstacles: Through the smaller vehicle, or Theravada, we must remove the obstacles that hinders our meditation practice.
Afflictions causing obstacles: The above seven obstacles hinder us in our reach for enlightenment based on the Mahayana Path. These must be relinquished. But we must start from the bottom to get to the top. We do this to reach our full potential within our minds.
Abandoning the 8th, 9th and 10th grounds of the path: Immovable, Intelligence and Doctrine.
Like rotten cloth that swathes a golden buddha, the objects of abandonment on the Hinayana path must be forsaken in order for the true nature of our minds to shine through."
If some of the above do not make complete sense, hopefully my lessons to come will clarify.
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