... magically protective and salutary), and to the recitation of sutras for the dead (Corless 57). All of these acts of offering are intimately involved in the concept of merit-making. By performing them, individuals, through the working of karma, can seek to assure themselves rebirth in one of the heavens or a better station in life, from which they may be able to attain the goal of enlightenment. Zen Buddhism Zen or Chan Buddhism represents ... spent nine years in meditation facing a wall (Davids 101). With the importance of lineages, Chan stressed the master-disciple relationship, and Bo...

• Word Count: 1355
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... two terms even older than Hinayana and Mahayana – "Sravakayana" (vehicle of the listener), which was later substituted with Hinayana and "Bodhisattvayana" (vehicle of the bodhisattva) turned into Mahayana. These terms are pretty self-explanatory, the goal of the Hinayana practitioners was to attain enlightenment for oneself. Once the goal was reached the practitioner would then enter nirvana. As opposed to this Mahayana's philosophy differed in ... exclusively with the court. Even more so considering the importance of the Emperor it is safe to assume that the main driving force of Jap...

• Word Count: 1977
• Approx Pages: 8
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... paths to enlightenment (exceeding the identification of the personal ego). The first path was one that was taught in the sutras according to the historical teachings. Morality, concentration, and wisdom were the heart of the sutra practice. The second path, which has become the cornerstone of Tibetan variations, was the tantric path. The tantric practice combined the sutra teachings with techniques adapted from Hindu systems of yoga and tantra. Tantric systems convert the basic human passions of desire and ... ) is developed and the final result is that the astral body has become the bod...

• Word Count: 2130
• Approx Pages: 9