and ideas presented by its founder, Siddhartha Gautama, have grown

in area as well as interpretation. Buddhism has spread far beyond

its country of origin, India, and although basic beliefs and doctrines

are common to Buddhism as a whole, the original philosophy of the

Buddha has expanded to include some varying, and at times opposing,

thoughts on the Buddha's teachings. Today, three main sects of

Buddhism survive: the Theravada tradition (Lesser Vehicle), the

Mahayana tradition (Greater Vehicle), and the Tibetan tradition

(Northern). The main focus of this paper regards the Mahayana's

emphasis on compassion and wisdom in reference to the Bodhisattva

path, and responds to criticism that compassion for all sentient

beings is an attachment that proves a bodhisattva unenlightened.

While all forms of Buddhism strive in one way or another to

end the painful cycle of life and rebirth (samsara) and reach nirvana,

the motivation and path chosen by the Mahayana distinguishes this

school of thought from the rest. For the Mahayana, compassion is the

driving force of the practitioner. While other Buddhists follow the

immortal in us...This ultimate metaphysical self is the unchanging constant underlying all

Some common words found in the essay are:
According Abhidharma, Foundations Buddhism, Vehicle Tibetan, Noble Truth, Siddhartha Gautama, Philosophy Nov, Prajnaparamita Abhidharma, Harry Oldmeadow, According Gethin, Abhidharma Prajnaparamita, physical events, associated mentality, mental physical events, notion self, mental physical, physical mental events, emphasis compassion, buddha hood, world empty, self personal, physical phenomena, associated mentality dharmas, path bodhisattva,
Approximate Word count = 1188
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)