tman_and_moksa

SR No.: 020053
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: G N Joshi
Publisher: Gujarat University
Publication Year: 1965
Total Pages: 901
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 12 MB

Page 223

Acharya Shri Kailashsagarsuri Gyanmandir
Buddhism
191
extinction of life and activity but Mahāyānism preached a more optimistic and positive nature of Nirvāņa. Mahāyānism introduced new vigour and enthusiasm in the followers of Buddhism by preaching the superior value of selfless-service rendered to the feeble, poor and weak and simultaneously cultivating pious, noble and holy character. Mahāyānism preaches, no doubt, the annihilation of egoism but it also preaches the necessity of practising universal love and sympathy for all the beings. Suzuki very eloquently describes it in the following way : "Nirvāpa, according to Buddhists, does not signify an annihilation of consciousness nor a temporal or permanent suppression of mentation, as imagined by some; but it is the annihilation of the notion of ego-substance and of all the desires that arise from this erroneous conception....and its positive side consists in uni. versal love or sympathy (Karuna) for all beings."'! Mahāyānism possesses both the aspects. It is negative so far as it denounces a selfish and egoistic lise strictly confined to oneself; but positively it prea ches not the extinction of such a limited personal life but it teaches the universalisation of one's personality. Mahāyānism positively stands for universal love and harmony. It preaches the necessity of freeing oneself from the narrow egoistic life of individuals and of identifying themselves with all others. It is a philosophy of activism and energy. It stands for the betterment and elevation of the life of the whole humanity. It aims at the ennoblement of human passions
1 Suzuki D. T.: Outlines of Mahāyāna Buddhism, pp. 50, 51,
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