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Hinayana way, a human being can escape the cycle of birth and
death and attain liberation by his own unaided effort.
In contrast to this, the Mahayana or “Big Vehicle” sect thinks of the Buddha as a form of God or a celestial being. The goal of the followers of Mahayana Buddhism is the attainment of Buddhahood for the purpose of helping other living beings. For this reason this sect teaches that it is necessary to take the vow of a Bodhisattva, an enlightened being, who has chosen to incarnate in this world to help fellow beings. Thus, the Mahayana sect gives importance to the ideal of the Bodhisattva in place of the ideal of the Buddha, an enlightened being who does not return to the cycle of death and rebirth. The followers Mahayana recognize Bodhisattvas such as Avalokiteshvara (“Lord who looks down” or a being of compassion). They further believe that one can attain liberation by worshipping representations of these Bodhisattvas in the form of murtis and symbols (various representations of the Bodhisattva).
Teachings of the Buddha
When we study the following specific episode in the life of the Buddha, the essence of his teachings is revealed to us.
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