About the Book
"An Introduction to Mahāyāna Buddhism" by William Montgomery McGovern offers a detailed exploration of Mahāyāna, one of the two major branches of Buddhism. McGovern delves into its historical development, key philosophies, and practices, emphasizing concepts like compassion (karuna) and the Bodhisattva ideal individuals who seek enlightenment not just for them-selves but for all beings. The text discusses important Mahāyāna texts, such as the Lotus Sutra, and highlights the diverse schools within Mahāyāna, including Zen and Pure Land. McGovern's accessible writing aims to deepen readers' understanding of Mahāyāna's significance and its contributions to Buddhist thought and practice, making it a valuable resource for both scholars and newcomers.
Introduction
Buddhism is divided into two great schools, Mahayana and Hinayana. Both systems origi-nated in India, but since the former predomi-nates in China, Japan, Nepal, and, in a modified form, in Tibet and Mongolia, while the latter is confined almost exclusively to Ceylon, Burma, and Siam, they are often, and rather incorrectly, known as Northern and Southern Buddhism.
