REL 101 Class notes, Week 3, Lecture 2

Buddhism II: Mahayana Buddhism: The Holy Teaching of Vimalakirti

100-200 CE: Holy Teaching of Vimalakirti and many other Mahayana Buddhist scriptures

A. Sakyamuni Buddha and the Illness of Vimalakirti

1. The Buddha asks the Discples (Nikaya monks) and Bodhisattvas to visit Vimalakirti.
   
2. Manjusri, the Bodhisattva of Wisdom, asks Vimalakirti a question.

B. Goddess Chapter

1. The Holy Throng enters the living room of Vimalakirti's house.
2. The dialogue between the Goddess and Sariputra
• The sticky petals - attachment to religion
• Language and emptiness - attachment to silence
• Sex and gender - attachment to gender stereotypes