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Buddhism: Philosophy of Religion

Buddhist teaching on visions

  • 3 things to know
  • Paper 3

Overview

The Vajra or Diamond Sutra on seeing the Buddha in a form, Asanga's vision of Maitreya and the Five Treatises, makyo in Zen, visions as emptiness or message dreams, and the charge of hallucination.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Key term

What is a vision in Buddhist terms?

Key term

What is the Vajra Sutra?

Key term

What does the Diamond Sutra teach about seeing the Buddha in a form?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    What is a vision in Buddhist terms?

    Model answer

    A vision is an experience of seeing a Buddha, bodhisattva or sacred scene, in meditation or a dream. Some Buddhists believe visions can bring teaching.

  2. 2

    What is the Vajra Sutra?

    Model answer

    The Vajra Sutra, or Diamond Sutra, is a Mahayana text on emptiness and the perfection of wisdom. A printed copy from 868 CE is the oldest dated printed book known.

  3. 3

    What does the Diamond Sutra teach about seeing the Buddha in a form?

    Model answer

    The Diamond Sutra says that anyone who seeks the Buddha in a form or a sound is on the wrong path. The true Buddha is found in the Dhamma.

  4. 4

    What does the Diamond Sutra's closing verse teach about visions?

    Model answer

    The verse says all conditioned things are like a dream, an illusion, a bubble, a shadow, dew or lightning. Visions are to be seen in the same way.

  5. 5

    Who was Asanga?

    Model answer

    Asanga was a fourth-century Indian monk who, with his brother Vasubandhu, founded the Yogacara school. Asanga is said to have received teachings from the future Buddha Maitreya.

  6. 6

    Describe Asanga's vision of Maitreya.

    Model answer

    Asanga meditated for twelve years without a vision and gave up. Out of compassion he tried to heal a wounded dog, which turned into Maitreya.

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