AQA · GCSE · Religious Studies
Course version: 8062 · Version from Sept 2018
Mahayana: sunyata, the possibility of attaining Buddhahood and…
Full specification wording
Key Beliefs: Mahayana: sunyata, the possibility of attaining Buddhahood and Buddha-nature.
Mahayana Buddhism teaches sunyata, often translated as 'emptiness'.
Checked against the AQA 8062 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 10 of 24
- 3 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Mahayana Buddhism teaches sunyata, often translated as 'emptiness'. This means nothing has a fixed, independent self; instead, everything is interconnected and empty of inherent existence. Central to Mahayana thought is the concept of Buddha-nature, the belief that the seed of enlightenment is already present within every sentient being. Because everyone possesses this inherent Buddha-nature, there is a universal possibility of attaining Buddhahood. This potential is often compared to a pure gold statue covered in mud. The mud represents a person's ignorance and negative karma, while the gold is the pure Buddha-nature hidden beneath. By following the Buddhist path, individuals can clear away the mud of ignorance to reveal their true, enlightened nature and achieve Buddhahood.
What earns the marks
- Define sunyata as the Mahayana concept of emptiness, meaning nothing has an independent, inherent existence.
- Explain Buddha-nature as the inherent potential for enlightenment present in all sentient beings.
- Connect the concept of Buddha-nature to the universal possibility of attaining Buddhahood in Mahayana traditions.
- Illustrate Buddha-nature using analogies, such as a hidden treasure or a gold statue covered in mud.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Defining sunyata as 'nothingness' or non-existence.
Put it right: Explain sunyata as 'emptiness of independent existence', meaning things exist but only dependently.
Confusing Buddha-nature with a permanent creator God.
Put it right: Describe Buddha-nature as a potential state of enlightenment within beings, not an external deity.
Stating that only monks can achieve Buddhahood in Mahayana Buddhism.
Put it right: Emphasise that the possibility of attaining Buddhahood is universal because all beings have Buddha-nature.
Exam tips
- Use the analogy of the mud-covered gold statue to effectively explain how Buddha-nature is hidden but always present.
- Link sunyata to the concept of dependent arising (paticcasamuppada) to show a deeper understanding of interconnectedness.
- Contrast the Mahayana ideal of universal Buddhahood with the Theravada focus on becoming an Arhat to demonstrate strong evaluative skills.
Try the lesson
The start of the Key Beliefs: Mahayana: sunyata, the possibility of attaining Buddhahood and Buddha-nature. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
In Mahayana Buddhism, what is the meaning of the term 'sunyata'?
Listen
Mahayana Buddhism teaches sunyata, often translated as 'emptiness'. This means nothing has a fixed, independent self; instead, everything is interconnected and empty of inherent existence. Central to Mahayana thought is the concept of Buddha-nature, the belief that the seed of enlightenment is already present within every sentient being. Because everyone possesses this inherent Buddha-nature, there is a universal possibility of attaining Buddhahood. This potential is often compared to a pure gold statue covered in mud. The mud represents a person's ignorance and negative karma, while the gold is the pure Buddha-nature hidden beneath. By following the Buddhist path, individuals can clear away the mud of ignorance to reveal their true, enlightened nature and achieve Buddhahood. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Define sunyata as the Mahayana concept of emptiness, meaning nothing has an independent, inherent existence. Explain Buddha-nature as the inherent potential for enlightenment present in all sentient beings. Connect the concept of Buddha-nature to the universal possibility of attaining Buddhahood in Mahayana traditions. Illustrate Buddha-nature using analogies, such as a hidden treasure or a gold statue covered in mud. A common slip: Defining sunyata as 'nothingness' or non-existence. Instead, Explain sunyata as 'emptiness of independent existence', meaning things exist but only dependently. Exam tip: Use the analogy of the mud-covered gold statue to effectively explain how Buddha-nature is hidden but always present.
Key words
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Sunyata
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Buddha-nature
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Buddhahood
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See every definition
- Sunyata
- The Mahayana concept of emptiness, meaning nothing has a fixed, independent self and everything is interconnected and empty of inherent existence.
- Buddha-nature
- The belief that the seed of enlightenment is already present within every sentient being, hidden beneath ignorance and negative karma.
- Buddhahood
- The enlightened nature revealed by following the Buddhist path, a potential open to everyone because all beings possess Buddha-nature.
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