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FACE TO FACE | EASTERN HORIZON 19

Understanding

Mahāyāna Buddhism
By Venerable Shih You Deng

Ven You Deng is currently the Vice-President of the Buddha’s Light
International Association – Young Adult Division, Malaysia Chapter.
She is also a lecturer in Dong Zen Buddhist College. Her previous
positions include being the Spiritual Advisor to the Buddha’s Light
Association (Singapore), Young Adult Division. She graduated from
Fo Guang Shan Tsung Lin University, International Buddhist College
– English Division. She also holds a Bachelor of Business Studies
(Management) from Massey University, New Zealand, and a Master
in Education Policy and Society from Cardiff University, UK. She
is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology from the
University of Malaya, Malaysia.

The following questions about Mahāyāna Buddhism only by its contribution of new vocabulary but also
have been frequently asked by followers of other in enriching its existing literature. The beauty of the
Buddhist traditions. On behalf of Eastern Horizon, Chinese language can be attributed to the effect of
Benny Liow shared with Ven You Deng of Fo Guang Buddhist terminology.
Shan some of the more common misconceptions or
doubts about Mahāyāna Buddhism, and the following Indeed, the spread of a Buddhist text would depend
are her comments. on the fluency of its translations. Translators from
later periods followed Master Xuan Zang’s rules and
Benny: Many of the sūtras found in the Sanskrit rendered the “new translations” which have remained
Āgamas are similar to that in the Pāli Nikāyas but particular in their translation techniques. Therefore,
later Mahāyāna sūtras appear in very flowery it is essential that the language used in Buddhism not
language and adopt a different style, and instead be rigid or adamant. A reasonable level of adaptation
of Śākyamuni Buddha, the focus seems to have to ensure the readability and fluency of Buddhist
shifted to numerous non-historical Buddhas. Can language is necessary. Just as Chinese, Japanese,
you explain why this is so, and how the approach of Korean, Theravāda, and Tibetan Buddhism each
the sūtras in terms of style, approach and content developed their unique languages, ways of practice,
change so much? geographical and historical backgrounds were the
major contributing factors.
You Deng: After Buddhism spread to the east, it
gradually became acculturated to its new home. A Today, as we harmonize all forms of Buddhism into
unique result of acculturation is the Chinese language. Humanistic Buddhism, not only are we integrating all
Besides, Buddhism has exerted tremendous influence Buddhist vocabularies throughout history; we are also
on countless facets of Chinese culture. Some of these reinstating Buddha’s original intents. Our resolve is to
include politics, culture, art, fashion, and food. offer, to the world, unified teaching focused solely on the
The Chinese language evolved through Buddhism, not Buddha’s intent at bettering society.