The Mahayana movement was more sympathetic than earlier forms of Buddhism toward the laity and the rituals the laity practiced, such as stupa worship.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The Mahayana movement, which emerged within Buddhism, indeed showed greater sympathy towards the laity and their practices, including rituals like stupa worship. This was a shift from earlier forms of Buddhism, which were more monastic and ascetic, focusing primarily on the monastic community. Mahayana Buddhism introduced the concept of the bodhisattva, a being striving for enlightenment not just for themselves but for the sake of all beings, which made the path to enlightenment seem more accessible to laypeople.

The Mahayana Movement Was More Sympathetic Than Earlier Forms of Buddhism