1. Why should we study the Mahayana tradition? Give reasons for your answer.
2. Describe the intellectual climate within the Buddhist community during the life-time of the Buddha. How does it help to explain the origins of the Mahayana.
3. Discuss the disciplinary question that arose at the first council. What is the significance of the attitude taken by Purana?
4. What was the issue that led to the convening of the second council? Discuss the consequences of the decision taken by the council.
5. Who were the principal protagonists at the third council? What were some of the consequences of the council?
6. Is there evidence of Mahayana doctrines in the Pali canon? Cite as many examples as you can.
7. Name some of the principal Mahayana Sutras. Discuss the style of the texts and some of their main themes.
8. What are the principal themes of the Lotus Sutra? Describe how the Sutra uses parables and similes to illustrate its message.
9. Summarise the parable of the house on fire. What does the parable tell us about the Mahayana interpretation of the three vehicles?
10. Recount the parable of the Wise Physician. What does it tell us about the Mahayana view of the nature of the Buddha?
11 What is the principal theme of the Heart Sutra? Discuss it with reference to the Abhidharma analysis of reality.
12. The Heart Sutra declares, “Form is emptiness; emptiness is form.” Discuss the implications of this statement.
13. What is meant by “emptiness”? Is it a metaphysical principal? Discuss.
14. What is the principal pedagogical device used in the Diamond Sutra? Give examples. What is the purpose of the device?
15. What is the principal teaching of the Lankavatara Sutra? Discuss it with reference to the similes mentioned in the text.
16. The Lankavatara Sutra refers to the analogy of the ocean, the wind and the waves. Interpret the analogy with reference to the description of the evolution of the phenomenal world found in the text.
17. Describe the system of the eight consciousnesses. What is the role of the afflicted mind (klishtamanas)?
18. What is the store consciousness? Describe its role. Is it a soul? Defend your answer.
19. What is meant by the Buddha nature (Tathagatagarbha)? Discuss it with the help of examples and similes.
20. The Lotus Sutra, the Heart Sutra and the Lankavatara Sutra represent three phases in the development of Mahayana philosophy.
21. Why did Nagarjuna write many books on emptiness? What kind of methods did he used to defend others. Disucss.