Abstract:
Mahayana Buddhism views that the Buddha manifests in three different bodies
Dharma-kaya (truth body) Sambhoga-kaya (bliss body) Nirmana-kaya (emanation
body). This Tri-kaya concept was developed with the demise of the historical
Shakyamuni Buddha until about the 4th century CE. The main aim of the paper was
to study whether this “Tri-kaya” concept in Mahayana Buddhism was a pure
Mahayana Buddhist teaching or not. Here, Theravada and Mahayana Buddhist
texts were used as primary research sources with research findings of other
Buddhist scholars who conducted research on Theravada and Mahayana
Buddhism. Research findings of this paper were discussed through critical,
analytical and comparative perspectives using descriptive and explanatory
methods. According to research findings, it can be argued that teachings of
Mahayana Buddhism on three bodies (Tri-kaya) are not pure Mahayana Buddhist
doctrine. Mahayana Buddhism has developed this concept with some ideas
borrowed from contemporary religious tradition: Theravada Buddhism, Hinduism
Jainism and Christianity. Especially, antecedents of the Mahyana Trikaya doctrine
appear in the early Buddhist scriptures known as the Plai Canon. These teachings
in Sutta pitaka have influenced Mahayana Buddhism for formation of “Tri-kaya”
concept towards vital and wider concept. Moreover, Mahayana Buddhists have
interpreted teachings in Theravada Buddhism, Jainism and Hinduism and
Christianity under two stages in keeping with Mahayana tradition. First, they had
only Dharma-kaya and Nirmana-kaya. Later, with the development of this concept
under various Mahayana traditions they had a third called “Sambhoga-kaya”.
Therefore, it is shown that Tri-kaya doctrine in Mahayana Buddhism was not a
pure teaching specific to Mahayana Buddhism but, it is a teaching mixed with
other contemporary religious traditions. Finally, it can be argued that this kind of
research can provide insights into comparative religious studies to direct them
towards meaningful research approach.
