The University of Nalanda c10.174

c10.174

To satisfy the people on this point, two new doctrines were introduced into Buddhism. These were the *Mahāsukhavāda* and the doctrine of *Karuṇā*. Unlike the previous doctrines—*Śūnyavāda* and *Vijñānavāda*—which were primarily philosophical—these were religious. The followers of the former (*Mahāsukha*) satisfied the masses by holding out a promise that even when *Nirvāṇa* is attained there remains something which is *Vijñāna* and continues to remain in eternal bliss and happiness. The *Śūnya*, they said, is *Nirātmā* and the *Bodhicitta* or Bodhimind, when emancipated plunges itself in *Śūnya* or in the embrace of *Nirātmā* and remains there in eternal bliss and happiness.