Buddhism Beliefs: Human Personality

Question 1

Human personality in Theravada Buddhism

Answer 1

• Theravada Buddhism teaches that all humans are made up of five parts, called the five aggregates or skandha
• These five parts all interact with each other to make up a person’s identity and personality

Question 2

Human personality in Mahayana Buddhism

Answer 2

• Sunyata is a key concept in Mahayana Buddhism
• Sunyata means emptiness: the idea that nothing has a separate, independent “soul” or “self”
  -Realising that everything depends on everything else can change a person’s behaviour

Question 3

Attaining Buddhahood in Mahayana Buddhism

Answer 3

• Buddha-nature is the idea that everyone has the seed, or the essence or nature of a Buddha within them
• Once a person has understood the Buddha’s Dhamma they will become enlightened
• The ultimate aim for Mahayana Buddhists is to achieve Buddhahood
• Because they believe that everyone can achieve Buddhahood, the idea of Buddha-nature encourages Buddhists to meditate and be generous