The Three Turnings

• Refers to a framework for understanding the teachings of the Buddha
• First Turning - Buddhas sermon (pali Canon)
• Second Turning - Mahayana Sutra's (Two Truths)
• Third Turning - Yogacara (The Tantras)

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Theravadan (1st Turning)

• The first turning took place at a Deer Park near Varanasi in Northern India
• It consisted of the Four Noble truths and the other elements of the Tripitaka - The abhidharma, Sutrapitaka and Vinaya. 

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 Mahayamaka Buddhism (2nd Turning)

• Took place at Vulture peak moutain in India
• Madhyamaka is systematized by Nagajuna but the teachings were left by the shakyamuni Buddha in alternative plains of meditation
• Said to have recieved them from the 'Naga Spirits'
• Those who follow it are called Madhyamikas
• They have no intrinsic, independent reality apart form the causes and conditions from which they arose
• 'The universe is empty' - Shunyatta, It contains nothing that is real
• Madhayamaka is the rejection of two extreme views, Eternalism and Nihilism.
• It represents 'The middle way'
• Nihilism here denotes the assertion that all things are intrinsically allready destroyed or rendered nonexistant

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 Yogacara (3rd Turning)

• The third turning was also delivered to an audience of Bodhisattvas in India
• According to Yogacara, The buddha set the wheel of Doctrine in motion 3 times
• It holds the view tat all phenomea is mind.
• There is nothing in human experiences that is not meditated by the mind
• Keenan (2003) holds that emptiness, Dependant arising, and the doctrine of two truths are very important to Yogacara

Yoga Cara talks about three ways in which we percieve the world

1. Imaginary nature - Incorrectly understood based upon concepts
2. Dependant nature - Things depend upon other dependant things
3. Absolute nature - Things as they really are

We are never lasting from one moment to the next.

Vijnana represents the simple reaction or response of the sense organs when they come into contact with external objects. This is not a constant "me" that exists. (The chariet anaology)
Manas represents the aspect of its mental functioning, thinking, reasoning, etc
Citta represents the deepest level of consciousness, Inner Buddha hood



The three bodies of the Buddha
The Trikāya doctrine is an Mahayana Buddhist teaching on both the nature of reality and the nature of a Buddha. The doctrine says that a Buddha has three kāyas or bodies.


Dharmakaya - The Body of truth

• Refers to the enlightened mind
• Embodies the very principle of enlightenment and knows no limits or boundaries
• It is the realization of the complete truth
• It is one that is free from impurity

Sambhogakaya - The body of enjoyment

• Dimensions of energy and light
• Enlightened beings can chose to dwell here
• Body of bliss or clear light manifestation
• Advanced bodhisatva's are beings in which they are like a rainbow - Intangible but viable like a rainbow

Nirmanakaya - Body of manifestation

• Manifests in time and space
• Refers to the physical manifestation of an enlightened being
• This can be any form they wish it to be