The Mahayana Teachings begin with an introduction and overview, called "Heart of Daring." Our studies of selflessness in the Hinayana are the jumping off point for examination of Mahayana selflessness, which broadens the notion beyond personal selflessness into the vastness of mahasunyata, or the "great emptiness." Parallel with these studies, we look at the Mahayana teachings of the possibility of generating limitless compassion, the unbounded intention to help all sentient beings, known in Sanskrit as bodhichitta. In the second course, we begin detailed studies of the expanded view of emptiness, which grounds the activity of limitless compassion. We begin by looking at the way the mind structures our reality through categories of consciousness and realms of existence. We continue this detailed look at emptiness by a closer examination of the interdependence of all phenomena. What are we to make of the logical conclusion of these studies that all phenomena have no self-nature? Is this lack of self-nature is a mere vacuity? To answer this, we look at the teachings on wisdom as luminous clarity. In the concluding classes in our Mahayana Path, we look at the practices and results of the Mahayana path. The bodhisattva intention to benefit all beings without limitation is made possible by a firm understanding that there are no inherent limitations on compassionate activity. Moreover, we learn that such activity is not a vague invitation to engage in "good works" of an unspecified nature. Rather, the Mahayana teachings provide a detailed roadmap of paths and levels of accomplishment that are achieved through the specific techniques of the Mahayana path. The final attainment is Mahayana enlightenment. These teachings also provide a bridge to our study of the Vajrayana path.
