Concepts of Salvation in Buddhism

The question of salvation - awakening, becoming a Buddha - is closely linked to a certain world view and a specific view of humanity. For example, the desire to leave this world or the cycle of rebirths only becomes understandable if life is understood as one characterised by suffering. During the seminar, we want to look at different understandings of salvation in Buddhism and always ask what is behind these offers of liberation. Important aspects include the idea of hell, the concept of the disintegration of Buddhist teachings and the interconnectedness of all living beings. Last but not least, we must also ask what redemption is actually for and what comes after it. We will focus primarily on Mahayana Buddhism - the Buddhism of the Great Vehicle. The seminar will provide participants with an overview of the diversity of Buddhist teachings on salvation and at the same time familiarise them with the basic concepts of the spatial and temporal world view of Buddhism. Participants in the seminar are also encouraged to compare Buddhist ideas of salvation with those of other religions.

–This seminar will be held in German–

(Machine translation.)