Yogacra

Yogacara is a school of Mahayana Buddhism that emphasizes the nature of mind and the role of the Buddha in the process of enlightenment. It is one of the six major schools of Mahayana Buddhism, along with Madhyamaka, Svatantrika, Cittamatra, Dharmaguptaka, and Vajrayana. Yogacara is also known as the "School of the Path of Meditation" or "School of the Path of the Middle Way."

The Yogacara school was founded by the Indian philosopher and Buddhist scholar Asanga in the 4th century CE. It is based on the teachings of the Buddha and the Mahayana sutras, particularly the Heart Sutra and the Lotus Sutra. Yogacara emphasizes the importance of meditation and the cultivation of wisdom to achieve enlightenment.

One of the key concepts in Yogacara is the "Three Turnings of the Dharma Wheel." These refer to the three main stages of the Buddha's teachings: the initial teaching to the Bodhisattvas, the middle teaching to the common people, and the final teaching to the enlightened beings. Yogacara also emphasizes the importance of the "Two Truths" doctrine, which distinguishes between the conventional truth and the ultimate truth.

Yogacara has had a significant influence on the development of Mahayana Buddhism and has been influential in the spread of Buddhism to East Asia. It has also been influential in the development of Zen Buddhism in China and Japan. Today, Yogacara is practiced by a small number of Buddhists, but its teachings continue to be studied and taught in Buddhist institutions around the world.