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Lesser, Greater and Tantric Ways to EnlightenmentBuddhism, whether a philosophy, a system of techniques for treating mental suffering, or a religion, is generally considered to have three main forms today. They used to be classified: Hinayana, Mahayana and Vajrayana. However, those terms actually refer to aspects of the Buddha's teaching. It is unlikely that any Dharma practitioner works with only a single one of the three. HinayanaThe Hinayana, meaning Lesser (or, narrower) Vehicle, focuses on the individual and on a personal form of salvation. Inspired by the Four Truths and the application of the principles of the Middle Way, Hinayana Buddhists are primarily concerned with their own spiritual improvement. Certainly "No man is an island," but one cannot be of use to other people without self-knowledge and discipline which produces the assurance to develop and act out of compassion. In the "Gihi Sutta," (The Householder) found in Anguttara Nikaya V.179, the Buddha assures persons doing individual practice:
Although the expression Hinayana is sometimes found to be distasteful, it is merely a way of referring to the orthodox view that focuses on personal salvation. It is not a term of disparagement, nor is it intended to be synonymous with Theravadin or "Southern" Buddhism. Pratyekas and ShravakasIt is said that there are enlightened beings called pratyeka buddhas who are completely absorbed in pure consciousness and do not interact with others. There is also the group called shravakas, who attend to the Buddha's dharma yet they also do not interact.
MahayanaNowadays, due to our understanding of ecology and the inter-relatedness of all things, which is fostered by the many sophisticated means of communication at our disposal, we quickly become convinced of the necessity of helping others. Indeed, knowing what we know about relativity and atomic theory, we realize that we are each composed of the essential elements of others. There is no logical conclusion other than to adopt an inclusive or Mahayana (Great Vehicle) approach to Buddhism. The enlightened regard or compassion which encourages us in this view is called in Sanskrit, bodhicitta. This understanding of the connection among all beings is the reason why, though some have equated Hinayana Buddhism with the Theravada school, that is definitely not a correct view. The concept of bodhicitta is a certainly a doctrine found among Theravadins such as the Buddhists of Shri Lanka and Thailand. VajrayanaThe historical founder of Buddhism is generally considered to have taught different approaches for the needs or inclinations of different people. After his Awakening to full consciousness -- usually referred to as his Enlightenment -- he is said to have given three sermons or "Turnings of the Dharma Wheel" which are understood not only as stages on a path but as different approaches. The first was at the Deer Park when he taught moderation and morality, the second at Vulture's Peak when he taught concerning wisdom, the third Turning concerned meditation and clarity. He is said to have taught a fourth approach assuming the form of Vajradhara in order to do so. That topic and its method is the Vajrayana. Vajrayana has been called the way of the thunderbolt or vajra (Tibetan: dorje) which is a mythological object described as firm, dense, heavy and indestructible. It is like a weapon made of diamond. The connotation of the word also includes the suddenness of a clap of thunder. The dorje is sometimes viewed as a male symbol because of its shape, but it represents "skillful means" -- method, or technique.
Wherever the two items are found together, we have the indication of the vajrayana -- the form of Buddhism that uses radical techniques skilfully applied in order to hasten enlightenment. In Buddhism, there is no doubt that Vajrayana is an aspect of the Mahayana or inclusive approach. It is a way that derives from the Indian tantric tradition which is a closely monitored, personal transmission of special methods. Often misunderstood, the Sanskrit word tantra denotes the warp threads of a fabric, or a cord that strings together a series of beads as in a rosary or mala. Tantric refers to the unbroken continuity of an applied teaching. It is almost synonymous with the word, yogic (the adjective formed from the Sanskrit word yoga.) The tantric method uses ancient devices, substances, techniques and rituals to re-shape practitioners’ consciousness so that habitual thought and behaviour patterns which are often detrimental, neurotic or at the least, rigid, can be abandoned in favour of enlightened awareness. Venerable Thrangu Rinpoche describes the tantric, or vajrayana, process as consisting of five paths or stages: of accumulation, of junction, of insight, of cultivation and finally, of non-study. Nowadays, there are usually manuals (tantras) for these types of practice, which include a text with accompanying prayers and the order of procedure, instructions for its implementation, and some advice from an experienced practitioner. Despite the availability of these manuals, a practice cannot really be considered tantric without the genuine transmission from a guide or mentor. In Tibetan Buddhism, that person is the lama. TriyanaThe form of Buddhism which was brought from India to Tibet incorporates all three ways mentioned above. It can therefore be called Triyana Dharma. Virupa, the Indian mahasiddha (ca. 650 CE) taught there are three views of the path -- as seen by 1. someone working towards self-realization [Hinayana] 2. someone who intensely wishes to work for the sake of all beings [Mahayana] and 3. one who sees through the dream-like delusion and realizes non-duality [Vajrayana]. ______________________________________ A Geographical ClassificationBuddhism may also be classified according to geography. We speak of Northern, Southern, Eastern and Western types of Buddhism. In the first three, Buddhism is still an intrinsic part of the culture. By Northern, we mean Buddhism as it is in Tibet, Ladakh, Mongolia and Nepal. Pilgrimage and support of monasteries are important, as is personal devotion to certain high teachers such as the Dalai Lama and the Gyalwa Karmapa. Since travel to India is difficult, a system of a parallel or shadow holy geography has arisen such that a devoted person can travel to sacred places in Tibet, for example, that are almost considered the equivalent of sites in India where there are relics of Buddha Shakyamuni, and where events in his life took place. The scriptures that play an important role in this expression of the dharma include the Prajnaparamita literature, from a lengthy 100, 000-verse form to the brief Heart Sutra, as well as various tantric manuals, biographies, and songs of inspiration. An example of the latter is the 100, 000 Songs of Milarepa.
Practices include the maintenance of household shrines, and prayer and the saying of mantras is an intrinsic aspect of daily life. Prostrations are performed as part of Buddhist practice in devotion. The daily diet is generally non-vegetarian. When people are ill or when thinking of making changes in their life-situation. the opinion of the lama is consulted. Eastern Buddhism mainly comprises the dharma as it is understood and practiced in China, Korea, Japan and Vietnam. Dharma in these countries is inextricably mixed with the original customs and beliefs of the ancient culture, especially the vestiges of Taoism and Confucianism that still remain. Though Buddhism reached China in the1st century CE, it was not until the 6th that it arrived in Japan. The canon of Chinese Buddhist scripture is very extensive. Ch'an (Zen, in Japanese) took root, and the Pureland schools originate here.
Southern Buddhism is characterized by the support of institutions and the monastic order by the community in general. The attitude to practice is somewhat relaxed, though devotion through ritual is widely seen. Though education may be provided by monasteries supported by local communities, spiritual progress is judged by the merit accrued through generosity and good works. Monks and nuns rely on the local populations for material support and they, in turn, repay the lay community through their presence as inspiration and example, and by prayer and devotion on their behalf. Sometimes this expression of Buddhism is referred to as Hinayana Buddhism, but it is not. It certainly includes concern for others, as exemplified in the Pali phrase, Idam Te Puñña Kammam. This an actual dedication of merit: "May the merit of my actions be shared with all beings, so there is less suffering." Adherents call it the Way of the Elders or Theravada Buddhism.
Western BuddhismWestern Buddhism includes all Buddhist paths and a wide variety of denominations. The various dharma groups derive primarily from the contacts made during the British (and French, Dutch, Russian, American, etc.) colonial experience. These tantalizing glimpses were then fostered by a growing number of publications of, and about, the Dhammapada, The Jatakas and all the other kinds of Buddhist literature that began to appear in Western languages. A major turning point certainly occurred with the publication of Friedrich Maximilian Müller's (1823-1900) monumental work, The Sacred Books of the East. Reconciling the Various Traditions
________________________________________________________________________ In The Heart of Buddhism, Guy Claxton rated three types of Buddhism in an attempt to assist those trying to decide which way of approaching the Dharma best suits them. It is a superficial system to be sure, but it may help someone who feels a need to choose before meeting any actual practitioners. He rates the Theravadin, the Zen, and the Tibetan traditions using a 3-star scale. Bear in mind that the highest number does not rate quality of experience, but rather means "most likely to be expected."
__________________________________________________________________ Pureland: comparable to (but not identical with) a heavenly paradise. A type of existence where Enlightenment, or Awakening, is more likely to occur. Western: This is not merely a geographic description. It refers to lands and cultures that are heir to the Roman style of organization that spread by means of Imperialism / colonization via northern Europe and then, to the Americas. The mythology or foundation for belief is Judeo-Christian. It includes most of Polynesia and the lands "down under." Westernization continues to increase via television, radio and popular films, cds and the Internet.
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The dorje is
usually paired with the ghanta or hand-bell, which stands for
"Emptiness" (not to be confused with "nothingness.")
It may be thought of as a female symbol, but it represents wisdom or enlightened
knowledge. The bell is especially apt as a Buddhist symbol because, though
sound comes from it, it is not inherent to the bell; nor does the bell contain it.
Khyabje Kalu Rinpoche, in