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Difference between revisions of "Studies in Buddhadharma - On the Buddhayâna : the One Buddha Vehicle"

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(Created page with "::''"These three things, monks, are conducted in secret, not openly. What three ? Affairs of woman, the mantras of the Brahmins, and wrong view. But these three things, monks,...")
 
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::''"These three things, monks, are conducted in secret, not openly. What three ? Affairs of woman, the mantras of the Brahmins, and wrong view. But these three things, monks, shine openly, not in secret. What three ? The Moon, the Sun and the Dharma and Discipline proclaimed by the Tathâgata."  
+
::''"These three things, [[monks]], are conducted in secret, not openly. What three ? Affairs of woman, the [[mantras]] of the [[Brahmins]], and [[wrong view]]. But these three things, [[monks]], shine openly, not in secret. What three ? The [[Moon]], the {{Wiki|Sun}} and the [[Dharma]] and [[Discipline]] proclaimed by the [[Tathâgata]]."  
:::- Ekottarâgama (Anguttara-nikâya), 3:129.
+
:::- [[Ekottarâgama]] ([[Anguttara-nikâya]]), 3:129.
 
[[File:19gmkm.jpg|thumb|250px|]]
 
[[File:19gmkm.jpg|thumb|250px|]]
  
 
<div align="center"><center>
 
<div align="center"><center>
 
{|  id="AutoNumber3" border="1" bordercolor="#000000" cellpadding="10" cellspacing="0" width="720"  
 
{|  id="AutoNumber3" border="1" bordercolor="#000000" cellpadding="10" cellspacing="0" width="720"  
|  bordercolor="#FFFFFF" bgcolor="#999999" width="160" | <p align="center"><strong>Lesser Vehicle<br>
+
|  bordercolor="#FFFFFF" bgcolor="#999999" width="160" | <p align="center"><strong>[[Lesser Vehicle]]<br>
Hînayâna</strong></p>
+
[[Hînayâna]]</strong></p>
|  colspan="2" bordercolor="#000000" align="center" width="484" |  Hearer Vehicle<br>
+
|  colspan="2" bordercolor="#000000" align="center" width="484" |  [[Hearer Vehicle]]<br>
Śrâvakayâna
+
[[Śrâvakayâna]]
 
|  rowspan="5" bgcolor="#999999" width="12" |   
 
|  rowspan="5" bgcolor="#999999" width="12" |   
 
|-  
 
|-  
|  bordercolor="#FFFFFF" bgcolor="#999999" width="160" | <p align="center"><strong>Middle Vehicle<br>
+
|  bordercolor="#FFFFFF" bgcolor="#999999" width="160" | <p align="center"><strong>[[Middle Vehicle]]<br>
 
Mâdhyamayâna</strong></p>
 
Mâdhyamayâna</strong></p>
|  colspan="2" bordercolor="#000000" align="center" width="484" |  Solitary Realizer Vehicle<br>
+
|  colspan="2" bordercolor="#000000" align="center" width="484" |  [[Solitary Realizer Vehicle]]<br>
Pratyekabuddhayâna
+
[[Pratyekabuddhayâna]]
 
|-  
 
|-  
|  rowspan="4" bordercolor="#FFFFFF" bgcolor="#999999" width="160" | <p align="center"><strong>Great Vehicle<br>
+
|  rowspan="4" bordercolor="#FFFFFF" bgcolor="#999999" width="160" | <p align="center"><strong>[[Great Vehicle]]<br>
Mahâyâna</strong></p>
+
[[Mahâyâna]]</strong></p>
|  colspan="2" bordercolor="#000000" align="center" width="484" |  Great Perfection Vehicle<br>
+
|  colspan="2" bordercolor="#000000" align="center" width="484" |  [[Great Perfection]] [[Vehicle]]<br>
 
Pâramitâyâna - Sûtrayâna - [[Bodhisattvayâna]]
 
Pâramitâyâna - Sûtrayâna - [[Bodhisattvayâna]]
 
|-  
 
|-  
|  rowspan="2" bordercolor="#000000" align="center" width="324" |  Diamond Vehicle<br>
+
|  rowspan="2" bordercolor="#000000" align="center" width="324" |  [[Diamond Vehicle]]<br>
Tantrayâna - Mantrayâna<br>
+
[[Tantrayâna]] - [[Mantrayâna]]<br>
 
Guhyamantrayâna - [[Vajrayana]]
 
Guhyamantrayâna - [[Vajrayana]]
|  bordercolor="#000000" align="center" width="160" |  Outer Tantras
+
|  bordercolor="#000000" align="center" width="160" |  [[Outer Tantras]]
 
|-  
 
|-  
|  bordercolor="#000000" align="center" width="160" |  Inner Tantras
+
|  bordercolor="#000000" align="center" width="160" |  [[Inner Tantras]]
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
|  bordercolor="#000000" colspan="2" align="center" width="484" |  [[Dzogchen]] (or Mahâsandhi) - [[Mahâmudrâ]] - [[Zen]]
 
|  bordercolor="#000000" colspan="2" align="center" width="484" |  [[Dzogchen]] (or Mahâsandhi) - [[Mahâmudrâ]] - [[Zen]]
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|}</center></div>
 
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[[File:78962 n.jpg|thumb|250px|]]
 
[[File:78962 n.jpg|thumb|250px|]]
As a pragmatical & non-elitist religious philosophy, the Buddhadharma applies to everyday life as well as to abstract thought. It has "84.000 Dharma doors" leading to "nirvâna", the wisdom-mind of enlightenment attending to the ultimate nature of phenomena, emptiness.
+
As a pragmatical & non-elitist [[religious]] [[philosophy]], the [[Buddhadharma]] applies to everyday [[life]] as well as to abstract [[thought]]. It has "84.000 [[Dharma doors]]" leading to "[[nirvâna]]", the [[wisdom-mind]] of [[enlightenment]] attending to the [[Wikipedia:Absolute (philosophy)|ultimate]] [[nature]] of [[phenomena]], [[emptiness]].
  
"[[Nirvâna]]" is either (a) the bliss of liberation for oneself alone (as in the [[Hînayâna]]), (b) the final enlightenment of [[Buddhahood]] realized with [[Mahâyâna]] [[Bodhicitta]], the mind of enlightenment for the sake of all sentient beings, in particular "ultimate Bodhicitta", the wisdom-mind realizing the true nature of phenomena, emptiness or (c) the spontaneously self-perfected recognition of the inseparability of emptiness & clarity, as in [[Dzogchen]].
+
"[[Nirvâna]]" is either (a) the [[bliss]] of [[liberation]] for oneself alone (as in the [[Hînayâna]]), (b) the [[final enlightenment]] of [[Buddhahood]] [[realized]] with [[Mahâyâna]] [[Bodhicitta]], the [[mind of enlightenment]] for the sake of all [[sentient beings]], in particular "[[Wikipedia:Absolute (philosophy)|ultimate]] [[Bodhicitta]]", the [[wisdom-mind]] [[realizing]] the [[true nature of phenomena]], [[emptiness]] or (c) the spontaneously self-perfected {{Wiki|recognition}} of the {{Wiki|inseparability}} of [[emptiness]] & clarity, as in [[Dzogchen]].
  
Buddhadharma or Buddha's teachings on the Buddhayâna or "vehicle of enlightenment" is divided into Sûtra, Tantra and Dzogchen. Each of these has a different base, ground or view, a different path and thus a different fruit or result. Compare this to a three-tiered building.
+
[[Buddhadharma]] or [[Buddha's teachings]] on the [[Buddhayâna]] or "[[vehicle of enlightenment]]" is divided into [[Sûtra]], [[Tantra]] and [[Dzogchen]]. Each of these has a different base, ground or view, a different [[path]] and thus a different fruit or result. Compare this to a three-tiered building.
  
In a general utilitarian sense, cognitive systems bringing benefits to a large number of sentient beings are'' worthy of respect''. These "vehicles" or "paths" help the individual to cross the ocean of suffering and to find better physical, psychological, social, economical & spiritual conditions. Such increased happiness and surplus always benefits others as well.
+
In a general utilitarian [[sense]], [[Wikipedia:cognition|cognitive]] systems bringing benefits to a large number of [[sentient beings]] are'' [[worthy]] of [[respect]]''. These "vehicles" or "[[paths]]" help the {{Wiki|individual}} to cross the [[ocean of suffering]] and to find better [[physical]], [[psychological]], {{Wiki|social}}, {{Wiki|economical}} & [[spiritual]] [[conditions]]. Such increased [[happiness]] and surplus always benefits others as well.
  
The Buddhadharma points to three such vehicles ("yânas") :
+
The [[Buddhadharma]] points to three such vehicles ("yânas") :
  
# the human vehicles : invented by human beings for human beings, these secular systems try to guarantee their basic needs : food, housing, health care, education, family life, social services, a system of law, democracy, etc. Despite the many international organisations, humanity has not yet been able to establish a just human vehicle worldwide. Even today, when this should already be the case, it is shamefully not so ! On the contrary, the division between those who benefit from such systems and those who do not is becoming increasingly wider. Social injustice is rampant worldwide ! Hence, one may doubt the stand-alone effectiveness of these vehicles. It seems as if they incorporate the very causes of the suffering they intend to relief ;
+
# the [[human]] vehicles : invented by [[human beings]] for [[human beings]], these {{Wiki|secular}} systems try to guarantee their basic needs : [[food]], housing, [[health]] care, [[education]], [[family]] [[life]], {{Wiki|social}} services, a system of law, {{Wiki|democracy}}, etc. Despite the many international organisations, [[humanity]] has not yet been able to establish a just [[human vehicle]] worldwide. Even today, when this should already be the case, it is shamefully not so ! On the contrary, the [[division]] between those who [[benefit]] from such systems and those who do not is becoming increasingly wider. {{Wiki|Social}} injustice is rampant worldwide ! Hence, one may [[doubt]] the stand-alone effectiveness of these vehicles. It seems as if they incorporate the very [[causes]] of the [[suffering]] they intend to relief ;
# the Divine vehicle : invented by the gods for human beings, Buddha spoke of the "Brahma Vehicle", compromizing meditative techniques aiming to achieve the highest possible form of life'' within'' "samsâra". In particular, the Divine vehicle promotes the concentrations & absorptions of the form and formless realms of cyclic, conditioned existence, aiming at the highest "Jhâna", the so-called "Peak of Samsâra" (or cosmic consciousness). References to these states are found in all spiritual systems and religions. This vehicle leads to Divine states of consciousness and, according to the Buddha, rebirth as a "Deva" or Deity in the God-realm of cyclic existence. However, the Buddha experienced why these states, although extremely blissful & lasting for a very long time, are, at the end of the day, also transient & painful and so not the result sought. Indeed, Buddhists wish to attain the lasting peace of "nirvâna", i.e. a condition which effectively ''never ends'' ! So in final analysis, the power of death must be eradicated, implying one is able to control one's rebirth or stop rebirth altogether, which belongs to liberation & Buddhahood ;
+
# the [[Divine]] [[vehicle]] : invented by the [[gods]] for [[human beings]], [[Buddha]] spoke of the "[[Brahma]] [[Vehicle]]", compromizing [[meditative]] techniques aiming to achieve the [[highest]] possible [[form]] of [[life]]'' within'' "[[samsâra]]". In particular, the [[Divine]] [[vehicle]] promotes the concentrations & absorptions of the [[form]] and [[formless realms]] of cyclic, [[conditioned existence]], aiming at the [[highest]] "Jhâna", the so-called "Peak of [[Samsâra]]" (or [[cosmic consciousness]]). References to these states are found in all [[spiritual]] systems and [[religions]]. This [[vehicle]] leads to [[Divine]] [[states of consciousness]] and, according to the [[Buddha]], [[rebirth]] as a "[[Deva]]" or [[Deity]] in the [[God-realm]] of [[cyclic existence]]. However, the [[Buddha]] [[experienced]] why these states, although extremely [[blissful]] & lasting for a very long time, are, at the end of the day, also transient & [[painful]] and so not the result sought. Indeed, [[Buddhists]] wish to attain the lasting [[peace]] of "[[nirvâna]]", i.e. a [[condition]] which effectively ''never ends'' ! So in final analysis, the power of [[death]] must be eradicated, implying one is able to control one's [[rebirth]] or stop [[rebirth]] altogether, which belongs to [[liberation]] & [[Buddhahood]] ;
# the Buddha Vehicle : the Triyâna or "Three Vehicles" taught by Buddha Śâkyamuni are actually one vehicle, the Buddhayâna or Buddha Vehicle. In other words, the Individual or Lesser Vehicle ("Hînayâna"), the Great Vehicle ("Mahâyâna") and the Diamond Vehicle ("Vajrayâna") are three aspects of the one Buddha Vehicle, leading those gone for Refuge in the Three Jewels to lasting,'' true ''peace or "nirvâna", i.e. "passing beyond suffering". This is no longer a samsaric, mundane state of mind (secular or Divine), but an ineffable, totally transcendent, supramundane "Body of Truth" or "Dharmakâya", introduced by direct experiential recognition only.
+
# the [[Buddha Vehicle]] : the [[Triyâna]] or "[[Three Vehicles]]" [[taught]] by [[Buddha]] [[Śâkyamuni]] are actually one [[vehicle]], the [[Buddhayâna]] or [[Buddha Vehicle]]. In other words, the {{Wiki|Individual}} or [[Lesser Vehicle]] ("[[Hînayâna]]"), the [[Great Vehicle]] ("[[Mahâyâna]]") and the [[Diamond Vehicle]] ("[[Vajrayâna]]") are three aspects of the one [[Buddha Vehicle]], leading those gone for [[Refuge]] in the [[Three Jewels]] to lasting,'' true ''[[peace]] or "[[nirvâna]]", i.e. "passing beyond [[suffering]]". This is no longer a [[samsaric]], [[mundane]] [[state of mind]] ({{Wiki|secular}} or [[Divine]]), but an {{Wiki|ineffable}}, totally [[transcendent]], [[supramundane]] "[[Body of Truth]]" or "[[Dharmakâya]]", introduced by direct experiential {{Wiki|recognition}} only.
  
The Buddha Vehicle accommodates various types of seekers and can be seen as a three-tiered building, each with its view, path & fruit. Reformulating these divisions in more operational terms, classifying the teachings from "lesser" to "highest", we arrive at :
+
The [[Buddha Vehicle]] accommodates various types of seekers and can be seen as a three-tiered building, each with its view, [[path]] & fruit. Reformulating these divisions in more operational terms, classifying the teachings from "lesser" to "[[highest]]", we arrive at :
 
[[File:6NDYgUE0=.jpg|thumb|250px|]]
 
[[File:6NDYgUE0=.jpg|thumb|250px|]]
 
<div align="center"><center>
 
<div align="center"><center>
  
 
{|  id="AutoNumber5" border="1" bordercolor="#000000" cellpadding="10" cellspacing="0" width="720"  
 
{|  id="AutoNumber5" border="1" bordercolor="#000000" cellpadding="10" cellspacing="0" width="720"  
|  bordercolor="#FFFFFF" rowspan="3" bgcolor="#999999" width="160" | <p align="center"><strong>Hînayâna :<br>personal<br>liberation</strong></p>
+
|  bordercolor="#FFFFFF" rowspan="3" bgcolor="#999999" width="160" | <p align="center"><strong>[[Hînayâna]] :<br>personal<br>[[liberation]]</strong></p>
 
|  bordercolor="#000000" align="center" width="180" |  Hearer
 
|  bordercolor="#000000" align="center" width="180" |  Hearer
|  rowspan="3" align="center" width="316" |  view : Selflessness of persons<br>
+
|  rowspan="3" align="center" width="316" |  view : [[Selflessness]] of persons<br>
path : purification<br>
+
[[path]] : [[purification]]<br>
fruit : liberation of Arhathood
+
fruit : [[liberation]] of [[Arhathood]]
 
|-  
 
|-  
|  bordercolor="#000000" align="center" width="180" |  Solitary Buddha
+
|  bordercolor="#000000" align="center" width="180" |  [[Solitary Buddha]]
 
|-  
 
|-  
|  bordercolor="#000000" align="center" width="180" |  Arhat or Foe Destroyer
+
|  bordercolor="#000000" align="center" width="180" |  [[Arhat]] or [[Foe Destroyer]]
 
|-  
 
|-  
|  rowspan="3" bordercolor="#000" bgcolor="#999999" width="160" | <p align="center"><strong>Mahâyâna :<br>enlightenment<br>of all sentient<br>beings</strong></p>
+
|  rowspan="3" bordercolor="#000" bgcolor="#999999" width="160" | <p align="center"><strong>[[Mahâyâna]] :<br>[[enlightenment]]<br>of all [[sentient]]<br>[[beings]]</strong></p>
 
|  bordercolor="#000000" align="center" width="180" |  Sûtrayâna
 
|  bordercolor="#000000" align="center" width="180" |  Sûtrayâna
|  align="center" width="316" |  view : Mâdhyamaka / Yogâchâra<br>
+
|  align="center" width="316" |  view : Mâdhyamaka / [[Yogâchâra]]<br>
path of renunciation<br>
+
[[path]] of [[renunciation]]<br>
fruit : distant Buddhahood
+
fruit : distant [[Buddhahood]]
 
|-  
 
|-  
|  bordercolor="#000000" align="center" width="180" |  Tantrayâna
+
|  bordercolor="#000000" align="center" width="180" |  [[Tantrayâna]]
 
|  align="center" width="316" |  view : Śûnyâtâyâna<br>
 
|  align="center" width="316" |  view : Śûnyâtâyâna<br>
path of transformation<br>
+
[[path of transformation]]<br>
fruit : near Buddhahood
+
fruit : near [[Buddhahood]]
 
|-  
 
|-  
|  bordercolor="#000000" align="center" width="180" |  Dzogchen
+
|  bordercolor="#000000" align="center" width="180" |  [[Dzogchen]]
|  align="center" width="316" |  view : total primordial purity<br>
+
|  align="center" width="316" |  view : total [[primordial purity]]<br>
path of self-liberation<br>
+
[[path of self-liberation]]<br>
fruit : immediate Buddhahood
+
fruit : immediate [[Buddhahood]]
 
|}
 
|}
 
</center></div>
 
</center></div>
  
So, depending on their ability to realize a view & its concordant path, the Buddha Vehicle forsees each type of practitioners to generate his or her own co-relative spiritual fruit :
+
So, depending on their ability to realize a view & its concordant [[path]], the [[Buddha Vehicle]] forsees each type of practitioners to generate his or her [[own]] co-relative [[spiritual]] fruit :
  
* listening to the teacher, ''the Hearer ''is liberated for himself alone, but only realized the identitylessness of persons ;
+
* listening to the [[teacher]], ''the Hearer ''is {{Wiki|liberated}} for himself alone, but only [[realized]] the identitylessness of persons ;
* having eliminated all fetters, the ''Arhat'' or ''Foe Destroyer'' is no longer subject to rebirth (liberated from cyclic existence), but not yet a Buddha ;  
+
* having eliminated all [[fetters]], the ''[[Arhat]]'' or ''[[Foe Destroyer]]'' is no longer [[subject]] to [[rebirth]] ({{Wiki|liberated}} from [[cyclic existence]]), but not yet a [[Buddha]] ;  
* on his own, by his own efforts & for himself alone, ''the Pratyekabuddha'' or "private Buddha" is liberated, but only realizes the identitylessness of persons. He does not teach the Dharma (except morality), does not bring others to enlightenment (except a few students drawn to him) and arises when there is no Buddha to teach ;
+
* on his [[own]], by his [[own]] efforts & for himself alone, ''the [[Pratyekabuddha]]'' or "private [[Buddha]]" is {{Wiki|liberated}}, but only realizes the identitylessness of persons. He does not teach the [[Dharma]] (except [[morality]]), does not bring others to [[enlightenment]] (except a few students drawn to him) and arises when there is no [[Buddha]] to teach ;
* the ''Sutric Bodhisattva'' is dedicated to save all sentient beings (Bodhicitta), also realizes the identitylessness of all phenomena, approaches the fruit by way of dual cognition (the Two Truths), but has to work very hard for an extremely long time before attaining the goal of final elightenment, Buddhahood ;
+
* the ''[[Sutric]] [[Bodhisattva]]'' is dedicated to save all [[sentient beings]] ([[Bodhicitta]]), also realizes the identitylessness of all [[phenomena]], approaches the fruit by way of dual [[cognition]] (the [[Two Truths]]), but has to work very hard for an extremely long time before [[attaining]] the goal of final elightenment, [[Buddhahood]] ;
* the ''Tantric Bodhisattva'' generates relative & absolute Bodhicitta, has a complete realization of emptiness, still approaches the fruit by way of the Two Truths, has the superior method of Deity Yoga, but may still need several rebirths before enjoying the fruit (or achieve it in a single lifetime) ;
+
* the ''[[Tantric]] [[Bodhisattva]]'' generates [[relative]] & [[absolute]] [[Bodhicitta]], has a complete [[realization of emptiness]], still approaches the fruit by way of the [[Two Truths]], has the {{Wiki|superior}} method of [[Deity Yoga]], but may still need several [[rebirths]] before enjoying the fruit (or achieve it in a single [[lifetime]]) ;
* the ''Dzogchen Bodhisattva'' generates Bodhicitta, has a correct view on emptiness and a non-causal, spontaneous, nondual, single introduction to the ultimate, self-liberating all possible thoughts immediately. He may achieve Buddhahood in a single lifetime. He transcends both cyclic existence and "nirvâna". By way of the view, the path is the fruit ...
+
* the ''[[Dzogchen]] [[Bodhisattva]]'' generates [[Bodhicitta]], has a [[correct view]] on [[emptiness]] and a [[non-causal]], spontaneous, [[nondual]], single introduction to the [[Wikipedia:Absolute (philosophy)|ultimate]], self-liberating all possible [[thoughts]] immediately. He may achieve [[Buddhahood]] in a single [[lifetime]]. He {{Wiki|transcends}} both [[cyclic existence]] and "[[nirvâna]]". By way of the view, the [[path]] is the fruit ...
  
 
{{R}}
 
{{R}}

Revision as of 03:32, 16 October 2015

"These three things, monks, are conducted in secret, not openly. What three ? Affairs of woman, the mantras of the Brahmins, and wrong view. But these three things, monks, shine openly, not in secret. What three ? The Moon, the Sun and the Dharma and Discipline proclaimed by the Tathâgata."
- Ekottarâgama (Anguttara-nikâya), 3:129.
19gmkm.jpg

Lesser Vehicle
Hînayâna

Hearer Vehicle

Śrâvakayâna

Middle Vehicle
Mâdhyamayâna

Solitary Realizer Vehicle

Pratyekabuddhayâna

Great Vehicle
Mahâyâna

Great Perfection Vehicle

Pâramitâyâna - Sûtrayâna - Bodhisattvayâna

Diamond Vehicle

Tantrayâna - Mantrayâna
Guhyamantrayâna - Vajrayana

Outer Tantras
Inner Tantras
Dzogchen (or Mahâsandhi) - Mahâmudrâ - Zen
78962 n.jpg

As a pragmatical & non-elitist religious philosophy, the Buddhadharma applies to everyday life as well as to abstract thought. It has "84.000 Dharma doors" leading to "nirvâna", the wisdom-mind of enlightenment attending to the ultimate nature of phenomena, emptiness.

"Nirvâna" is either (a) the bliss of liberation for oneself alone (as in the Hînayâna), (b) the final enlightenment of Buddhahood realized with Mahâyâna Bodhicitta, the mind of enlightenment for the sake of all sentient beings, in particular "ultimate Bodhicitta", the wisdom-mind realizing the true nature of phenomena, emptiness or (c) the spontaneously self-perfected recognition of the inseparability of emptiness & clarity, as in Dzogchen.

Buddhadharma or Buddha's teachings on the Buddhayâna or "vehicle of enlightenment" is divided into Sûtra, Tantra and Dzogchen. Each of these has a different base, ground or view, a different path and thus a different fruit or result. Compare this to a three-tiered building.

In a general utilitarian sense, cognitive systems bringing benefits to a large number of sentient beings are worthy of respect. These "vehicles" or "paths" help the individual to cross the ocean of suffering and to find better physical, psychological, social, economical & spiritual conditions. Such increased happiness and surplus always benefits others as well.

The Buddhadharma points to three such vehicles ("yânas") :

  1. the human vehicles : invented by human beings for human beings, these secular systems try to guarantee their basic needs : food, housing, health care, education, family life, social services, a system of law, democracy, etc. Despite the many international organisations, humanity has not yet been able to establish a just human vehicle worldwide. Even today, when this should already be the case, it is shamefully not so ! On the contrary, the division between those who benefit from such systems and those who do not is becoming increasingly wider. Social injustice is rampant worldwide ! Hence, one may doubt the stand-alone effectiveness of these vehicles. It seems as if they incorporate the very causes of the suffering they intend to relief ;
  2. the Divine vehicle : invented by the gods for human beings, Buddha spoke of the "Brahma Vehicle", compromizing meditative techniques aiming to achieve the highest possible form of life within "samsâra". In particular, the Divine vehicle promotes the concentrations & absorptions of the form and formless realms of cyclic, conditioned existence, aiming at the highest "Jhâna", the so-called "Peak of Samsâra" (or cosmic consciousness). References to these states are found in all spiritual systems and religions. This vehicle leads to Divine states of consciousness and, according to the Buddha, rebirth as a "Deva" or Deity in the God-realm of cyclic existence. However, the Buddha experienced why these states, although extremely blissful & lasting for a very long time, are, at the end of the day, also transient & painful and so not the result sought. Indeed, Buddhists wish to attain the lasting peace of "nirvâna", i.e. a condition which effectively never ends ! So in final analysis, the power of death must be eradicated, implying one is able to control one's rebirth or stop rebirth altogether, which belongs to liberation & Buddhahood ;
  3. the Buddha Vehicle : the Triyâna or "Three Vehicles" taught by Buddha Śâkyamuni are actually one vehicle, the Buddhayâna or Buddha Vehicle. In other words, the Individual or Lesser Vehicle ("Hînayâna"), the Great Vehicle ("Mahâyâna") and the Diamond Vehicle ("Vajrayâna") are three aspects of the one Buddha Vehicle, leading those gone for Refuge in the Three Jewels to lasting, true peace or "nirvâna", i.e. "passing beyond suffering". This is no longer a samsaric, mundane state of mind (secular or Divine), but an ineffable, totally transcendent, supramundane "Body of Truth" or "Dharmakâya", introduced by direct experiential recognition only.

The Buddha Vehicle accommodates various types of seekers and can be seen as a three-tiered building, each with its view, path & fruit. Reformulating these divisions in more operational terms, classifying the teachings from "lesser" to "highest", we arrive at :

6NDYgUE0=.jpg

Hînayâna :
personal
liberation

Hearer view : Selflessness of persons

path : purification
fruit : liberation of Arhathood

Solitary Buddha
Arhat or Foe Destroyer

Mahâyâna :
enlightenment
of all sentient
beings

Sûtrayâna view : Mâdhyamaka / Yogâchâra

path of renunciation
fruit : distant Buddhahood

Tantrayâna view : Śûnyâtâyâna

path of transformation
fruit : near Buddhahood

Dzogchen view : total primordial purity

path of self-liberation
fruit : immediate Buddhahood

So, depending on their ability to realize a view & its concordant path, the Buddha Vehicle forsees each type of practitioners to generate his or her own co-relative spiritual fruit :

Source

bodhi.sofiatopia.org