Difference between revisions of "Śrāvakayāna"
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| − | '''[[Śrāvakayāna]]''' ([[Sanskrit]]: [[ष्रवकयन]];, [[Pali]]: [[श्रभकयन]]) is one of the three [[yānas]] known to [[Mahāyāna]] [[Buddhism]]. It translates literally as the "[[vehicle of listeners]] [i.e. [[disciples]]]". Historically it was the most common term is used by [[Mahayana]] [[Buddhist]] texts to describe one {{Wiki|hypothetical}} [[path]] to [[Enlightenment]]. [[Śrāvakayāna]] is the [[path]] that meets the goals of a [[Arhat]] – an {{Wiki|individual}} who achieves {{Wiki|liberation}} as a result of listening to the teachings (or [[lineage]]) of a [[Bodhisattva]] [[Buddha]]. | + | |
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| + | '''[[Śrāvakayāna]]''' ([[Sanskrit]]: [[ष्रवकयन]];, [[Pali]]: [[श्रभकयन]]) is one of the three [[yānas]] known to [[Mahāyāna]] [[Buddhism]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | It translates literally as the "[[vehicle of listeners]] [i.e. [[disciples]]]". Historically it was the most common term is used by [[Mahayana]] [[Buddhist]] texts to describe one {{Wiki|hypothetical}} [[path]] to [[Enlightenment]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | [[Śrāvakayāna]] is the [[path]] that meets the goals of a [[Arhat]] – an {{Wiki|individual}} who achieves {{Wiki|liberation}} as a result of listening to the teachings (or [[lineage]]) of a [[Bodhisattva]] [[Buddha]]. | ||
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== Use of the term == | == Use of the term == | ||
| − | {{Wiki|Scholar}} {{Wiki|Isabelle Onians}} asserts that although "the [[Mahāyāna]] ... very occasionally referred contemptuously to earlier [[Buddhism]] as the [[Hinayāna]], the {{Wiki|Inferior}} Way," "the preponderance of this [[name]] in the secondary {{Wiki|literature}} is far out of proportion to occurrences in the [[Indian]] texts." She notes that the term [[Śrāvakayāna]] was "the more {{Wiki|politically}} correct and much more usual" term used by [[Mahāyānists]]. "[[Hīnayāna]]" (the "[[lesser vehicle]]"), however, was used to include both [[Śrāvakayāna]] and [[Pratyekayāna]] in contrast to the [[Mahāyāna]]. | + | |
| + | {{Wiki|Scholar}} {{Wiki|Isabelle Onians}} asserts that although "the [[Mahāyāna]] ... very occasionally referred contemptuously to earlier [[Buddhism]] as the [[Hinayāna]], | ||
| + | |||
| + | the {{Wiki|Inferior}} Way," "the preponderance of this [[name]] in the secondary {{Wiki|literature}} is far out of proportion to occurrences in the [[Indian]] texts." | ||
| + | |||
| + | She notes that the term [[Śrāvakayāna]] was "the more {{Wiki|politically}} correct and much more usual" term used by [[Mahāyānists]]. | ||
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| + | "[[Hīnayāna]]" (the "[[lesser vehicle]]"), however, was used to include both [[Śrāvakayāna]] and [[Pratyekayāna]] in contrast to the [[Mahāyāna]]. | ||
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== In the [[Theravada school]] == | == In the [[Theravada school]] == | ||
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The term [[Śrāvakayāna]] does not appear in [[Theravadin]] [[scriptures]]. | The term [[Śrāvakayāna]] does not appear in [[Theravadin]] [[scriptures]]. | ||
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=== Possible [[latter]] use in commentaries === | === Possible [[latter]] use in commentaries === | ||
| − | It has apparently been claimed by some that a small number of [[latter]] [[Theravadin]] commentaries may have used the term to differentiate between the normal [[path]] to [[Enlightenment]] - that based on receiving the [[Dhamma]] through [[The Sangha]], and the [[enlightenment]] of the [[pacceka]] ([[Sanskrit]]: [[Pratyekayāna]]; roughly "one who becomes [[enlightened]] without the aid of [[The Sangha]]"). If this usage did in fact occur, then it should not be misrepresented as a [[Theravadin]] [[view]] and instead recognised for what it is: a later terminological accretion. | + | It has apparently been |
| + | claimed by some that a small number of [[latter]] [[Theravadin]] commentaries may have used the term to differentiate between the normal [[path]] to [[Enlightenment]] - that based on receiving the [[Dhamma]] through [[The Sangha]], | ||
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| + | and the [[enlightenment]] of the [[pacceka]] ([[Sanskrit]]: [[Pratyekayāna]]; | ||
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| + | roughly "one who becomes [[enlightened]] without the aid of [[The Sangha]]"). | ||
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| + | If this usage did in fact occur, then it should not be misrepresented as a [[Theravadin]] [[view]] and instead recognised for what it is: a later terminological accretion. | ||
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| − | In the 4th century [[Mahāyāna]] [[Abhidharma]] work [[Abhidharmasamuccaya]], [[Asaṅga]] describes those who follow the [[Śrāvaka Vehicle]] (Skt. [[śrāvakayanika]]). These [[people]] are described as having weak [[faculties]], following the [[Śrāvaka]] [[Dharma]], utilizing the [[Śrāvaka]] [[Piṭaka]], [[being]] set on their [[own]] [[liberation]], and [[cultivating]] [[detachment]] in [[order]] to attain [[liberation]]. While those in the [[Pratyekabuddha Vehicle]] (Skt. [[pratyekabuddhayānika]]) are portrayed as also utilizing the [[Śrāvaka Piṭaka]], they are said to have {{Wiki|medium}} [[faculties]], to follow the [[Pratyekabuddha]] [[Dharma]], and to be set on their [[own]] personal [[Enlightenment]]. Finally, those in the [[Mahāyāna]] (Skt. [[mahāyānika]]) are portrayed as utilizing the [[Bodhisattva Piṭaka]], as having sharp [[faculties]], following the [[Bodhisattva]] [[Dharma]], and set on the {{Wiki|perfection}} and {{Wiki|liberation}} of all [[beings]], and the [[attainment]] of complete [[Enlightenment]]. | + | ==In [[Mahāyāna traditions]]== |
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| + | In the 4th century [[Mahāyāna]] [[Abhidharma]] work [[Abhidharmasamuccaya]], [[Asaṅga]] describes those who follow the [[Śrāvaka Vehicle]] (Skt. [[śrāvakayanika]]). | ||
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| + | These [[people]] are described as having weak [[faculties]], following the [[Śrāvaka]] [[Dharma]], utilizing the [[Śrāvaka]] [[Piṭaka]], [[being]] set on their [[own]] [[liberation]], and [[cultivating]] [[detachment]] in [[order]] to attain [[liberation]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | While those in the [[Pratyekabuddha Vehicle]] (Skt. [[pratyekabuddhayānika]]) are portrayed as also utilizing the [[Śrāvaka Piṭaka]], they are said to have {{Wiki|medium}} [[faculties]], to follow the [[Pratyekabuddha]] [[Dharma]], and to be set on their [[own]] personal [[Enlightenment]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Finally, those in the [[Mahāyāna]] (Skt. [[mahāyānika]]) are portrayed as utilizing the [[Bodhisattva Piṭaka]], as having sharp [[faculties]], following the [[Bodhisattva]] [[Dharma]], and set on the {{Wiki|perfection}} and {{Wiki|liberation}} of all [[beings]], and the [[attainment]] of complete [[Enlightenment]]. | ||
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Revision as of 16:25, 3 March 2016
Śrāvakayāna (Sanskrit: ष्रवकयन;, Pali: श्रभकयन) is one of the three yānas known to Mahāyāna Buddhism.
It translates literally as the "vehicle of listeners [i.e. disciples]". Historically it was the most common term is used by Mahayana Buddhist texts to describe one hypothetical path to Enlightenment.
Śrāvakayāna is the path that meets the goals of a Arhat – an individual who achieves liberation as a result of listening to the teachings (or lineage) of a Bodhisattva Buddha.
Use of the term
Scholar Isabelle Onians asserts that although "the Mahāyāna ... very occasionally referred contemptuously to earlier Buddhism as the Hinayāna,
the Inferior Way," "the preponderance of this name in the secondary literature is far out of proportion to occurrences in the Indian texts."
She notes that the term Śrāvakayāna was "the more politically correct and much more usual" term used by Mahāyānists.
"Hīnayāna" (the "lesser vehicle"), however, was used to include both Śrāvakayāna and Pratyekayāna in contrast to the Mahāyāna.
In the Theravada school
The term Śrāvakayāna does not appear in Theravadin scriptures.
Possible latter use in commentaries
It has apparently been claimed by some that a small number of latter Theravadin commentaries may have used the term to differentiate between the normal path to Enlightenment - that based on receiving the Dhamma through The Sangha,
and the enlightenment of the pacceka (Sanskrit: Pratyekayāna;
roughly "one who becomes enlightened without the aid of The Sangha").
If this usage did in fact occur, then it should not be misrepresented as a Theravadin view and instead recognised for what it is: a later terminological accretion.
In Mahāyāna traditions
In the 4th century Mahāyāna Abhidharma work Abhidharmasamuccaya, Asaṅga describes those who follow the Śrāvaka Vehicle (Skt. śrāvakayanika).
These people are described as having weak faculties, following the Śrāvaka Dharma, utilizing the Śrāvaka Piṭaka, being set on their own liberation, and cultivating detachment in order to attain liberation.
While those in the Pratyekabuddha Vehicle (Skt. pratyekabuddhayānika) are portrayed as also utilizing the Śrāvaka Piṭaka, they are said to have medium faculties, to follow the Pratyekabuddha Dharma, and to be set on their own personal Enlightenment.
Finally, those in the Mahāyāna (Skt. mahāyānika) are portrayed as utilizing the Bodhisattva Piṭaka, as having sharp faculties, following the Bodhisattva Dharma, and set on the perfection and liberation of all beings, and the attainment of complete Enlightenment.
