or groups orvehicles"(Buddhist Basics pg.2). The first of the three is Hinayana school,aslo known as the Theraveda school, School of the Elders, and the "lesservehicle." This school is widely practiced in Southeast Asia. This is the oldestand probably the most strict of the three. It also regards itself as the closest tothe original teachings of the Buddha. While Hinayana focuses on the FourNoble Truth and the Eightfold Path just like the other schools, it is stilldifferent. "Its emphasis is on personal rather that collectiveliberation"(Buddhist Basics pg.2). This is based on the Buddhas thought thatone cannot enlighten another. This "looking out for number one" mentality isprobably why this school is the "lesser vehicle." Another reason may be that itwould take a smaller, lesser, vehicle to take only person to Nirvana, asopposed to helping others come along. Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka This is thedesire of the "Mahayana, which means great vehicle"(Wangu pg.50), school.This school developed in India during the first century C.E. As wasmentioned before, They "desire to liberate all beings"(Buddhist Basics pg.3).This is based on the question of if an enlightened individual could enterNirvana while others are still suffering. Because of this the ideal becomes the"bodhisattava- literally, a being of wisdom"(Wangu pg.52), or one whopostpones entry into Nirvana and who is consciously reborn to helphumanity. "The bodhisavatta is similar to the sacrificial role of Jesus inChristianity"(Wangu pg.53). "Mahayanist strongly emphasize compassion asthe ultimate form of practice"(Buddhist Basics pg.3). This all inclusiveapproach is most likely the reason as to why it is called the "great vehicle."There is also the reason of the size of vehicle it would take to "transport" thepeople to Nirvana. There is also a third school which came from theMahayana school. This is the Tantrayana school, also known as Vajrayana orthe "diamond vehicle." It began in India du...
