Differences Hinayana & Theravada Buddhism

[tiltbillings]

I would say Hinayana practice with a Mahayana spirit is also the best way to approach practice in Theravada.

Just curious but what would be your definition of Mahayana spirit? And what is hinayana practice? If Theravada is not hinayana why would Theravadans practice a hinayana type practice? What is hinayana practice anyway if hinayana schools are no longer existent or practiced anymore?

I think you missed my point, Hinayana is not a school it's a style or approach to practice, Theravadin students would do it for the same reason Zen students do.

In the way Suzuki Roshi uses it Hinayana practice is concerned with disciplined detailed practice, step by step adherence to a method or discipline. Anyone who has been on a Theravadin Vipassana retreat or a Zen Sesshin will know just what I'm talking about.

Mahayana spirit (or mind) is to see the big picture, big mind, to be open, to free the mind to see things from a whole different viewpoint.

This is a balanced approach to practice. Don't get hung up in this school vs that school or this doctrine vs that doctrine. If you only have method and discipline without any capacity to free your mind then you'll hit a dead end, if you have a big mind but no discipline you'll get lost.

I understand what you are saying, but on the other hand, it could also easily be seen as just confusing terminology that we might not really need.

[Goofaholix]

I understand what you are saying, but on the other hand, it could also easily be seen as just confusing terminology that we might not really need.

Actually I think the endless Hinyana vs Mahayana threads is what we might not really need. Suzuki Roshi is is a pretty highly regarded teacher, I think he knows what he's doing

[tiltbillings]

I understand what you are saying, but on the other hand, it could also easily be seen as just confusing terminology that we might not really need.

Actually I think the endless Hinyana vs Mahayana threads is what we might not really need. Suzuki Roshi is is a pretty highly regarded teacher, I think he knows what he's doing

The problem is that the Mahayana stuck us with this unfortunate terminology that is confusing and divisive. I suspect there are a fair few that have taken the notion of hinayana and all its negative baggage seriously when applied to the Theravada, cutting themselves off from the Theravada because it is hinayana, lesser in scope and goal. It is worth the effort to respond to that.

As for Suzuki Roshi, that he uses hinayana in a particular context, which may be okay with that context, but it does not mean we need to use those confusing words in a way that just adds more confusion as to what they mean.

[Mawkish1983]

I think the endless Hinayana vs Mahayana threads is what we might not really need

Agreed. The search function here (and on other forums) is very powerful but underused. As and when these threads keep popping up (as they invariably will) I think it'd be better for there to just be a link to an identical thread that doubtlessly exists posted and for the thread to be closed. Why keep so many identical threads open? I don't get it.

[tiltbillings]

I think the endless Hinayana vs Mahayana threads is what we might not really need

Agreed. The search function here (and on other forums) is very powerful but underused. As and when these threads keep popping up (as they invariably will) I think it'd be better for there to just be a link to an identical thread that doubtlessly exists posted and for the thread to be closed. Why keep so many identical threads open? I don't get it.

If you would collect a list of the threads on this subject, that would help greatly. Those than can be merged, would then be merged, lessening the number threads, and having such a list, we could then direct people wondering about this issue to the appropriate thread rather than starting a new one and lessening the crankiness level of those here who get cranky about such threads. All in all it would be a noble thing for you to understake..

[Mawkish1983]

All in all it would be a noble thing for you to understake..

'twould be much more practical for me to attempt to compile that list whilst sitting at my computer (in general I use my mobile phone for internet browsing, mainly because my PC is in a rather cold study which takes some time to warm up). I'll have much more time on Monday (my day off), so I'll have a go then. Don't get me wrong, I'm not 'cranky' about it, afterall I could just not bother viewing threads such as these I just don't see the point of so much repetition.

Anyway, thanks Tilt for the suggestion, I'll have a go on Monday

[tiltbillings]

Anyway, thanks Tilt for the suggestion, I'll have a go on Monday

No hurry and seriously, it would be appreciated.

[Goofaholix]

The problem is that the Mahayana stuck us with this unfortunate terminology that is confusing and divisive. I suspect there are a fair few that have taken the notion of hinayana and all its negative baggage seriously when applied to the Theravada, cutting themselves off from the Theravada because it is hinayana, lesser in scope and goal. It is worth the effort to respond to that.

As for Suzuki Roshi, that he uses hinayana in a particular context, which may be okay with that context, but it does not mean we need to use those confusing words in a way that just adds more confusion as to what they mean.

True enough, but I think the fact that a well known Mahayana teacher calls his own style of practice "Hinayana" is evidence that they aren't all out to stick it to us and maybe the phrase wasn't just a polemic invented to beat non Mahayanists over the head with.

At the end of the day the usual touted polemic has nothing at all to do with Theravada anyway, however Suzuki Roshis meaning is useful no matter what path you're following.

[tiltbillings]

True enough, but I think the fact that a well known Mahayana teacher calls his own style of practice "Hinayana" is evidence that they aren't all out to stick it to us and maybe the phrase wasn't just a polemic invented to beat non Mahayanists over the head with.

Tibetan teachers use the term hinayana in this way quite frequently; however, even that usage is not really appropriate to the Theravada.

. . . however Suzuki Roshis meaning is useful no matter what path you're following.

It is better, it would seem, just to leave these terms aside.

[PeterB]

Hear hear.

[Sucitto]

Namo Buddhaya all, but actually, I made the post for knowing more about the topic. And now, I've known more about it.
Anumodana & thank you to who had replied my post.

[retrofuturist]

Greetings Tilt,

I suspect there are a fair few that have taken the notion of hinayana and all its negative baggage seriously when applied to the Theravada, cutting themselves off from the Theravada because it is hinayana, lesser in scope and goal. It is worth the effort to respond to that.

Indeed.



Metta,
Retro.

[Dan74]

Now you're just going to confuse everyone with that avatar, Retro!

And maybe you should change your nic to Retrobillings or Tiltofuturist, just to make sure.

[retrofuturist]

Greetings Dan,



Metta,
Retro.