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Significance of Three vehicles

The concept of Three Vehicles in Buddhism represents various paths to enlightenment suited to the diverse inclinations of sentient beings. These paths include the Sravaka, Pratyekabuddha, and Bodhisattva vehicles, each with distinct teachings and practices. While they are tailored to different capacities, all ultimately lead to a shared goal of enlightenment and liberation. The teachings emphasize the idea that despite the existence of multiple approaches, they converge into one true path towards spiritual awakening, culminating in the Buddha-vehicle.

Synonyms: Car

The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.

Buddhist concept of 'Three vehicles'

Buddhism Books

The Three Vehicles in Buddhism encompass distinct paths: the shravakas, pratyekabuddhas, and bodhisattvas. Each offers a unique approach to enlightenment and liberation, highlighting varying methods suited to individual practitioners' needs within Buddhist teachings.

Significance in Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism):
Mahayana Books

From: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra

(1) Describes a category within the nine paths that encompass three main paths of Buddhist practice.[1] (2) Refers to the three approaches within Buddhism: the vehicle of the shravakas (individuals), the bodhisattva's vehicle, and the non-Buddhist paths.[2] (3) The three paths to enlightenment: those leading to the Buddhas, pratyekabuddhas, and shravakas, representing different modes of practice and realization.[3] (4) The three paths or methods utilized by the Buddha to save beings.[4] (5) The paths toward enlightenment, specifically referring to various approaches in Buddhist practice that lead to spiritual awakening.[5]

From: Mahayana Mahaparinirvana Sutra

(1) The three paths in Buddhism that lead to spiritual liberation: the path of the Sravakas, Pratyekabuddhas, and Bodhisattvas.[6] (2) The teachings that encompass different paths to enlightenment: the Sravaka, Pratyekabuddha, and Bodhisattva paths.[7] (3) The three paths of Buddhist practice: sravaka, pratyekabuddha, and Bodhisattva, which lead to enlightenment.[8] (4) Different paths in Buddhist teachings aimed at achieving enlightenment, often referring to the approaches followed by Bodhisattvas, sravakas, and pratyekabuddhas.[9] (5) The different paths of Buddhist practice: the vehicle of sravakas, pratyekabuddhas, and Bodhisattvas.[10]

From: Lotus Sutra (Saddharma-Pundarika)

(1) Refers to the different paths toward enlightenment (disciples, Pratyekabuddhas, and Buddhas) that are perceived to exist but ultimately lead to one universal truth.[11] (2) Refers to the paths in Buddhism: the vehicle of disciples, the vehicle of Pratyekabuddhas, and the vehicle of Bodhisattvas, representing different ways to enlightenment.[12] (3) The distinct paths of disciples, Pratyekabuddhas, and Bodhisattvas presented to attract beings.[13] (4) A concept referring to different methods or paths (such as the disciplines of disciples, Pratyekabuddhas, and Bodhisattvas) that lead to enlightenment, although ultimately there is only one true vehicle, the Buddha-vehicle.[14]

From: Bodhisattvacharyavatara

(1) Refers to the practitioners who follow three specific vehicles aimed at achieving personal enlightenment.[15]

From: The Perfection Of Wisdom In Eight Thousand Lines

(1) Different paths or methods (typically in Buddhist tradition) understood in the context of enlightenment and spiritual awakening.[16]

From: The gods of northern Buddhism

(1) Tri-yana, referring to the three paths of Buddhism: Mahayana (great vehicle), Madhyamayana (middle vehicle), and Hinayana (small vehicle).[17]

From: Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva Purvapranidhana Sutra

(1) Refers to the paths of Shravakas, Pratyekabuddhas, and Bodhisattvas in Mahayana Buddhism; part of the categorization of the Buddhist teachings.[18]

From: The 6th Patriarch Platform Sutra

(1) Refers to the vehicles yoked with goats, deers, and bullocks representing different levels of Buddhist teachings.[19]

Mahayana is a major branch of Buddhism focusing on the path of a Bodhisattva (spiritual aspirants/ enlightened beings). Extant literature is vast and primarely composed in the Sanskrit language. There are many sutras of which some of the earliest are the various Prajnaparamita sutras.

Significance in Buddhism (general):

From: The Great Chariot

(1) Refers to the three distinct paths outlined in the teachings, which all culminate in a single vehicle of fruition.[20] (2) The three methods or approaches to spiritual practice taught by the Buddha, each suited to the varying inclinations and capabilities of sentient beings.[21]

Significance in Theravada (major branch of Buddhism):
Theravada Books

From: Maha Buddhavamsa鈥擳he Great Chronicle of Buddhas

(1) The paths of practice leading to enlightenment, which individuals can enter by cultivating the paramis.[22]

Theravada is a major branch of Buddhism having the the Pali canon (tipitaka) as their canonical literature, which includes the vinaya-pitaka (monastic rules), the sutta-pitaka (Buddhist sermons) and the abhidhamma-pitaka (philosophy and psychology).

Significance in Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism):
Tibetan Buddhism Books

From: Blue Annals (deb-ther sngon-po)

(1) Conceptual categories of Buddhist teachings, which he understood to be similar in meaning.[23]

Tibetan Buddhism includes schools such as Nyingma, Kadampa, Kagyu and Gelug. Their primary canon of literature is divided in two broad categories: The Kangyur, which consists of Buddha鈥檚 words, and the Tengyur, which includes commentaries from various sources. Esotericism and tantra techniques (vajrayana) are collected indepently.