maha-yana

Updated: May 2, 2025

There are three "vehicles" in Buddhism, but only two of them need be mentioned here the Hina-yana, or Small Vehicle, and the Maha-yana, or Great Vehicle. The term "vehicle" signifies a body of doctrine on which "a believer may ride to the perfect consummation of his humanity."

F. (Frank) Brinkley - A History of the Japanese People : From the Earliest Times to the End of the Meiji Era

After his death his biography was compiled in forty-eight volumes by imperial order, and later, three other emperors copied or republished it. One of Buddha's disciples said, that in the teachings of the Master there are two divisions or vehicles. In the Maha-yana also there are two gates; the Holy path, and the Pure Land.

William Elliot Griffis - The Religions of Japan: From the Dawn of History to the Era of Méiji

The Smaller Vehicle is the doctrine by which the immediate disciples of Buddha and those for five hundred years succeeding, practised the various virtues and discipline. The gateway of the Maha-yana is also the doctrine, by which in addition to the trainings mentioned, there are also understood the three virtues of spiritual body, wisdom and deliverance.

William Elliot Griffis - The Religions of Japan: From the Dawn of History to the Era of Méiji

The canon in China is seven hundred times the amount of the New Testament," and, of course, this vast extent means that there is a correspondingly wide field for eclecticism. "The Hina-yana did not trouble itself with metaphysical speculation; that was reserved for the Maha-yana, and Kukai was the greatest Japanese teacher of the arcana of Buddhism.

F. (Frank) Brinkley - A History of the Japanese People : From the Earliest Times to the End of the Meiji Era

In the Hina-yana the perfect path is to abstain from four things women, palaces, beautiful objects, and riches. In the Maha-yana perfect virtue is the presence of four things the spirit of wisdom, the love of virtue, patience and firmness, and the retired life.

F. (Frank) Brinkley - A History of the Japanese People : From the Earliest Times to the End of the Meiji Era

By the "spirit of wisdom" is meant the constant desire for the truth; by the "love of virtue" is signified the abhorrence of evil; by "patience and firmness" are indicated perfect manliness as exhibited towards the weak; by "the retired life" is designated humility and self-effacement. "There is nothing in the world like the Chinese scriptures of the Maha-yana.

F. (Frank) Brinkley - A History of the Japanese People : From the Earliest Times to the End of the Meiji Era

The difference between these two requires many words to explain fully, whereas only a few can be devoted to the purpose here. "The Hina-yana Sutra is intended for beginners; the Maha-yana for those more advanced in the path of the law." The teaching in the former is negative; in the latter, positive.

F. (Frank) Brinkley - A History of the Japanese People : From the Earliest Times to the End of the Meiji Era