Observations placeholder
The Ceasing of Notions – 24 How to recognise an enlightened person
Identifier
029197
Type of Spiritual Experience
Background
"Hīnayāna" is a Sanskrit term, which, in Classical Chinese and Tibetan is translated as "smaller vehicle". Hīnayāna was often contrasted with Mahāyāna, which means the "great vehicle".
Thrangu Rinpoche has emphasized that hinayana is in no way implying "inferior". …. he writes, "all three traditions of hinayana, mahayana, and vajrayana were practiced in Tibet…."
The Chinese monk Yijing, who visited India in the 7th century, distinguished Mahāyāna from Hīnayāna as follows:
Both adopt one and the same Vinaya, and they have in common the prohibitions of the five offenses, and also the practice of the Four Noble Truths. Those who venerate (regard with great respect) the bodhisattvas and read the Mahāyāna sūtras are called the Mahāyānists, while those who do not perform these are called the Hīnayānists.
A description of the experience
The Ceasing of Notions
Emmon: "One who inwardly is well versed in the principles of the Great Vehicle, yet presents outwardly the appearance of the Small Vehicle, can such a one harm the Dharma?"
Master Nyuri :"You are trying to force an old man to play the fool and indulge in childish games. Of what use is this to the principle?"
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Emmon: "Who can recognize and know a bodhisattva who has destroyed all his notions?"
Master Nyuri :"Only one attained to the true Dharma can recognize him, only one trained can know him."
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Emmon: "Can such a man of the Great Vehicle also help others to awake?"
Master Nyuri : "How could it be possible for sun and moon not to shine, or a lamp, when lifted high, not to cast its light all round?"
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Emmon: "What skillful means will he employ?"
Master Nyuri : "Spontaneously right, without any skilful means."
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Emmon: "But if he does not use any skillful means, how can he be of benefit to others?"
Master Nyuri : "Something emerges and is named; a matter arises and is responded to. The empty heart neither calculates nor compares, and so there is no occasion to plan ahead."
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Emmon: "l hear that the Tathagata spent seven days in meditation before he devised his skillfuI means. So how can it be asserted that there is no deliberation or planning in the heart?"
Master Nyuri : 'As for the state of the Buddha, it cannot be grasped by thought, cannot be approached by understanding cannot be measured or learned."
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Emmon: "But how can Buddha lie?"
Master Nyuri : He speaks the truth; he does not deceive."
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Emmon: "Why do the sutras then state that he pondered for seven days before setting up skilful means. If you now state that he did not?"
Master Nyuri : The skilful means were set up for teaching purposes."
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Emmon: "From where do all the buddhas and their skilful means come?"
Master Nyuri : The buddhas are unoriginated, unborn; they are creations of the heart. Though there are skilful means for assisting all beings, the Dharma is fundamentally without a name."