People are different. They eat different foods, like different people, listen to different music, and they need different teachings to help them grow. It is said that the Buddha gave 8,400 different teachings, according to the different inclinations and capacities of his disciples. In other words, there's something for everybody in Buddhism. You only have to find and practice those teachings that help you grow in wisdom and compassion. A good teacher can help with this a lot.
The teachings of the Buddha are often classified into The Three Vehicles (or Yanas) based primarily on the motivation of the practitioner. These vehicles are called:
Each of these styles of practice can be found in different countries -- the Hinayana in India and Southeast Asia, the Mahayana in China, Korea, Japan, and Vietnam. But Tibetan Buddhism is unique because combines all three vehicles into one progressive system of practice.
Motivation: Why Take the Trip?
Before we begin, let's think about why we begin spiritual practice in the first place. The fact that you are interested learning about Buddhism or meditation at all probably means that you are not always completely happy with the way things are going in your life -- otherwise you wouldn't be looking for something different.
Most people think that things outside of themselves are what will make them happy. If only we could get everything we want! We can't, of course, but even if we could -- would they really bring us LASTING happiness? We are like children who get a new toy for Christmas -- at first they are happy and content, but after a week or so (or less), the toy is under the bed somewhere, and now they are clamoring for a NEW toy. Since we are older, we should know better!
We all want to be happy, but we are always beings frustrated and disappointed by the things that happen in life. If we think about it carefully, we will see that the real reason we suffer so much is that we don't have any control over our minds. Our minds are so reactive -- always going up and down, from happy to sad, angry, jealous, greedy, proud, and back again. And again and again! We are completely caught up in a roller-coaster of our emotions and opinions. It's like being trapped in our own private soap opera that is always playing, and we don't know how to change the channel.
That's where Buddhism comes in....
Hinayana: the
"Foundation Vehicle"
The HINAYANA, or "Individual Vehicle", starts when we get fed up with our confusion and suffering, and we turn to meditation to offer us a "way out".
Meditation. Meditation helps us in two main ways. First, meditation calms the mind. Through meditation, you gradually stop being so attached to some things and so upset about other things. Instead, you learn to RELAX in the present moment, the "here and now". As the mind becomes calm, you become less reactive to the ups and downs of life, and begin to experience a stable happiness that doesn't depend on what happens outside of you. This is called shamatha (or shinay in Tibetan), which means "calm abiding".
Second, as the mind becomes calm, it also becomes clear, and you begin to see the world the way it is, instead of filtering everything through your own self-centered biases, emotions, and opinions. This clear seeing (called vipashyana, or lhagtong in Tibetan) leads to permanent freedom from suffering, a state of permanent happiness and peace known as NIRVANA.
Some people think that achieving nirvana means that you cease to exist, like snuffing out a candle flame. But this isn't correct. Nirvana just means that your SUFFERING ceases to exist. Through the practice of meditation and mindfulness, you become less driven by the negative emotions that are the cause of all our suffering (remember the Four Noble Truths?). Somebody who achieves this freedom is called an arhat. The Tibetan word for this is Drachompa or "Foe Destroyer." In other words, this person has overcome the real enemy of our happiness, the negative emotions.
It's not easy, and it doesn't happen overnight. It takes time to change the habits of a lifetime, not to mention changing the habits of MANY lifetimes! But the Buddha said it is possible, and he showed us how to do it.
This process doesn't just happen on the meditation cushion, of course. We have to use everything we do in life as part of our practice. As we struggle with our negative emotions and bad habits, we have to stop doing things that make them stronger and that trap us more tightly in our net of suffering. This especially means being mindful and living a life of not harming others.
Learn More: See It's Easier Than You Think, by Sylvia Boorstein. On Buddhist meditation, you might start with The Experience of Insight by Joseph Goldstein, and A Still Forest Pool by Achaan Cha. Walpola Rahula summarizes Hinayana philosophy in What the Buddha Taught.
Developing Compassion. Through practicing meditation, we gradually develop more calmness and happiness in our lives. As we become less preoccupied with our own "stuff", we gradually realize that other beings are in the same boat that we are, and we become more sensitive to their suffering. Like us, they want to be happy, but they are caught up in negativity and confusion and only create more and more suffering for themselves and others. (And sometimes for us!) The more clearly we see this, the more compassion we have, and the more we want to help others.
When our compassion for others' suffering becomes so great that we want to attain enlightenment in order to benefit others and to free them from suffering, then we have entered the path of the MAHAYANA or "Great Vehicle." It is the "Great" vehicle because we are concerned with others instead of just being focused on our own happiness.
The Mahayana is also "Great" because our goal is the complete development of our human potential, the state known as enlightenment (Bodhi). "Enlightenment" here means more than just the personal peace of nirvana. It means to completely develop our potential for compassion, wisdom, and the ability to benefit others.
A few terms: The WISH to achieve enlightenment in order to benefit others is called bodhicitta, "the Mind of Enlightenment." A PERSON who takes on the goal of becoming enlightened in order to liberate all beings from suffering is called a bodhisattva. Someone who ACHIEVES complete enlightenment is called a BUDDHA.
Practicing Compassion. The way we get to enlightenment is by practicing the SIX PERFECTIONS (Paramitas). In daily life, we strengthen our compassion and help others by practicing generosity, ethical behavior, and patience. We benefit others in whatever way we can. But ultimately, the best way to help others be free from suffering is to become enlightened ourselves. Enlightenment comes from wisdom, which develops through meditation. All of this depends on our own effort.
Paradoxically, we find that working for the benefit of others is also the quickest way to dissolve our own self-centered negative emotions and attain happiness for ourselves. In fact, without the motivation of bodhicitta, it is impossible to attain enlightenment.
- Learn More: A Flash of Lightning in the Dark of Night by H.H. the Dalai Lama discusses bodhicitta and the six perfections. See also Dharma Paths by Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche. Start Where You Are by Pema Chodron has a detailed explanation of the Tibetan meditative practice of Mind Training (lojong), which focuses on training the mind in compassion and wisdom. See also Loving-kindness: A revolutionary approach to happiness by Sharon Salzberg for the Theravada approach to developing compassion.
Vajrayana: the "Diamond Vehicle"
The third vehicle is the VAJRAYANA, or "Diamond Vehicle." It is really a branch of the Mahayana, but it is often listed as a third vehicle. The goal of the Vajrayana is complete enlightenment, like the Mahayana, but the Vajrayana is a "quick path" to enlightenment and contains many powerful methods of meditation. Practicing Vajrayana depends on a firm foundation in the first two vehicles.
Sacred Outlook. Through practicing compassion and developing wisdom in the Mahayana, we slowly transform ourselves into Buddhas over many lifetimes. The Vajrayana is a quicker path because it is based on the recognition that the basic nature of our mind IS ALREADY enlightened, at least potentially. This inherent potential for enlightenment that exists in all sentient beings is called BUDDHA NATURE. This inherently pure potential is undefiled by the negativity of our ordinary mind and perceptions, and is the source of all the potential qualities of enlightenment.
Recognizing our own fundamental awakened nature gives rise to tremendous confidence, removing doubts and low self-esteem. We feel inspired and empowered to undertake the spiritual journey. Seeing the enlightened nature of all other beings around us naturally changes the way we perceive the world, so that our lives become filled with compassion and joy.
To help recognize this Buddha Nature, in the Vajrayana we perform ritual practices called sadhanas, where we identify with the qualities of enlightenment through visualization, mantras, and meditation, visualizing our ordinary body, speech, and mind as the body, speech, and mind of Buddha.
Learn More: Vajrayana Buddhism is better learned from experience than from reading. In fact, reading about these subjects prematurely can interfere with your meditation progress later. However, there are some books that are useful introductions to the Vajrayana. Two of these include An Introduction to Tantra, by Lama Thubten Yeshe; and Heart Treasure of the Enlightened Ones, by Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche.