Royal wrote:flipflop wrote:It is in Thailand (Hinayana), Cheers
Theravada in Thailand......... (Just splitting hairs. Don't need no bad Karma...... & coming back as a politician).
Yup, the Thais call it Theravada, but the Mahayana (Greater Vehicle) Buddhists of Japan, China, Tibet call it "Hinayana" (Smaller Vehicle - lesser vehicle). They see the Theravada as deficient as those who follow this path are concerned with their own enlightenment solely - no Bodhisattvas (Buddhas to be) saving the greater flock from the Wheel of Life etc. "Hinayana" is seen as perjorative by Theraveda Buddhists. Also, strict Theravada is a bit too ascetic for most Tibetans, some monks enjoy a good swally and a pagga now and again.
Mahayana - collectivist
Hinayana - individualist
Actually, most Tibetan schools, including the Gelugpa and their Bodisattva of Compassion (the Dalai Lama - being the earthly embodiment of Chen Resig/Avalokiteshvara) follow three strands - Theravada/Mahayana/Vajrayana (Tantric), with a healthy dose of native folklore and Hindu mysticism thrown in for good measure.
Cheers