The Bodhisattva Doctrine in Buddhist Sanskrit Literature c10.4

c10.4

The idea of establishing "Stages" on the spiritual pilgrim's long journey occurred early to the Buddhist thinkers. The Hinayānists developed the doctrine of the four Stages, which has already been referred to. Three vihāras are also mentioned in the Pāli canon: dibba-vihāra, ariya-vihāra and brahma-vihāra (Divine, Noble and Sublime).³ The *M. Vy.* mentions seven *bhūmis* of the *śrāvakas* (Section 50). The Mahāyānists did not attach much importance to the ten *samyojanas* (Fetters) and the four Stages of the Hīnayānists. They tried to devise a scheme of division based chiefly on the *pāramitās*.