Aspects of Mahayana Buddhism and its Relation to Hinayana c5.s3.3

c5.s3.3

Before we proceed to ascertain the approximate time of the emergence of Mahāyāna, we must determine the special characteristics which distinguish Mahāyāna from Hīnayāna. Generally speaking, Mahāyānism is associated with
(i) the conception of the Bodhisattva,
(ii) the practice of the Pāramitās,
(iii) the development of Bodhicitta,
(iv) the ten stages (bhūmi) of spiritual development,
(v) the goal of Buddhahood,
(vi) the conception of Trikāya, and
(vii) the conception of Dharmaśūnyatā or Dharmasamatā or Tathatā.