Aspects of Mahayana Buddhism and its Relation to Hinayana c6.s8.1.2

c6.s8.1.2

Those who had reached the highest stage to which the practice of Hīnayāna doctrines can lead become Mahāyānists and ultimately Buddhas. In fact, it devotes quite a large space to show how the bhikṣus, Śāriputra, Kāśyapa, Subhūti, Mahākātyāyana, Mahāmaudgalyāyana, Pūrṇa Maitrāyaṇīputra, Ānanda, Rāhula, and others, and the bhikṣuṇīs, Mahāprajāpati Gautamī, Rāhulamātā, etc., who were held in high esteem by the Hīnayānists on account of their deep spiritual insight and high attainments, repented when they were old that they had to follow a lower course, as they did not possess the capacity to understand the covert teachings (*sandhābhāṣā*) of Buddha, and could not have the full benefit from his teachings. The statement is put into Śāriputra's mouth that he had been selected by the Teacher as the chief of Śrāvakas of his time. He is the eldest son born of the mouth of the Teacher (*jyeṣṭhaputra mukhajāta*), but yet he mourns for his lot that he attains Nirvāṇa (arahathood) only, and cannot become a Bodhisattva or Buddha. Then he curses himself that he has been found suitable by Buddha to be led through only a lower course of training (hīnena yānena niryātitah). The Teacher is represented as consoling him by saying that he can never have the intention of preaching different Yānas. He has preached only one Yāna. Though he first taught Hīnayāna to some, it was to take them ultimately to Mahāyāna and make them realise Buddhahood in due course².