Aspects of Mahayana Buddhism and its Relation to Hinayana c6.s8.1.3

c6.s8.1.3

The Puṇḍarika does not disappoint the Hinayānists, for it holds out to them the hope that they will become Buddha provided they perform the duties enjoined upon a Bodhisattva. As they have already attained the qualities pertaining to arhatood, it would not be difficult for them to perform the pāramitās, develop Bodhicitta, worship and serve the innumerable Tathāgatas, build stūpas, etc., and thus ultimately reach Buddhahood. The treatise, proceeding further, predicts regarding each of the noted bhiksus the time when he will become a Buddha, what name he will bear, and over which lokadhātu he will preside¹. It also states that the bhiksus, who had become old and decrepit and had therefore no aspiration (sprhā) for Buddhahood or for powers pertaining to it, will not be left aside. They are like a poor man who had long been separated from his father and was not aware of his vast wealth. He would not believe that he would inherit this wealth. Similarly these Śrāvakas, though devoid of desire or energy for attaining the glory of Buddhahood, will still obtain it as their birthright.² There is also a reference to another class of bhiksus who will, in future, be Śrāvakas, be satisfied with their parinirvāna and not aspire to Bodhisattvahood. They will be reborn in the lokadhātus where Śākyamuni Buddha will appear under other names, and where they will develop under his influence a desire for Tathāgatajñāna and ultimately win it¹.