Aspects of Mahayana Buddhism and its Relation to Hinayana c6.s8.1.4

c6.s8.1.4

The following beautiful simile used in the treatise shows in a concrete form the object which it has in view, viz., that every Hinayānist is to become a Buddha, though he may not strive for it or may think it beyond his power to attain it. A guide was leading a large number of men through an extensive forest to Mahāratnadvīpa. After travelling some distance, they became tired and alarmed, and wanted to return. The accomplished guide, quick in devising means (upāya-kuśala), brought into being a country by dint of his supernatural powers and asked them to take rest there. When the people were refreshed after rest, the guide caused the country to disappear, told them that it was only a magical creation of his, and that they should now proceed to Mahāratnadvīpa. The magical country is the Hinayānic Nirvāṇa, while the Mahāratnadvīpa is the ultimate goal (i.e., Buddhahood)². Such similes make the object of the treatise apparent. It does not deny the priority of Hinayāna, but it wants to relegate it to a position subservient to Mahāyāna, implying that the real teaching of Buddha was not Hinayāna but Mahāyāna.