Malcolm,Malcolm wrote: ↑Tue Feb 06, 2018 2:24 pmThat is a novel interpretation.Queequeg wrote: ↑Tue Feb 06, 2018 3:21 am
Ekayana in the Lotus means that even when the Buddha teaches the the three vehicles he is actually teaching the one Buddhayana. Those on the sravakayana are taught arhatship and are aiming for arhatship; pratyekabuddhayana are aiming for pratyekabuddhahood; bodhisattvayana are taught a particular ideal of Buddhahood culminating after 3 eons of practice and they aim for that particular conception of Buddhahood. The actual goal of the Ekayana is not known within these paths. The Buddha is preparing them all to receive the Buddhayana. The Buddhayana is inconceivable to anyone within the three vehicles, even the bodhisattvayana.
Can you say a bit more on this? Why is this a novel interpretation? If I recall correctly, in the Parable chapter the father promises three carts to his kids, deer (pratyekabuddha), ox (bodhisattva), and goat (sravaka). However, when they come outside all they find is single cart not pulled by any of the animals listed above, but rather a great white ox.
In your tradition, how would you describe this forth jeweled cart, the one pulled by a great white ox? Sorry to say, I remain rather ignorant of the specifics of the Tibetan traditions. (I also realize there are differing perspectives on what constitutes ekayana in Japanese traditions...)
jake