Hinayana

The terms Hinayana (Lesser Vehicle or Modest Vehicle) and Mahayana (Greater Vehicle or Vast Vehicle) originated in The Prajnaparamita Sutras (The Sutras on Far-Reaching Discriminating Awareness, The Perfection of Wisdom Sutras). They are a rather derogatory pair of words,...

A variety of forms of Buddhism developed as people in the different lands it reached emphasized one or another aspect of the teachings. Here is a general description of some of the major forms found in Southeast Asia, China and Tibet.

A brief picture of Buddhism in Asia and the West.

This article explains the various non-conflicting contextual presentations of the Buddha’s life, and teaches us how these can be practically applied to our spiritual path.

List of the Five Pathway Minds In A Filigree of Realizations (mNgon-rtogs rgyan, Abhisamayalamkara), Maitreya explains the stages for making progress on the spiritual path to reach liberation and enlightenment. For all practitioners, progress is in terms of the five pathway...

Linear and Nonlinear Models of Progress We all wish to make progress on the spiritual path, but because we have unrealistic ideas about how progress happens, we are frustrated. Many want instant and consistent results, and that does not happen. Consequently, following an...

A short introduction to how Buddhism spread from its beginnings in northern India to become the major belief system across much of Asia.