Forms of Ekayana

[Zsolt Hadházi]

When I think of One Vehicle my concept of it is fairly different from the common understanding of it. Those who used the idea of a single vehicle before within Mahayana meant a singular path leading ultimately to the teaching they were representing. It is then actually a way to subjugate other teachings. My view is that while there is only one path to enlightenment the different doctrines and traditions are all individually bearers of that one vehicle. We could say this is a horizontal one vehicle instead of a vertical one.

What do you say?

[Jikan Anderson]

I understand Ekayana in the context of the two truths.  There are provisional things to say that are helpful, and there is the absolute truth.  Provisionally, it appears that there are multiple and various teachings that suit different purposes, needs, times, and places.  Ultimately, all these reflect the single enlightened intent of the Buddhas.  Hence, 'one vehicle.' 

This gets a bit more complicated if you consider this in two related contexts: 

*Chih-i's doctrine of the middle way between the two truths, the subtle way that in a sense integrates them

*Ch'an and related traditions on Buddhanature (such as Wonhyo's teaching that Dharmakaya is a ninth consciousness that draws beings toward itself)

I'll leave it at that for now, but that is my own understanding of what Ekayana means.  I'd like to know what others think about it.

Jikan

[Tatsuo]

I think this is the point where Nichirenshu differs from Tendaishu.
Whereas Tendaishu would argue, that many different practices are
valid, because they are all part of the one vehicle, Nichirenshu would
reject any practice based on pre-Lotus Sutra teachings, because they
are not part of the one true vehicle and are nothing more than
expedient means/upaya.

On Mar 3, 2:44 pm, Jikan Anderson <jikanander...@gmail.com> wrote:
> I understand Ekayana in the context of the two truths.  There are
> provisional things to say that are helpful, and there is the absolute
> truth.  Provisionally, it appears that there are multiple and various
> teachings that suit different purposes, needs, times, and places.
> Ultimately, all these reflect the single enlightened intent of the Buddhas.
> Hence, 'one vehicle.'
>
> This gets a bit more complicated if you consider this in two related
> contexts:
>
> *Chih-i's doctrine of the middle way between the two truths, the subtle way
> that in a sense integrates them
>
> *Ch'an and related traditions on Buddhanature (such as Wonhyo's teaching
> that Dharmakaya is a ninth consciousness that draws beings toward itself)
>
> I'll leave it at that for now, but that is my own understanding of what
> Ekayana means.  I'd like to know what others think about it.
>
> Jikan
>