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The Three Yana - List

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Yana, usually translated as vehicle are a type of teaching that may carry you along the path to enlightenment in Buddhism.

The Three Yana - ListThe Three Yana - ListThe Three Yana - ListThe Three Yana - List
The Three Yana - List

Yana have been mentioned in various scripts from about 1500BCE when then were mentioned in the Rig Veda, an ancient Indian collection of Vedic Sanskrit hymns (sūktas), one of the four sacred canonical Hindu texts (śruti) known as the Vedas.
The Buddha also prescribed Yānas for Buddhism probably based on this existing world view. In the beginning of Buddhist history there was the Śrāvakayāna Yana and the Pratyekabuddhayāna Yana. Buddhism continued in this state till the rise of the Mahāyāna sect, then we then encounter the Bodhisattvayāna Yana. Thus there were three Yānas in Buddhism at about 300 A.D. These are vehicles or different types of the way to travel the path.
The vehicle or yana is an expression or metaphor for the spiritual practice to be used on a path or journey.
There are two classifications of yana one expressed in early texts and one maturing after the rise of the Vajrayāna which then became a fourth yana. The list expressed here is the first classification which describe three paths to liberation that culminate as one of the three types of Buddha. (See the link below for three schools for the second type).

The Three Yana

01. Śrāvakayāna or the the Shravaka yana. (Disciple)

The Hearer vehicle: The basic teachings, which are path that meets the goals of someone who achieves liberation after listening to the teachings of a samyaksambuddha (fully enlightened buddha). These basic trainings include trainings such as the four noble truths.
(Generally followed by the Theravada tradition, see link to Buddhist sects below)

02. Pratyekabuddhayāna or the the Pratyekabuddha yana. (Solitary Buddha).

The pratyekabuddha is an individual who independently achieves liberation without the aid of teachers or guides and without teaching others to do the same. Oftentimes mentioned as private or solitary Buddha they may remain in seclusion. Pratyekabuddhas may give moral teachings but do not bring others to enlightenment. They leave no sangha as a legacy to carry on the Dhamma.
These teachings are an expansion of Śrāvakayāna.

03. Bodhisattvayāna or the Bodhisattva yana. (Enlighted One)

The bodhisattva attains liberation and wishes to benefit as many beings as possible. A bodhisattva who has accomplished this goal is called a samyaksambuddha. A samyaksambuddha can establish the Dharma and lead disciples to enlightenment. These teach on buddha nature and the six perfections.
(Generally followed by the Mahāyāna tradition, see link to Buddhist sects below)

Synonyms/tags: the three vehicles, three schools of Buddhism




Or, per your interest, look at other related links;

  The four noble truths.
  The six perfections.
  Sects of Buddhism

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