Hinayana Buddhism (Buddhism)

One of three branches of Buddhism, emphasizing the transcendence of experience in extreme realism, this is the early Buddhism taught by disciples of Gautama Buddha. The Hinayana goal of becoming an arhat is sometimes said to be less worthy and compassionate and more selfish than the mahayana path aiming at full Buddhahood. For example, Zen refers to Daijo Zen (great vehicle) and Saijojo Zen (supremely excellent vehicle) as being superior, in that they are said to follow more closely the highest teachings of Buddha in relation to concern for other beings. However, if the concern of the arhat is seen as the welfare and benefit of this world, much of this criticism may be seen not to apply. In fact, many of the various hinayana traditions are derived from mahayana. Geographically, this branch of Buddhism may be related to Burma, Cambodia, Laos, Sri Lanka and Thailand, although some devotees are also found in Bangladesh, India and Viet Nam and as emigrants in the west from any of these countries.

Various practices of meditation are used to transform body, speech and mind so that the trikaya – three bodies of Buddha – can be realized, and manifest reality reveal supreme reality. The first, transformation of the physical body, is through the practice of controlled bodily postures and gestures (mudra), resulting in nirmanakaya. Second, transformation of speech, is through the reciting of mantra, the sacred sounds, resulting in sambhogakaya. Thirdly, transformation of the mind, is through the practice of concentration (samadhi), resulting in dharmakaya. In Shojo Zen, the term for the state of consciousness realized through meditation is referred to as mushinjo, a condition of cutting off all sense perceptions and of no thought when the mind is totally empty. Continuing in this condition of non-consciousness until physical death is said to ensure separation from the cycle of existence so that there is no further rebirth.

The third form of zazen according to the classification of zen practice into five categories by Kuei-feng Tsung-mi.