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<pg 17>

While the Hinayana Arhat accumulates meritorious karma for his own salvation

through following and practising the teachings of the Buddha, he also serves others

though his capacity to do so is limited. The Mahayana Bodhisattva, on the other hand,

relentlessly carries out his mission of universal salvation, transferring his vast merits

to the less fortunate ones so that they too may enjoy the fruits of such merits. Thus the

Bodhisattva Ideal brings about much hope for the down-trodden and provides a noble

goal to those who are seriously on the Buddha’s path. The Arhat ideal may not sound

as noble as that of the Bodhisattva but it does not necessarily mean that the

Mahayana is in any way superior to the Hinayana practice. Both are ideal paths that

lead to enlightenment and those who are aspiring to become Arhats are not

necessarily selfish since Arhatship cannot be attained if there is even the slightest

tinge of selfishness left in his being. A true Buddhist will not indulge in glorifying his

path of practice, he should realise that without the Hinayana there can be no

Mahayana path.

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I was intrigued after reading this.... hope this can enlighten people