These are the the three main schools of Buddhism. Hinayana(little vehicle), Mahayana (greater vehicle) and Vajrayana (diamond vehicle). The following is a quote adapted from Ponlop Rinpoche's talks, in which he summarizes the schools quite well, breaking them down into essentially two: Hinayana and Mahayana.
Two Main Vehicles So, essentially, the 3 schools are built upon each other. Hinayana, Theravada are the cornerstone practice. Mahayana are built upon them, and subsequently Vajrayana. Check out the Noble Eightfold Path and see if you can actually witness how it is built up in a similar way, from 1st to 8th.
Hinayana: This part describes the nature of the second vehicle. To summarize this text, it is essentially describing the 2 first noble truths. Life is suffering, we suffer because we desire. The recognition of suffering is the "renunciation," and only then can you embrace compassion and open up to an alternative path, the path to enlightenment, or nirvana. So, we have suffering and its causes, nirvana and its causes.
Vajrayana (Special Mahayana) This school can be considered a specialized form of Mahayana. Dzogchen, Tantric Yoga, Dream Yoga are present here. This is considered a more in depth form, where the teaching and the mindfulness, the compassion is generated and utilized for specific techniques (Mantras, etc). This originated centrally in Tibet, and is also considered in most respects Tibetan Buddhism. The terminology here is more technical, so pay mind to the underlined texts are they are the basics and the essentials.
In my understanding, renunciation is a very general term for the overall recognition of suffering. It's seeing the nature of suffering in multiple aspects. Personally, relationally, globally, universally. The meaning becomes deeper and deeper with your practice. As you begin to understand attachment - and as you develop a capacity for nondual or transpersonal perception, the ability to recognize suffering is greater. Ken Wilber mentions it in the simple statement: "Hurts more, bothers you less." The ego is bothered and annoyed less, yet the ability to experience the suffering of the world is tremendously greater. A dear friend of mine told me that as a funeral procession passed by her, she began to cry without warning. This is a more concrete example, yes, but the meaning is there: Renunciation is a process that is always unfolding as you unfold into "True Nature" or "True Self."
Since pleasure brings suffering too. Is it wrong to enjoy things that are pleasurable? Would that be ingratitude? Or attatchment? bb Delfynasa
When the sun is out, enjoy the warmth, when it goes, don't chase it Yeah, I definitely think enjoying things that are pleasurable is fine. Just acceptance of what is. But we can also easily become attached, so it's good not to over indulge in anything in particular.
