Buddhist-Meditation-Systematic-and-Practical

terms "Three-yanas-in-one." This stresses that the three
are continuous from one to the other; they are three
stages of one path. In truth, there are neither three yanas
separately, nor is there only one. To think of each as
complete in itself is to fragment the unity of the Dharma,
and to talk of only one might imply the claimed
superiority of one particular school's doctrine over
others. We shall discuss this in detail later.
In our case, we have three-in-one, which seem separate.
Why are they separate? Because of the different stages
of meditators and the degrees of practice suitable for
them. Thus some are skilled, some unskilled, some
neophytes and some experts; this the Buddha knew and
arranged his teachings accordingly, saying: first take
this (Hinayana) and after that comes Mahayana, and
from that go on to the Vajrayana.
Why are the three united? They are so because the
Buddha taught many teachings over a long period, and
these collectively are called "the Triyana." Without
seeing truly how they are related, people will be
confounded. These yanas are not two ways or three, but
follow from one another in a certain sequence forming
different levels of the same path. And so, for these
reasons, we should try to see the unity of the three, and
unite these three-in-one in our practice.
Someone might at this point object, saying, "Why not
talk about the five yanas?" In answer we should say that
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