Buddhist-Meditation-Systematic-and-Practical

expedient means proceeding from the bodhicitta." It is
proof to say that if sunyata is recognized as complete,
then merit is much increased, compared with the
Hinayana where merit is less, since sunyata is
incompletely understood.
So the nature of sunyata is the same, but the area which
sunyata pervades, as well as the method and function
deriving from sunyata are much greater in the
Mahayana. While we must differ from Tsong-khapa
regarding the depth of voidness to be experienced in the
two vehicles, still we agree with his estimate of their
merits.
ii. Tsong-khapa says that the Hinayanist has not done as
many good deeds as the bodhisattva, so the merit of the
former is smaller. Why has he not done so many good
deeds? The great Dharma-master should admit that this
is because his Hinayana wisdom is not sufficient for
him to see the necessity of so much action. That this is
true, we may see from certain situations requiring the
exercise of evil as skillful means: the Hinayanist would
not be able to do that, and the many, therefore, would
not be saved. Suppose that a lady passionately implored
the love of a Buddhist—a strict Hinayana follower
could only give her a morally elevating discourse
(which might or might not be accepted) but a
bodhisattva who is already accomplished in sunyata and
in Hinayana teaching might acquiesce to her demands,
teaching and converting her in the process.
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