What is the difference among the three vehicles namely Mahāyāna, Hīnayāna, Vajrayāna?

General Buddhism | 佛法研讨
1

Disciple’s limited understanding as follow:

  1. Mahāyāna Great vehicle 大乘 = For bodhisattva 菩萨 who vows to liberate all other sentient beings over countless lifetimes till full Buddhahood.
  2. Hīnayāna Small vehicle 小乘 = For śrāvaka 聲聞 or Patreyaka Buddha 缘觉 who seek for self-liberation over countless lifetimes till full Buddhahood.
  3. Vajrayāna Esoteric or Mystery vehicle 密乘 or 密教 or 密宗 = ?

Vajrayāna Esoteric or Mystery vehicle was mentioned in 菩提道次第廣論講記 第十九卷 B面 “… 三昧師就是密教當中的老師，他為什麼這個地方要特別指密教的老師呢？…”

2

Venerable Ru Jun’s discouse is relevant to this topic:

大乘與小乘行者的差別．福智－真如老師《廣海明月》．如俊法師導讀