That's a difficult question, a_a, because it's likely VERY different from one geographical region to the next. Here in the states, where Buddhism has become incredibly Westernized, we're not usually privy to the leanings of how followers in one Buddhist school personally feel about the other two in the East.
Believe me, they got their own political and economical struggles with each other that just doesn't exist between Buddhist communities here in the West.
I
can say this, and that's the general notion that we all agree on the very basic principles of attaining individual liberation. What happens afterward is what constitutes the subject of debate.
My own personal views toward the Theravada and Mahayana schools are greatly appreciative, and I can totally understand where those in the Theravada schools are coming from when they feel that helping others toward liberation is rather............well...........extraneous. Achieving enlightenment and existing as an arhat is all that is needed individually, and the rest will take care of itself.
I can only say that it doesn't
quite jive with me. I understand it and appreciate it, but it doesn't feel like it's enough in regards to other sentient beings. That's where we differ philosophically.
But - that's OK.
I'm still waiting for an RF virtual food fight between all three schools, though, just to shake things up a bit. Lilithu and I started with brownies once, and that was pretty much it. LOL
Peace,
Mystic
