"Scholars such as E. Lamotte and E. Conze have speculated that the tension between the saffron robbed Elders of the monastic community and the white garbed leaders of the Buddhist lay community, was one factor in the historical development of the Mahayana. Only a century after the passing away of the Lord Buddha, at or around the council at Vaishali there was a schism between the Sthaviras or Elders and the Mahasanghikas or adherents of the Greater Assembly, which included many leaders who were not monks. Whereas the traditions preserved among the Sthaviras or elder monks evolved into the eighteen schools of Hinayana Buddhism, which asserted that in order to attain liberation from the cycle of rebirth one must first be reborn as a male and second become a monk, the Mahasanghikas held the enlightenment was open to everyone, male or female, monk or lay-person, because each individual possessed an inner disposition to enlightenment"
http://www.angelfire.com/vt/vajranatha/ngakpa.html
2008-09-26
Lecture on the Ngakpa Tradition
(2007-04-17)At his lecture last month at the Latse Library in New York City, Dr. Nida Chenagtsang, Director of the Ngak-Mang Institute (NMI) in Tibet, clearly enjoyed telling listeners that "Tibetan women are recognized as one the largest contributors to the Ngakpa tradition. . . Highest spiritual realization can be achieved by both men and women." Nida referred to this as "equal realization," and examined a host of other liberal beliefs and practices that typify the unique Buddhist tradition known as "Ngakpa."http://nyima108.blogspot.com/2007/04/lecture-on-ngakpa-tradition.html
http://www.cbs.columbia.edu/weblog/2007/01/spiritual_equal.html
Dharmadata - Buddhist Text Library
"Even though that which is usually called "mind"is widely esteemed and much discussed,
Still it is not understood or it is wrongly understood
or it is understood in a one-sided manner only.
Since it is not understood correctly, just as it is in itself,
There comes into existence inconceivable numbers
of philosophical ideas and assertions.
Furthermore, since ordinary individuals do not understand it,
They do not recognize their own nature,
And so they continue to wander among the six destinies of rebirth within the three worlds, and thus experience suffering.
Therefore, not understanding your own mind is a very grievous fault.
-- Padmasambhava"
http://www.dharmadata.org/index.php
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