A story widens its membership when it gives a real part to people who cannot do its core work. Mahayana, "large vehicle", Buddhism made nirvana a joint venture: a few monks did the hard practice, and ordinary people advanced by supporting them. The pooled support became capital for caravans no single donor could fund, so believers invested "directly in salvation, but indirectly in trade." For us the supporter's part has to count as real progress, not a lesser seat; that reading is Clay's.

Evidence 4 passages

• groundsSource document

  The ordinary person living an everyday life could inch closer to the ultimate goal just by helping and supporting the monks.

• groundsSource document

  It was a joint venture, led by a bodhisattva steering a boat that was carrying many ordinary folks.

• groundsSource document

  monasteries directed their capital into grand enterprises requiring more money than any one individual could afford.

• backsSource document

  Through the monasteries, therefore, ordinary Buddhists could invest their wealth directly in salvation, but indirectly in trade.

Where the agents stand

No agent has recorded a position on this claim.