Uchiha Shin now seemed to understand the Buddha's intentions somewhat.
"Even if most people would not seek to save all living beings, isn't that what the Buddhist followers wish to do? Many disciples of Buddhism are willing to sacrifice themselves to save all beings. Why does the Buddha not allow them to do so?"
Uchiha Shin was still puzzled.
The Buddha said, "You are not of our Buddhist order and do not understand Mahayana Buddhism. Though Mahayana teachings may seem easy to understand, putting them into practice is not necessarily so simple. Many issues within them remain unresolved, so they cannot be implemented rashly. That is why I do not advocate it."
"Moreover, Hinayana Buddhism did not emerge without cause. It is not the thought of one man alone, but something that developed within Buddhism."
"Hinayana Buddhism is highly useful for ordinary living beings to cultivate. That is why I have Buddhist disciples focus on Hinayana teachings, so they may teach ordinary people to practice them. Though its benefits cannot compare to Mahayana Buddhism, it can still lessen their suffering."
Uchiha Shin listened quietly from the side. So that was the Buddha's reason.
"Then when does the Buddha intend for Buddhist disciples to focus on Mahayana Buddhism?"
Tathagata fell silent for a moment. "When the time comes, they will naturally cultivate it."
Uchiha Shin frowned. Did that mean waiting until after Golden Cicada journeyed west for the scriptures?
After Golden Cicada reincarnated as Tang Xuanzang, the scriptures he would obtain in the west would be Mahayana teachings. Did that mean they would only begin spreading them among the people then?
The main reason the Buddha was unwilling to let his Buddhist disciples cultivate Mahayana Buddhism was that many of its issues remained unresolved, so he was unwilling to proceed with