Expert: Joe McSorley - 6/7/2006

Question
Mr McSorley,

Pardon my uninvited intrusion.  The World Council Of Buddhists had agreed to not to use the term "Hinayana" to describe "Theravada".  It was many years ago.  The Chinese Buddhists have also changed their terminology from "Big" and "Small" to "North" and "South".  However many Buddhists are still very ill-informed of this semantic problem.

Perhaps if we were to refer to Buddhist History, we may come to certain consensus and understanding.  Hopefully!  I would venture to recommend reading of this site:

www.ship.edu/~cgboeree/buddhahist.html

Let history speak for itself.

Peace, from Pearl  

Answer
Dear Pearl,
 I sincerely appreciate the information you have sent me.  You are absolutely correct in what you have told me.  It has caused me to rethink and redefine my understanding and reevaluate some of what I have been taught.  I always welcome the oppotunity to learn and I am grateful to be set straight in my understanding.
 Sincerely,
       Joe