http://www.buddhanet.net/ebooks_ms.htm
<pg 17>
While the Hinayana Arhat accumulates meritorious karma for his own salvation
through following and practising the teachings of the Buddha, he also serves others
though his capacity to do so is limited. The Mahayana Bodhisattva, on the other hand,
relentlessly carries out his mission of universal salvation, transferring his vast merits
to the less fortunate ones so that they too may enjoy the fruits of such merits. Thus the
Bodhisattva Ideal brings about much hope for the down-trodden and provides a noble
goal to those who are seriously on the Buddha’s path. The Arhat ideal may not sound
as noble as that of the Bodhisattva but it does not necessarily mean that the
Mahayana is in any way superior to the Hinayana practice. Both are ideal paths that
lead to enlightenment and those who are aspiring to become Arhats are not
necessarily selfish since Arhatship cannot be attained if there is even the slightest
tinge of selfishness left in his being. A true Buddhist will not indulge in glorifying his
path of practice, he should realise that without the Hinayana there can be no
Mahayana path.
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I was intrigued after reading this.... hope this can enlighten people