In contrast, the Hosso sect of Buddhism teaches sanjo-setsu, a doctrine which teaches that different vehicles can be used to attain a state of satori, emphasizing the distinction between Hinayana (vehicle of the hearers or solitary-Buddha vehicle; Buddhists whose primary concern is their own enlightenment) and Mahayana Buddhism (enlightenment-bound vehicle).
それに対し法相宗では、小乗（声聞乗・縁覚乗）・大乗（菩薩乗）の区別を重んじ、それぞれ悟りの境地が違うとする三乗説を説く。