Three yanas leading from the origin

Three Outer Yanas Leading from the Origin (Wyl. kun 'byung 'dren pa'i theg pa gsum) — the name given to the three causal vehicles of characteristics in the context of the nine yana categorization. They are:

• the shravaka vehicle,
• pratyekabuddha vehicle and
• bodhisattva vehicle.

Why are these three called ‘vehicles leading from the origin’? It is because they lead us along the path to the result of liberation from samsara by abandoning all the actions (karma) and destructive emotions (kleshas) which are the cause or ‘origin’ [of suffering].