By examining these early Mahāyāna Sūtras and Śāstras, and also early non-Mahāyāna Pāli nikāyas, abhidhammas and commentaries, I argue that anārambaṇā maitrīkaruṇā became unique to Mahāyāna because of the fundamental shift of goal from mainstream Buddhism; why śrāvakas do not practise anārambaṇā maitrīkaruṇā is not originally because of lack of non-conceptual wisdom or lack of understanding of the emptiness of Dharma, but because for śrāvakas and mainstream Buddhists, maitrī and karuṇā are not essential in attaining their bodhi. Śrāvakas are those who learn and uphold the teachings taught by the Buddha by actualising the true nature of dharma dharmatāṃ sākṣātkurvanti.