Hinayana Buddhism

Hinayana Buddhism, sometimes referred to as Theravada Buddhism, is one of the two main branches of Buddhism, the other being Mahayana. Hinayana translates as “lesser vehicle”, a term coined by Mahayana Buddhists to describe their own path as higher.

Hinayana Buddhism closely follows the original teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, the historical Buddha. It focuses on individual liberation from suffering through the pursuit of personal enlightenment, known as arhats. Monasticism plays a central role, and followers strive to adhere to a strict code of ethical behavior and meditative practices.

Theravada Buddhism is mainly practiced in Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos. He places great emphasis on the Pali Canon, a collection of early Buddhist scriptures. Although it may be considered more conservative in its approach compared to Mahayana, it remains a vital and revered tradition, valued for its preservation of the Buddha’s original teachings and monastic discipline.

Hinayana Buddhism

Historical Facts	Hinayana Buddhism
Means	Small Vehicles
Began to grow	Around 250 BC
Compared with	Mahayana Buddhism
Primarily practiced	Southern Asia

Introduction

Hinayana is a Sanskrit phrase that literally means “small or inadequate vehicle.” Hinayana Buddhism is one of the orthodox and conservative schools of Buddhism. This word refers to the Śravakayana and Pratyekabuddhayana paths as a whole. The phrase first appeared in the first or second century. Hinayana has often been compared to Mahayana, meaning “great vehicle”.

Hinayana

Around 250 BC, Hinayana Buddhism began to develop. Smaller vehicles are often known as abandoned vehicles or defective cars. They adhere to the original teachings of the Buddha, or the Teachings of the Elders. One of the two main streams of Buddhism, the other being Mahayana. Teachings aimed at attaining arhat status After the death of Shakyamuni Buddha, the Buddhist order went through numerous schisms and eventually split into eighteen or twenty schools. These monks were concerned with maintaining the Buddha’s teachings as they understood them and were committed to doctrinal research. Adherents of the Hinayana commonly refer to their doctrine as Theravada (Teaching of the Elders). Theravada Buddhism is a Hinayana sect. Hinayana is also known as Southern Buddhism because it is primarily practiced in South Asian countries (Sri Lanka, Thailand, Burma, Cambodia, and Laos).

Belief in Hinayan

According to its proponents, the Hinayana represents the Buddha’s original, pure teachings. His ideas are mostly based on sutras said to have been handed down by the Buddha himself. Hinayana teachings analyze the human predicament, the nature of existence, and the constitution of the personality and show strategies for dealing with suffering. The ultimate goal is to be freed from the suffering of a completed cycle of reincarnation and attain nirvana. Hinayana believes in salvation by works and that each person is responsible for his own salvation. Hinyana did not believe in the Buddha’s divinity. They adhere to the original teachings of the Buddha, or the Teachings of the Elders. Hinayana rejects idol worship and seeks individual redemption through self-discipline and meditation. Hinayana scholars employed Pali, the language of the masses. The Tripitakas serve as the basis for the Hinayana Buddhist scriptures, which are written in Pali. The Hinayana emphasizes righteous action and the rule of karma.

Hinayana attitude to ten away

The Hinayana position on the ten far-reaching goals is as follows:

• (i) Generosity
• (ii) Self-discipline
• (iii) Patience
• (iv) Persistence
• (v) Be true to your word
• (vi) Wisdom
• (vii) Waiver
• (viii) Resolution
• (ix) Love
• (x) Equity

Hinayana scriptures

The Tripitakas serve as the basis for the Hinayana scriptures, which are written in Pali. Hinayana Buddhism was centered in Nalanda and Vallabhi. The Hinayana sect was supported by Ashoka. Theravada is one of the subsects of the Hinayana.

Hinayana schools

The oldest Hinayana school is Sthaviravada, often known as Theravada or the Doctrine of the Elders. Its philosophical Sanskrit counterpart is known as Vaibhasika, or the concept that sustains the existence of all things, physical and mental. Vaibhasika gradually emerged from another Hinayana school called Sautantrika, which is more critical in nature. The Sarvastivada school is sometimes known as Vaibhashika. The prominent Buddhist thinker Vasubandhu of the 4th or 5th century, before his conversion to the Mahayana Buddhist tradition, recorded this text in his Abhidharmakosa. Consequently, Mahayana thought was influenced by elements of the Sarvastivada school. The name Sautantrika comes from his reliance on the sutras, or words, of the Buddha and his denial of the authority of the canonical Abhidhamma. Although events (dharmas) have only a temporary existence, Sautrntikas argued that there is a transmigrating substratum of consciousness that contains the seeds of kindness present in every human being.

Conclusion

Hinayana (lower vehicle), meaning that these teachings could only reach a limited number of people and could not lead to the ultimate goal of enlightenment. The name Hinayana was considered derogatory, so these schools avoided using it. Hinayana Buddhism began to spread in 250 BC. A cheaper car is sometimes known as an abandoned vehicle or a defective car. They adhere to the original teachings of the Buddha, or the Teachings of the Elders.

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