The Differences between Hinayana and Mahayana

Mahayana and Hinayana Buddhism, the two main branches of Buddhism, differ in their philosophical and doctrinal approaches.

Mahayana Buddhism, often referred to as the “Great Wagon”, emerged around the 1st century CE and emphasizes universal compassion and the desire to attain Buddhahood for the benefit of all sentient beings. It recognizes the vast pantheon of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, enlightened beings who set aside their own liberation to help others.

In contrast, Hinayana Buddhism, sometimes called Theravada, is considered a “lesser vehicle” and adheres closely to the original teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, emphasizing personal enlightenment (Arhatship) as the primary goal. It tends to have a more conservative interpretation of Buddhist scriptures and practices.

While these branches have significant philosophical differences, they share basic Buddhist concepts such as the Four Noble Truths, the Eightfold Path, and the concepts of karma and rebirth. Both Mahayana and Hinayana Buddhism contributed significantly to the development and spread of Buddhism in Asia, enriching the spiritual landscape with their unique perspectives.

Differences between Hinayana and Mahayana

Historical Facts	Mahayana and Hinayana Buddhism
Formed	Fourth Buddhists Council
Mahayana means	Great vehicles or big ships
Hinayana means	Small Vehicles or Small Ships
Bodhisattva	Mahayana
Theravada	Hinayana

Introduction

Mahayana and Hinayana: These two sects of Buddhism were created after the Fourth Buddhist Council held in Kashmir. Mahayana literally means Great Vehicles or Great Ships, as this school seeks to accommodate large numbers of people in their ship and transport them safely to Nirvana.

Today, Mahayana is the main branch of Buddhism that has the largest number of followers compared to other Buddhist sects. Mahayana Buddhism also refers to the path of the bodhisattva, who seeks complete enlightenment for the benefit of all sentient beings; hence, it is also known as bodhisattvas nas or bodhisattva vehicles.

The Mahayana tradition is the largest major tradition of Buddhism in existence today, which is why this school is also known as the Great Council.

Another sect of Buddhism is the Hinayana. The word hinyan literally means small vehicles or small ships. This sect of Buddhism is called the Little Ship because it aims to accommodate only a few people and take them safely and securely to Nirvana.

This is because, according to the followers of this school, few people are eligible to attain nirvana. Hinayanas are generally called Theravada (teachings of the elders). It is the Buddha’s path for those who want to be an Arhat (perfect saint).

Arhats are saints who attain enlightenment and reach nirvana in a short period of time. This branch of Buddhism is the second-largest school of Buddhism after Mahayana. This school is found and practiced in Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Laos, Burma, and Thailand; hence, Hinayana is also known as Southern Buddhism.

Comparison between Mahayana and Hinayana

As these two schools are two sects of philosophical schools, both Mahayana and Hinayana Buddhism share many similarities as well as differences.

Similarity between Mahayana and Hinayana

Both Mahayana and Hinayana were formally created after the 4th Buddhist Council. Although they are different sects of Buddhism, they also have a few similarities. Some similarities are as follows:

• (i) Both Hinayana and Mahayana schools accept Gautam Buddha as their teacher.
• (ii) Both of these schools accept the Four Noble Truths of Buddhism as the same.
• (iii) Both believe in the Eightfold Path of Buddhism, and by following this path, one can attain liberation.
• (iv) Both accept the theory or doctrine of dependent origination, also known as Pratitya-Samutpada.
• (v) Both schools adopt the threefold training of perception, meditation, and wisdom.
• (vi) The Buddhist canons of both schools consist of the Buddha’s teachings in the form of sutra, vinaya, and shastra.
• (vii) For both Hinayana and Mahayana schools, mind is superior to matter.

Differences between Mahayana and Hinayana

There are significant differences between the Mahayana and the Hinayana. the differences are as follows:

(i) Enlightenment

The first and most important difference between Hinayana and Mahayana is the difference in their belief in enlightenment.

As we know, the word Mahayana means big ships, The followers of this school aim to carry as many people as possible in their big ship so that they can get them safely away from all the sufferings and miseries that take place in this world, like the sufferings of old age, death, birth, rebirth,, etc. Mahayana Buddhism believes in the salvation of all living beings.

According to them, every being born in this world is eligible to attain nirvana. For this reason, this sect of Buddhism calls itself the Mahayana-Big Ship, a large vehicle capable of holding a large number of people and transporting them safely to Nirvana.

On the other hand, the word Hinayana means small ships, and therefore the followers of this school believe that their ships carry only a small number of people.

This is because, according to them, they aim to According to the followers of the Hinayana school, few people are merely individuals. Humans have the ability to attain nirvana.

Therefore, enlightenment cannot be attained by all beings; therefore, their goal is not universal liberation from suffering for all beings but individual liberation from suffering.

(ii) Path

A second difference between Mahayana Buddhism and Hinayana Buddhism is the path that these schools take. Mahayana Buddhism provides a very simple path that is open or accessible to any being who wants to achieve liberation.

This path is not offered only to monks or perfect saints but is open to all beings who live normal lives. A Mahayanist believes that every being who is born into this world is eligible to attain nirvana. The Mahayana path leads to universal enlightenment because it believes that the door to nirvana is open to all beings. Mahayana offers liberation to all beings through knowledge, faith, love, and compassion.

While the path provided by Hinayana Buddhism is considered difficult compared to the path offered by Mahayana, Furthermore, the path presented by the Hinayana is not open to every human being but is available only to those beings who strive to become perfect saints, known as arhats.

Arhats are those saints who focus only on their own liberation and try to reach this stage as quickly as possible. The Hinayana path is therefore not available to those human beings who live normal lives but is open only to those who desire or want to be Arhats. Therefore, the path of Hinayana Buddhism focuses only on individual liberation.

(iii) Compassion

A third difference between Hinayana and Mahayana Buddhism is the amount of stress they place on compassion in the name of virtue.

Although both schools believe in compassion as an important virtue in Buddhist philosophy, the degree of its importance differs. Mahayana places great emphasis on love and compassion. For them, compassion, or karuna, is supreme. It is the highest virtue that is as important as wisdom.

Mahayana offers liberation to all beings through knowledge, faith, love, and compassion. While Hinayana Buddhism places less emphasis on compassion compared to Mahayana, according to the Hinayana, rationality is more important than compassion. Being rational is supreme for them, and therefore wisdom comes first for them.

(iv) View of Arhat and Bodhisattva

A fourth difference between Mahayana and Hinayana Buddhism lies in the view they take of the Arhat and the Bodhisattva. In Buddhism, Arhats are considered to be those Buddhist saints who follow the path of Buddhism and attain enlightenment and liberation.

Mahayana Buddhists do not aim to become arhats but to become bodhisattvas. A bodhisattva is a Buddhist saint who follows the path of Buddhism and has attained enlightenment but selflessly delays his nirvana to help other people attain enlightenment. Mahayana is also known as bodhisattvas or bodhisattva vehicles. It is not limited to the teachings of the Buddha but also follows the teachings of various bodhisattvas.

According to the Mahayana Buddhists, the teaching of Mahayana Buddhism is not to attain enlightenment in the shortest possible time without help or attention to the welfare of another individual or the masses.

On the other hand, a Hinayana Buddhist aims to become an Arhat. The goal of Hinayana Buddhism is to reach nirvana as soon as possible. He first focuses on liberation and not on the liberation of other individuals, such as a bodhisattva. They do not attach much importance to the Bodhisattva. They are limited only to the teachings of the Buddha and not to any other Buddhist sign. For Hinayana Buddhism, the Arhat stage is the final stage of Buddhahood.

(v) Nature of School

Another difference between Hinayana and Mahayana schools is based on the nature of the schools. Both Hinayana and Mahayana Buddhism are based entirely on the teachings of the Buddha, but the Mahayana school does not follow the traditional rules of Buddhism. They are liberal, practical, and progressive in nature.

They are inspired by a progressive spirit and seek to expand and amplify the original teachings of the Buddha, as long as this does not conflict with the central meaning of their master’s teachings.

They are flexible in nature and interpret the teachings liberally, which makes them easily acceptable to laymen.

This nature helped Mahayana spread more than other sects of Buddhism. The Hinayana school strictly follows the traditional rules of Buddhism without any change. They are conservative schools.

They follow all the rules and teachings as they are and never try to change. This makes the Hinayana school less acceptable to ordinary people, and therefore only those who wish to be Arhats follow it. This is why this sect of Buddhism did not spread much and became less popular compared to the Mahayana school.

(vi) Doctrine of trikaya or three bodies

The doctrine of Trikaya means the three bodies of the Buddha. This doctrine is based on Buddha’s nature. According to this doctrine, the fully enlightened Buddha has three different forms, and these three forms are known as the trikaya or the three bodies of the Buddha. These three bodies of Buddha are Dharmakaya, Nirmankaya, and Sambodhkaya.

(a) Dharma-kaya

This is the body of truth. This is the essence of the Buddha and the nature of the essential Absolute Reality or Emptiness (Shunyata).

(b) Nirmanakaya

It is also called Rupa-kayas. This is the physical body of the Siddha when he was born as a human and attained enlightenment and nirvana.

(c) Sambodh-kaya

This is the body of perfect enjoyment or bliss in which the Buddha exists as a transcendent, eternal, and heavenly being.

This trikaya doctrine is considered a very fundamental theory in Mahayana Buddhism. Therefore, the Mahayana Buddhist believes in all three bodies of the Buddha, as explained in the Trikaya doctrine. While Hinayana Buddhism places less emphasis on this doctrine and believes in only two of the three bodies, Dharma-kaya and Nirmanakaya,

Conclusion

We have discussed Mahayana, Hinayana, the difference between Mahayana and Hinayana Buddhism, and other related topics through study material notes on the difference between Mahayana and Hinayana.

The Mahayana branch of Buddhism means “Great Vehicle” in Sanskrit, accepted in Buddha’s divinity. In Buddhism, the sect promoted idol worship. The Hinayana branch of Buddhism, which means “lesser vehicle” in Sanskrit, did not accept Buddha’s divinity. It emphasized personal salvation through self-discipline and mediation.

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