Difference between revisions of "Hīnayāna"
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Meaning ‘[[inferior vehicle]],’ [[Hīnayāna]] is a derogatory term [[Mahāyāna]] [[Buddhists]] use for the pre-Mahāyāna [[schools of Buddhism]]. Although found in the earliest [[Mahāyāna sūtras]] (approximately 1st century BCE), the more common terms were [[arhatyāna]], [[śravakayāna]], i.e. ‘the [[disciples’ vehicle]]’ and [[hīnādhimukita]], i.e. ‘freed by {{Wiki|inferior}} means.’ Eventually [[Hīnayāna]] became the dominant term and it is still used today by [[Mahāyānists]] to describe [[Theravāda Buddhism]]. | Meaning ‘[[inferior vehicle]],’ [[Hīnayāna]] is a derogatory term [[Mahāyāna]] [[Buddhists]] use for the pre-Mahāyāna [[schools of Buddhism]]. Although found in the earliest [[Mahāyāna sūtras]] (approximately 1st century BCE), the more common terms were [[arhatyāna]], [[śravakayāna]], i.e. ‘the [[disciples’ vehicle]]’ and [[hīnādhimukita]], i.e. ‘freed by {{Wiki|inferior}} means.’ Eventually [[Hīnayāna]] became the dominant term and it is still used today by [[Mahāyānists]] to describe [[Theravāda Buddhism]]. | ||
| − | The [[Mahāyāna]] claim that their {{Wiki|ideal}} [[practitioner]], the [[bodhisattva]], strives to liberate all [[beings]] while the [[Hīnayāna]] {{Wiki|ideal}}, the [[arahat]], is intent on liberating himself or herself only. The [[Pāḷi]] [[Tipiṭaka]] contains no term, derogatory or otherwise, for [[Mahāyāna Buddhism]] simply because it predates the period when sects arose within [[Buddhism]]. | + | The [[Mahāyāna]] claim that their {{Wiki|ideal}} [[practitioner]], the [[bodhisattva]], strives to {{Wiki|liberate}} all [[beings]] while the [[Hīnayāna]] {{Wiki|ideal}}, the [[arahat]], is intent on liberating himself or herself only. The [[Pāḷi]] [[Tipiṭaka]] contains no term, derogatory or otherwise, for [[Mahāyāna Buddhism]] simply because it predates the period when sects arose within [[Buddhism]]. |
‘A Historical Study of the Terms [[Hinayana]] and [[Mahayana]],’ R. Kimura, Journal of the Dept. of Letters, {{Wiki|Calcutta}} {{Wiki|University}}, Vol. XII, 1925. | ‘A Historical Study of the Terms [[Hinayana]] and [[Mahayana]],’ R. Kimura, Journal of the Dept. of Letters, {{Wiki|Calcutta}} {{Wiki|University}}, Vol. XII, 1925. | ||
Latest revision as of 21:06, 28 January 2014
Meaning ‘inferior vehicle,’ Hīnayāna is a derogatory term Mahāyāna Buddhists use for the pre-Mahāyāna schools of Buddhism. Although found in the earliest Mahāyāna sūtras (approximately 1st century BCE), the more common terms were arhatyāna, śravakayāna, i.e. ‘the disciples’ vehicle’ and hīnādhimukita, i.e. ‘freed by inferior means.’ Eventually Hīnayāna became the dominant term and it is still used today by Mahāyānists to describe Theravāda Buddhism.
The Mahāyāna claim that their ideal practitioner, the bodhisattva, strives to liberate all beings while the Hīnayāna ideal, the arahat, is intent on liberating himself or herself only. The Pāḷi Tipiṭaka contains no term, derogatory or otherwise, for Mahāyāna Buddhism simply because it predates the period when sects arose within Buddhism.
‘A Historical Study of the Terms Hinayana and Mahayana,’ R. Kimura, Journal of the Dept. of Letters, Calcutta University, Vol. XII, 1925.
