{"id":345,"date":"2019-11-26T11:07:46","date_gmt":"2019-11-26T16:07:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/encyclopediabuddhicaf19.andrewquintman.wescreates.wesleyan.edu\/blog\/?p=345"},"modified":"2019-11-26T11:07:46","modified_gmt":"2019-11-26T16:07:46","slug":"mahayana-vs-hinayana","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/encyclopediabuddhicaf19.andrewquintman.wescreates.wesleyan.edu\/blog\/m\/mahayana-vs-hinayana\/","title":{"rendered":"Mahayana vs Hinayana"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Mahayana and\nHinayana are terms used to refer to two main sects of Buddhism. Also known as\nNorthern Buddhism, Mahayana is usually associated with Sanskrit, the classical\nlanguage of India, China, and Tibet. Hinayana canons are usually written in\nPali, which is used in Laos, Burma, and Myanmar. While both Mayahana and\nHinayana are divisions of the same religion, they have slightly different\norigins and beliefs. In broad terms, the main difference between the two is\nthat \u201cMahayanism is more liberal and progressive\u2026 Hinayanism, on the other\nhand, is somewhat conservative and may be considered in many points to be a rationalistic\nethical system simply (Suzuki, 1907, p2).\u201d This speaks directly to the\netymology of the words. Hinayana means smaller or lesser vehicle while Mahayana\nmeans great or exalted vehicle. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hinayana refers\nto the more original doctrines that date back to the time of the Buddha (Kimura,\n1927, p.10). Because of this, its canon can be thought of as closed, meaning\nits doctrines and beliefs are set in stone and not really open to change or amendments\n(Cohen, 1995, p.2). It is a polemical term, and a more formal term for Hinayana\nis \u2018Theravada,\u2019 but it is rarely used. In this sect of Buddhism, a disciple of\nthe Buddha that has come to the end of his path is called an Arhat. The only\nthing bigger and better than an Arhat would be a Buddha. Within Hinayana\nBuddhism is the belief in the eightfold path, the path to breaking the cycle of\nsamsara. The eight practices are \u201cright views, right aspirations, right speech,\nright conduct, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right\ncontemplation (Klostermaier, 1999, p.35).\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
This is a visual of the Wheel of Life which represents Samsara being held by Yama, the Lord of Death. This is the cycle that the eightfold path aims to break.
[Thanka Gouache paintings]. Retrieved from https:\/\/library.artstor.org\/asset\/24843397<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The word \u2018Mahayana\u2019 originally had nothing to do with this doctrine of Buddhism. It \u201cwas first used to designate the highest principle, or being, or knowledge, of which the universe with all its sentient and non-sentient ebings is a manifestation, and through which only they can attain final salvation (Suzuki, 1907, p7).\u201d The originators of Mahayanism chose the word specifically for its great meaning; they wanted their doctrine to have a word rooted in venerability. While Hinayanists believe in Arhats, Mahayanists call one whose mind is set on liberation a bodhisattva. The end of the path for a bodhisattva is Buddhahood, also known as perfect, complete enlightenment. The concepts of Hinayana Buddhism refer more to the teachings developed during the Buddha\u2019s lifetime, \u201cwhile the doctrines expressed by the term Mahayana were formulated by Buddha\u2019s disciples and followers after his death (Kimura, 1927, p.10).\u201d Mahayanists believe in the six perfections. They are: generosity, discipline, patience, diligence, meditation, and wisdom. These are the ways to best follow the Buddha\u2019s teachings. One of the most important canons in Mahayanism is the Lotus Sutra. At the beginning of the sutra, the Buddha says that he \u201chas taught the dharma using skillful means (upaya) in order that the beings of the world might overcome attachment (Lopez, 13).\u201d The Buddha then says he will explain what he means by this and does so through the use of seven parables. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
A visual representation of the burning house mentioned in the Lotus Sutra.
Gansu Sheng: Tun-huang cave #420 det.: scenes from the Lotus Sutra, “Parable of the Burning House”: south slope of ceiling, Dunhuang dong #420: det.: tianjing: ku ding dong ce, Tun-huang cave. Retrieved from https:\/\/library.artstor.org\/asset\/ARTSTOR_103_41822003072574<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The most famous parable is the one with the burning house. In order to save all the children inside, a merchant calls out that he has a cart filled with toys. When the kids come running out, all they see is a cart being pulled by oxen. The oxen represent Mahayanism; it is a guiding light for its followers. Since the Mahayana can be seen as a newer strain of Buddhism, its canon is often viewed as open; it allows for revelations in the future (Cohen, 1995, p.2).  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
A tenth century copy of the Lotus Sutra.
(10th century). Lotus Sutra, ch. 25. [booklet: thread]. Retrieved from https:\/\/library.artstor.org\/asset\/MIDA_LIBRARY_12010376782<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

There are a good\nmany values that Mahayanists and Hinayanists share. Firstly, they both believe\nthat the Buddha is their only master and the one person they worship. While\nthey value monotheism, they do not think that the world is created and ruled by\na god. One similarity that seems to be extremely significant is that they \u201cadmit\nthat in different countries there are differences with regard to the life of\nBuddhist monks, popular Buddhist beliefs and practices, rites and ceremonies,\ncustoms and habits (Klostermaier, 1999, p. 38).  Both Mayahanists and Hinayanists believe that\neverything comes back to the Buddha, and that followers must not be distracted\nby external factors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

All in all,\nMahayana and Hinayana Buddhism began from the same roots. Hinayana stays more\nconsistent with doctrines from the Buddha\u2019s time while Mahayana is slightly\nmore modern and open to interpretation. The Hinayanists believe that the\neightfold path is the best way to break the cycle of samsara, while the\nMahayanists remain more focused on the six perfections, which are the best ways\nto show one\u2019s devotion towards the Buddha. While there are many differences\nbetween these two sects, they do share some thoughts, including that the Buddha\nis their only master.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

References:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cohen, R. (1995). Discontented Categories: H\u012bnay\u0101na and Mah\u0101y\u0101na in Indian Buddhist History. Journal of the American Academy of Religion,<\/em> 63<\/em>(1), 1-25.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kimura, R. (1927). A historical study of the terms Hinay\u0101na and Mah\u0101y\u0101na and the origin of Mah\u0101y\u0101na Buddhism. Calcutta]: University of Calcutta.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Klostermaier, K.\n(1999). Buddhism : A short introduction. Oxford: Oneworld.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lopez, Donald. \u201cIntroduction\u201d\nand \u201cPlot Summary\u201d of the Lotus S\u016btra <\/em>(From class reading list)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Suzuki, D. (1907). Outlines of Maha\u0177\u00e2na Buddhism. London: Luzac and Company,  to the University of Chicago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Further Readings:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reeves, Gene. Lotus Sutra: A Contemporary Translation of a Buddhist Classic. <\/em>This new translation of the Lotus Sutra requires no prior knowledge of Buddhism and aims to bring light to some of the Sutra’s main messages. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shizuka, Sasaki. “A Study on the Origin of Mah\u0101y\u0101na Buddhism.” The Eastern Buddhist<\/em>. This journal article delves deeper into the origins of Mahayana Buddhism. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sharma, Arvind. \u201cA Note on the Use of the Word H\u012bnay\u0101na in the Teaching of Buddhism.\u201d This journal article discusses the terminology of Hinayana, Theravada, and Mahayana. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

External Links:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For a video about the differences between Mahayana and Hinayana Buddhism presented by Master Sheng Yen, click here<\/a>. This short video follows the development of the two main sects of Buddhism in a historical and geographical fashion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For a page displaying Mahayana art, click here<\/a>. In this database, there are plenty of visual representations of important Mahayana figures. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To see a virtual copy of the Lotus Sutra, click here<\/a>. On this website, a scanned copy of the Lotus Sutra can be viewed along with some original artwork depicting the events of the sutra. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Mahayana and Hinayana are terms used to refer to two main sects of Buddhism. Also known as Northern Buddhism, Mahayana is usually associated with Sanskrit, the classical language of India, China, and Tibet. Hinayana canons are usually written in Pali, which is used in Laos, Burma, and Myanmar. While both Mayahana and Hinayana are divisions … <\/p>\n

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