Hinayana. The small, or inferior wain, or vehicle; the form of Buddhism which developed after Buddha Sakyamuni's death to about the beginning of the Christian era, when Mahayana doctrines were introduced. It is the orthodox school and more in direct line with the Buddhist succession than Mahayanism which developed on lines fundamentally different. The Buddha was a spiritual doctor, less interested in philosophy than in the remedy for human misery and perpetual transmigration. He turned aside from idle metaphysical speculations; if he held views on such topics, he deemed them valueless for the purposes of salvation, which was his goal. Metaphysical speculations arose after his death, and naturally developed into a variety of Hinayana schools before and after the separation of a distinct school of Mahayana. Hinayana remains the form in Ceylon, Burma, and Siam, hence is known as Southern Buddhism in contrast with Northern Buddhism or Mahayana, the form chiefly prevalent from Nepal to Japan. Another rough division is that of Pali and Sanskrit, Pali being the general literary language of the surviving form of Hinayana, Sanskrit of Mahayana. The term Hinayana is of Mahayanist origination to emphasize the universalism and altrism of Mahayana over the narrower personal salvation of its rival. According to Mahayana teaching its own aim is universal Buddhahood, which means the utmost development of wisdom and the perfect transformation of all the living in the future state; it declares that Hinayana,aiming at arhatship and pratyeka-buddhahood, seeks the destruction of body and mind and extinction in nirvana.

Hank Fu

Guide to Awareness
Concept of Happiness
Sutta Nipata
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A Study Guide
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