hinayanism
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: - The religious doctrine of Hinayana Buddhism: Hinayanism refers to the core teachings, beliefs, and practices associated with the Hinayana ("Lesser Vehicle") school of Buddhism. It emphasizes individual liberation through strict adherence to monastic discipline and the original teachings of the Buddha.
Usage
- Hinayanism is studied as a foundational and historically significant branch of Buddhist philosophy.
- The term is used in academic and comparative religious contexts to distinguish this set of doctrines from those of Mahayana ("Greater Vehicle") Buddhism.
Examples
- Scholars note that Hinayanism focuses on the ideal of the arhat, one who achieves personal nirvana.
- The texts expounding Hinayanism are preserved primarily in the Pali Canon.
- A key characteristic of Hinayanism is its emphasis on the analysis of reality into fundamental elements (dharmas).
Advanced Usage
- The term "Hinayanism" is often used descriptively in historical and theological studies rather than by adherents themselves, who typically identify with specific schools like Theravada.
- In modern discourse, some consider the term "Hinayana" (and by extension, "Hinayanism") to be potentially pejorative, as it was coined by Mahayana proponents.
Variants and Related Words
- Hinayana (n): The school of Buddhism itself, often used synonymously with Theravada in contemporary usage, though historically it encompassed other early schools.
- Theravada (n): The sole surviving school of the early Buddhist traditions, often (but not always accurately) equated with Hinayana Buddhism in modern contexts.
Synonyms
- Early Buddhism: Refers to the Buddhist doctrines and practices closest to the Buddha's original teachings.
- Śrāvakayāna: A more neutral Sanskrit term meaning "Vehicle of the Hearers" or "Disciples' Vehicle," sometimes used interchangeably with Hinayana.
Notes on Meaning
- It is crucial to understand that "Hinayanism" refers specifically to the and not directly to the people or communities who practice them.
- The concept is defined in contrast to Mahayanism, the doctrines of the Mahayana school, which emphasizes the bodhisattva ideal and universal liberation.
Noun
- the religious doctrine of Hinayana Buddhism