Definition

1. Noun:
   • Hinayana (literally: "Small Vehicle"): One of the two major existing branches of Buddhism, characterized by an emphasis on personal liberation through strict adherence to the original monastic discipline and teachings of the Buddha. It is contrasted with Mahayana ("Great Vehicle").
   • A conservative or orthodox school: In a broader, sometimes pejorative sense, it can refer to any doctrine, philosophy, or approach that is considered narrow, literal, or lacking in expansive development.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Phật giáo Nguyên thủy thường được gọi là Tiểu thặng. (Theravada Buddhism is often called Hinayana.)
  • Quan điểm đó bị chỉ trích là tiểu thặng, không phổ độ chúng sinh. (That viewpoint is criticized as being Hinayana, not aiming for the salvation of all beings.)

Advanced Usage

• The term "Tiểu thặng" is primarily a doctrinal and historical classification within Buddhism. In modern academic and inter-Buddhist dialogue, the term "Theravada" is often preferred for the living tradition, as "Hinayana" can be perceived as derogatory, meaning "lesser vehicle."

Variants and Related Words

• Tiểu thừa: This is the more common Sino-Vietnamese term with identical meaning and usage to "tiểu thặng."
• Đại thặng (Mahayana): The "Great Vehicle," the other major branch of Buddhism, which emphasizes the ideal of the bodhisattva and universal liberation.

Synonyms

• Hinayana: The direct English equivalent.
• Theravada: Refers to the specific school that survives today; often used interchangeably in general contexts but is more precise and neutral.
• Conservative Buddhism: Descriptive synonym focusing on its traditional character.

Related Concepts

• Phật giáo Nguyên thủy (Theravada Buddhism): The school of Buddhism that preserves the earliest recorded teachings of the Buddha; it is the primary tradition historically labeled as Hinayana.
• Duyên khởi (Dependent Origination): A core doctrine emphasized in this tradition.
• A-la-hán (Arhat): The ideal spiritual goal in Hinayana, one who has achieved personal enlightenment.