Definition

Noun: - Hinayana (literally "Small Vehicle"): A term, often used in Mahayana Buddhist traditions, to refer to the early schools of Buddhism that emphasize individual liberation through monastic discipline and the path of the Arhat. The term can carry a pejorative connotation, implying a lesser or narrower path compared to the "Great Vehicle" (Mahayana). - Theravada: In modern, non-pejorative academic and inter-Buddhist contexts, "Tiểu thừa" is often used synonymously with the Theravada tradition, which is the predominant form of Buddhism in Southeast Asia and is seen as a continuation of the early Buddhist schools.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Giáo lý Tiểu thừa tập trung vào sự giải thoát cá nhân. (Hinayana doctrine focuses on individual liberation.)
  • Phật giáo Tiểu thừa, hay Theravada, phổ biến ở Thái Lan và Sri Lanka. (Hinayana Buddhism, or Theravada, is prevalent in Thailand and Sri Lanka.)
  • Thuật ngữ "Tiểu thừa" đôi khi được xem là có tính cách miệt thị. (The term "Hinayana" is sometimes considered pejorative.)

Advanced Usage

• The term is primarily used in comparative religious studies and historical discussions about Buddhist schools. In respectful contemporary discourse, the specific name Theravada is preferred.
• It is often contrasted with Đại thừa (Mahayana, or "Great Vehicle"), which emphasizes the ideal of the Bodhisattva and universal liberation for all beings.

Variants and Related Words

• Đại thừa (n): Mahayana, the "Great Vehicle" tradition of Buddhism.
• Theravada (n): The "School of the Elders," a major extant branch of Buddhism.
• Phật giáo Nguyên thủy (n): A common Vietnamese term for Theravada Buddhism, meaning "Original Buddhism" or "Early Buddhism," which is a neutral and respectful term.

Synonyms

• Hinayana: The Sanskrit term meaning "Small Vehicle."
• Theravada (in specific, modern contexts): The surviving school often historically classified under the Hinayana umbrella.
• Early Buddhism: Referring to the early schools.

Important Note on Usage

• The term "Tiểu thừa" (Hinayana) originated within Mahayana Buddhism and is not a self-designation used by Theravada Buddhists. Using it can be seen as disrespectful as it may imply the path is inferior or selfish. The neutral and academically standard terms "Theravada" or "Phật giáo Nguyên thủy" are strongly recommended for accurate and respectful communication.

noun

1. Southern Buddhism, theravada