Advertisement

Advertisement

Hinayana

[ hee-nuh-yah-nuh ]

noun

  1. earlier of the two great schools of Buddhism, still prevalent in Sri Lanka, Myanmar (Burma), Thailand, and Cambodia, emphasizing personal salvation through one's own efforts.


Hinayana

/ ˌhiːnəˈjɑːnə /

noun

    1. any of various early forms of Buddhism
    2. ( as modifier )

      Hinayana Buddhism

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


Discover More

Derived Forms

  • ˌHinaˈyanist, noun
  • ˌHinayaˈnistic, adjective
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of Hinayana1

First recorded in 1865–70; from Sanskrit, equivalent to hīna “lesser, inferior” + yāna “vehicle”
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of Hinayana1

from Sanskrit hīnayāna, from hīna lesser + yāna vehicle
Discover More

Example Sentences

And if we look at the abuses of both systems the fossilized monk of the Hinayana will compare favourably with the tantric adept.

The Mahayana grows out of the Hinayana and in many respects the Hinayana passes into it and is preserved unchanged.

The first two which were the older seem to have belonged to the Hinayana and the other two even more definitely to the Mahayana.

In the Panjab both schools were prevalent but the Hinayana evidently strong.

If we wish to gain the lesser fruition (of the Hinayana) we may pursue it through the eight grades of sanctification.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


HinaultHinayanist