How do we name the two sects of Buddhism?
Gautama Siddhartha established the universally renowned faith known as ''Buddhism.'' He is also referred to as Gautama Buddha or ''the enlightened one''. Buddhism was founded more than 2,500 years ago in the country of India.
With about 470 million supporters, worshippers, and literary scholars consider Buddhism to be one of the world's primary religions. Its practice in history is seen to be the most noteworthy in Eastern and South-eastern Asia. The influence of Buddhism is slowly growing in the West. Many Buddhist philosophies and beliefs are similar to other existing faiths. This article contains details about the two sects of Buddhism: Hinayana and Mahayana.
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Mahayana vs Hinayana
Buddhism was established by Gautama Buddha (born in Lumbini, Nepal) in the 6th Century BC. It is a very significant religion that has shown predominance in the Asian Subcontinent.
Buddhism is split into two specific sects or religious subgroups of different philosophical beliefs. These two sects hold maximum significance in the history and system of faith in Buddhism.
Despite no written or recorded evidence, it is said by ancient scholars that during the reign of Kanishka in 72 AD, the Buddhist council president Vasumitra and his successor named Asvaghosa split Buddhism into two individual sects known as Hinayana and Mahayana.
Hinayana Buddhism
The word Hinayana is derived from two Sanskrit words' words' Hina'' meaning ''lesser'' and ''yana'' meaning ''vehicle.'' The classification of the term ''Hinayana'' began with the emergence of the idea that Hinayana was an inferior (Hina) way of reaching enlightenment (yana), according to the ideals of Buddhism.
The term Hinayana was widely practiced by Western scholars to encompass the subject of "the earliest system of Buddhist doctrine" in the history of Buddhism.
Mahayana Buddhism
The word Mahayana is derived from the Sanskrit Words'' maha'' meaning ''greater'' and ''yana'' meaning ''vehicle''. The utilization of this term started in India around the ninth century. According to Buddhist ideals, it was an idea, contrasting Hinayana, that defined a superior or more significant way (maha) of reaching enlightenment (yana).
The Sanskrit word Trikaya meaning "Three bodies" or modes of existence, was one of the concepts of Mahayana Buddhism. They are:
Dharmakaya: The body of essence
Sambhogakaya: The body of enjoyment
Nirmanakaya: The body of transformation
It is believed that, by following this idea, the Buddha appearing on Earth could reach ''Bodhisattva'' or ''the one whose goal is awakening''.
Difference between Hinayana and Mahayana
1. In Hinayana: Early Buddhist teachings gave more weight to self-realization and training in attaining Nirvana.
Whereas,
In Mahayana: Believers believe strongly in the vitality of Buddha's education.
2. In Hinayana: The model of Hinayana is personal salvation; hence is deemed a lesser vehicle.
Whereas,
In Mahayana: The ideal of Mahayana is salvation for every individual; it is called a greater vehicle.
3. In Hinayana: Hinayana stresses righteous action and the law of karma.
Whereas,
In Mahayana: Mahayana places the act of compassion over and the act of karma.
4. In Hinayana: It is also termed the "Meager Vehicle," or Theravada, which means "doctrine of elders."
Whereas,
In Mahayana: The Mahayana tradition's elementary teachings revolve around the possibility of universal deliverance from suffering for every human. Hence, it is termed as the "Great Vehicle."
5. In Hinayana: The believers of Hinayana Buddhism do not believe in Idol worship.
Whereas,
In Mahayana: This order believes in the transcendent qualities of Buddha and therefore believes in Idol Worship.
6. In Hinayana: Hinayana manuscripts are transcribed in Pali.
Whereas,
In Mahayana: Mahayana manuscripts are transcribed in the Sanskrit language in the form of Sutras.
7. In Hinayana: Beliefs are centered around the deeds of Buddha.
Whereas,
In Mahayana: Beliefs are centered around the metaphor of Buddha's lifetime and temperament.
8. In Hinayana: The ideal of Hinayana Buddhism is Arhat, which means the one who tries for redemption in the path of life.
Whereas,
In Mahayana: The ideal of Mahayana Buddhism is evolving the principle of Bhakti as a primary characteristic feature.
9. In Hinayana: Disciples are taught the ways to attain individual salvation.
Whereas,
In Mahayana: Disciples are taught the ways to attain salvation by faith.
10. In Hinayana: Buddhists of this faith believe that Buddha was mortal instead of God. Hence, Buddha was considered a man who found a way to Nirvana.
Whereas,
In Mahayana: Mahayana supports the goals of Boddhisatva, who is the savior concerned with the liberation of others. Hence, believers practice idol worship.
11. In Hinayana: The Hinayana Buddhism sect was patronized by Ashoka during his reign.
Whereas,
In Mahayana: The Mahayana Buddhism sect came to be recognized during Fr
12. In Hinayana: Hinayana does not consider the three bodies of Buddha. But believe that an individual needs to find their route to salvation.
Whereas,
In Mahayana: The three beings of a Buddha are believed in Mahayana Buddhism. They are Nirmanakaya, Dharmakaya and Sambhogakaya.
FAQs on Hinayana And Mahayana
1.Name the two sects of Buddhism.
After the death of Gautama Buddha, to simplify the complex movements of spiritual and religious belief, knowledge, ideals, and religious practice, The Buddhist Council split Buddhism into two distinct sects. To name the two sects of Buddhism, Hinayana and Mahayana are the main two classifications of Buddhism, followed by people worldwide to date.
2. What is Vajrayana?
Vajrayana in the Sanskrit language means "Diamond Vehicle," which is a kind of Tantric Buddhism that originated in India and its neighboring countries, among which disciples most prominently practiced it in Tibet. In the long history of Buddhism, Vajrayana denotes the shift from the existing Mahayana meditative thought to the impersonation of Buddhist ideas in the disciple's individual life. Hence, the three main sects of Buddhism are hinayana mahayana vajrayana.
3. What are the two most significant differences between Hinayana and Mahayana?
The primary difference between hinayana and mahayana is tabulated as follows.
S.No. | Hinayana | Mahayana |
i. | Disciples of Hinayana Buddhism acknowledge Gautama Buddha as an average human being who discovered a way to attain Nirvana. | Disciples of Mahayana Buddhism acknowledge Gautama Buddha to be the supreme individual who will assist the followers on the course of attaining Nirvana. |
ii. | All manuscripts of the sect of Hinayana Buddhism were recorded in the Pali language. | All manuscripts of the sect of Mahayana Buddhism were recorded in the Sanskrit language. |
4. What were the ideologies of the Mahayana and Hinayana religious sects of Buddhism?
Mahayana Buddhism that began to thrive around 500 BC, acknowledged Gautama Buddha as a divine individual who escorted his followers or believers in the attainment of Nirvana. Conversely, Hinayana Buddhism that started to increase around 250 BC, recognizes Gautama Buddha as an ordinary person who succeeded in attaining Nirvana.
