Hinayana
- noun
- /ˌhɪnəˈjɑːnə/
- Slur
:
[término despectivo para el budismo Theravada]
- The term Hinayana is now considered pejorative and is avoided in academic writing.
Examples
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Theravada Buddhism, sometimes labeled Hinayana by its critics, is practiced mainly in Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia.
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Many scholars prefer to use 'early Buddhism' instead of Hinayana to avoid offense.
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Don't call it Hinayana!
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The term Hinayana is often viewed as derogatory.
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Many practitioners of Buddhism find the term Hinayana disrespectful and prefer to use 'Theravada' instead.
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In contemporary discussions, the word Hinayana is often replaced with 'early Buddhist schools' to promote respectful dialogue.
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Referring to Theravada as Hinayana can alienate many who practice this form of Buddhism.
Synonyms
An older name for a form of Buddhism that focuses on personal enlightenment and strict rules for monks
Compounds
- Slur
An old insulting term for early schools of Buddhism, especially Theravada, now seen as disrespectful
Surface Forms
Etymology
Hinayana comes from the Sanskrit parts hina 'lesser' and yana 'vehicle'. Because it uses the idea of 'lesser', the word is now often seen as pejorative or insulting, so many people prefer the terms 'Theravada' or 'early Buddhism' instead.
