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Glite Dictionary
Hinayanism

Hinayanism

9.9
An older name for a form of Buddhism that focuses on personal enlightenment and strict rules for monks
  • noun
  • /ˌhɪnəˈjɑːnɪzəm/
  • Archaic
translation icon : hinayanismo
  • The comparative study of Hinayanism and Mahayanism reveals important doctrinal differences.

Examples

  • He wrote a thesis on the rituals practiced in Hinayanism during the early centuries CE.

  • Many scholars no longer use the term Hinayanism due to its negative connotations.

  • Many scholars study Hinayanism to understand its principles.

  • Is Hinayanism primarily focused on individual enlightenment?

  • The comparative study of Hinayanism and Mahayanism reveals important doctrinal differences.

  • Many scholars no longer use the term Hinayanism due to its negative connotations.

  • He wrote a thesis on the rituals practiced in Hinayanism during the early centuries CE.

Surface Forms

Hinayanism singular

Morphology

Hinayanism = Hinayana (transparent) = Hinayana + ism

The suffix '-ism' productively forms a doctrine/system from the name 'Hinayana', so the meaning is directly derived.

Etymology

Hinayanism comes from two Sanskrit parts: hina meaning 'less' and yana meaning 'vehicle' or 'path'. So Hinayanism was used to name Buddhist schools that focus on each person's own path to salvation and strict monastic discipline, though many scholars avoid the term today because calling a tradition the 'lesser vehicle' can sound negative.