Hinayana
[hee-n
uh
-
yah
-n
uh
]
/ˌhi nəˈyɑ nə/
noun
1.
earlier of the two great schools of Buddhism, still prevalent in Sri Lanka, Burma, Thailand, and Cambodia, emphasizing personal salvation through one's own efforts.
Also called
Theravada
.
Compare
Mahayana
.
Origin
1865-70;
<
Sanskrit,
equivalent to
hīna
lesser, inferior +
yāna
vehicle
British Dictionary definitions for
Hinayana
Hinayana
/
ˌhiːnəˈjɑːnə
/
noun
1.
any of various early forms of Buddhism
(
as modifier
):
Hinayana Buddhism
Derived Forms
Hinayanist,
noun
Hinayanistic,
adjective
Word Origin
from Sanskrit
hīnayāna,
from
hīna
lesser +
yāna
vehicle