Hinyan

Hinyan (also spelled Hinayana) is a branch of Buddhism. Hinyan literally means the 'lesser vehicle'.

The follower of the Mahayan (the greater vehicle) Buddhism used this Hinyan word for the followers who did not observe their traditions of venerating the bodhisattvas and reading the Mahayan sutras.

Thus Hinyan is a pejorative name given by the Mahayan Buddhists to those who followed a little different path from the original path of Buddhism.

This branch of Buddhism is more liberal than the Mahayan Buddhism.

Hinyan Buddhism did not survive in India, the country of origin of Buddhism. However, it survived in Sri Lanka, and then was spread in southeast Asia. This is also known as Theravada.

Nearby pages
Hiouen-Thsang, Hipparchus, Hippias, Hippocrene, Hippodamia, Hippolyte, Hippolyte Adolphe Taine