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Home / IAS Preparation / Difference between Hinayana and Mahayana Buddhism UPSC Notes

Difference between Hinayana and Mahayana Buddhism | UPSC Notes

Last Updated on Apr 08, 2025
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The difference between Hinayana and Mahayana Buddhism is that Mahayana sects of Buddhists believe that Buddha is a divine being and he guides the path to ‘Nirvana’. In contrast, Hinayana sects consider Buddha as a Human Being. The heart of the Buddha’s teaching is the goal of overcoming suffering. Buddhists believe that there are guidelines that help them attain enlightenment. Because Buddha’s doctrines were hardly documented throughout his existence, his disciples interpreted his instructions differently following his demise. Disagreements occurred involving monks’ and nuns’ behavior, including the significance of whatever Buddha had preached. As a result, within a century of his demise and during a century just after Parinirvana, the Buddhists split into many sects, among which were some of the most renowned.

The difference between Hinayana Buddhism and Mahayana Buddhism is among the most important topics for the UPSC IAS Examination.

In this article on the difference between Hinayana Buddhism and Mahayana Buddhism, we shall discuss their origin, the rulers under which they expanded and other important details. This will be very useful for aspirants in the UPSC Prelims Exam.

You can also register for the Testbook’s flagship optional history coaching for UPSC and kick-start your UPSC IAS preparation journey today.

Also, study the NCERT Notes on Ashokan Edicts from the linked article.

GS Paper

General Studies Paper I

Topics for UPSC Prelims

Buddhism, Hinayana (Theravada) Buddhism, Mahayana Buddhism

Topics for UPSC Mains

Major Buddhist councils and their impact on the division, India’s efforts to preserve and promote Buddhist heritage, Influence of Indian Buddhism on East and Southeast Asian cultures.

Difference between Hinayana and Mahayana Sects of Buddhism

Following table comprises the differences between Hinayana Buddhism and Mahayana Buddhism.

Difference between Hinayana Buddhism and Mahayana Buddhism

Mahayana Buddhism

Hinayana Buddhism

Around 500 BC, Mahayana Buddhism began to grow.

Around 250 BC, Hinayana Buddhism began to grow.

Mahayana Buddhism literature was composed in Sanskrit Language.

Hinayana Buddhism literature was composed in Pali Language.

In China, (South) Korea, Japan, and Tibet, Mahayana Buddhism is practiced.

In Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia & Laos, Hinayana Buddhism is practiced.

Gautama Buddha is regarded by Mahayana Buddhism as a heavenly person who will assist his disciples in achieving nirvana.

Gautama Buddha is seen by Hinayana Buddhists as a common citizen who gained Nirvana.

Mahayana Buddhism recognizes the Buddha’s three incarnations. The three incarnations are as follows:

Nirmanakaya

Sambhogakaya

Nirmanakaya

Hinayana does not have faith in the Buddha’s three bodies, believing that each person must find their own route to salvation.

Uncountable bliss in Mahayana Buddhism is the yearning for everyone to experience the delight of continuous enlightenment.

Uncountable joy in Hinayana Buddhism refers to reveling in the pleasure of others without being jealous or demanding something in exchange.

The Mahayana ten-far-reaching mindset is as described in the following:

Generosity

Self-Discipline

Patience

Stability of Mind

Wisdom

Capabilities in Means

Prayers of Aspiration

Strengthening

Deep Sensitivity

The Hinayana ten-far-reaching mindset is as described in the following:

Generosity

Self-Discipline

Patience

Perseverance

Following through on one’s words

Wisdom

Renunciation

Resolution

Love

Equanimity

Study the NCERT Notes on Rise of the Mauryan Empire here.

The Mahayana (Higher Vehicle)

Mahayanists view Gautama Buddha as a divine figure who continues to appear throughout history and will continue to do so in the future, with Maitreya being the next Buddha in the next world. The focus has shifted from Gautama and Nirvana, and individuals now recognize that personal salvation is not enough. It is important to strive for the betterment of others' lives. Those who embody this philosophy are called Bodhisattvas, meaning "wise beings."

The Mahayana tradition includes two major philosophical schools: Madhyamika and Yogacharya. Nagarjuna established the Madhyamika tradition, which offers a middle ground between the strict realism of Hinayana and the complete idealism of Yogacharya. The Yogacharya school, developed by Maitreyanatha, completely rejects the realism of Hinayana and embraces a philosophy of complete idealism.

The Hinayana (Lower Vehicle)

The Hinayanist Sect regards Gautama Buddha as the only Buddha who has attained Nirvana, free from desires and efforts. According to this belief, Buddha is seen as a normal human who has achieved perfection and renounced Karma, which causes suffering and anguish. To attain Nirvana, individuals must strive for themselves through the revered Eightfold Path. The earliest school of Hinayana Buddhism is known as Sthaviravada (Theravada in Pali). Its Sanskrit equivalent, Sarvastivada, sustains the presence of all physical and mental entities and is more philosophical in nature. From the Sarvastivada tradition, the analytical Sautantrika school emerged. Hinayana Buddhists used Pali, the language of the common people. Hinayanaism was favored by Ashoka.

Facts About Buddhism

With time, Buddhism traversed the whole Indian subcontinent geographically, passing through India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, and eastern Afghanistan.

  • Buddhism began approximately 2,600 years back in India as a style of living that can reform an individual.
  • It is among the most prominent religions in the nations of South and Southeast Asia.
  • The religion was founded on the doctrines and life events of Siddhartha Gautam, born in 563 BCE.
  • He was born into the Sakya clan’s royal lineage, governed from Kapilvastu in Lumbini, close to the Indo-Nepal border.
  • Gautama's household at the age of 29, rejecting his life of wealth in favour of celibacy or intense self-discipline.
  • Gautama gained Bodhi (illumination) below a pipal tree in Bodhgaya, a hamlet in Bihar, after 49 days of concentration.
  • Buddha preached his inaugural sermon in Sarnath, close to the city of Benares in Uttar Pradesh. Dharma-Chakra-Pravartana is the name given to this occurrence (turning of the wheel of law).
  • In 483 BCE, he died at 80 in Kushinagara, a town in Uttar Pradesh.
  • Mahaparinirvana is the name given to the event.

Check out the test series for UPSC IAS Exam here.

Key Takeaways for UPSC Aspirants

  • Doctrinal Differences: Hinayana, or Theravada, focuses on individual salvation through adherence to the original teachings, while Mahayana emphasizes collective salvation and the path of the bodhisattvas.
  • Geographical Spread: Hinayana is mainly found in Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Myanmar, whereas Mahayana covers China, Japan, and Korea.
  • Scriptural Canon: Hinayana strictly adheres to the Pali Canon, while in Mahayana, other scriptures exist to supplement it, like the Lotus Sutra and the Mahayana Sutras.
  • Concept of Buddha: Hinayana perceives Buddha as an historical entity and a teacher, whereas Mahayana views him as a divine being with a plurality of manifestations.
  • Philosophical tenets: Hinayana concerns itself with self-discipline and meditation for Nirvana. Mahayana emphasizes compassion and altruistic deeds concerning the path to Buddhahood.
  • Monastic Practices: Hinayana monks lead a more austere and ascetic life compared to Mahayana monks, who often interact with society and laypeople much more effectively.
  • Art and Iconography: The aspects of the difference in the artistic representation of Buddha and Bodhisattvas include the fact that Mahayana art is more cosmopolitan and elaborate.
  • Spread of Doctrines: While Hinayana offers one goal-to reach Nirvana-Mahayana introduces several Buddhas and Paradises.

We hope that all your doubts regarding the Difference between Hinayana Buddhism and Mahayana Buddhism will be cleared after going through this article. You can download the Testbook App now to check out various other topics relevant to the UPSC IAS Exam.

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Difference between Hinayana Buddhism and Mahayana Buddhism FAQs:

Following the demise of the Gautama Buddha in 400 BC, Buddhism divided into the Mahayana and Hinayana schools.

The Sanskrit word "hinayana" literally translates as "the small/deficient carriage." Around the first or second century, this phrase first arose. Theravada, the dominant school of Buddhism in Southeast Asia and Sri Lanka, has also been referred to as "Hinayana" in some instances.

Mahayana Buddhism is usually thought to be the most prevalent because it is present in many nations with extremely large Buddhist populations, especially China, Japan, South Korea, and Vietnam. However, affiliation with specific branches of Buddhism is not recorded in most censuses and surveys.

Generosity, Self-Discipline, Patience,Stability of Mind, Wisdom, Capabilities in Means, Prayers of Aspiration, Strengthening and Deep Sensitivity
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