Hinayana

Hi·na·ya·na  (hn-yän)

n.

Offensive Theravada Buddhism.

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[Sanskrit Hnaynam, lesser vehicle (as contrasted with Mahynam, greater vehicle; see Mahayana) : hna-, inferior; see gh- in Indo-European roots + ynam, vehicle, way; see ei- in Indo-European roots.]

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Hina·yanist n.

Hina·ya·nistic (-yä-nstk) adj.

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Hinayana [ˌhiːnəˈjɑːnə]

n

(Non-Christian Religions / Buddhism)

a.  any of various early forms of Buddhism

b.  (as modifier) Hinayana Buddhism

[from Sanskrit hīnayāna, from hīna lesser + yāna vehicle]

Hinayanist  n

Hinayanistic  adj

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	Hinayana - a major school of Buddhism teaching personal salvation through one's own efforts Buddhism - a religion represented by the many groups (especially in Asia) that profess various forms of the Buddhist doctrine and that venerate Buddha Hinayanist - an adherent of Hinayana Buddhism
	2.	Hinayana - an offensive name for the early conservative Theravada Buddhism; it died out in India but survived in Sri Lanka and was taken from there to other regions of southwestern Asia Hinayana Buddhism Theravada, Theravada Buddhism - one of two great schools of Buddhist doctrine emphasizing personal salvation through your own efforts; a conservative form of Buddhism that adheres to Pali scriptures and the non-theistic ideal of self purification to nirvana; the dominant religion of Sri Lanka (Ceylon) and Myanmar (Burma) and Thailand and Laos and Cambodia