Hinayana

Summary

Hīnayāna, literally meaning "Small Vehicle" or "Lesser Vehicle", is an umbrella term for the early Buddhist schools, at one time used by the Mahāyāna school to refer to the pre-Mahāyāna Buddhist paths to liberation. Specifically, it encompasses the Śrāvakayāna and Pratyekabuddhayāna paths. Some Mahāyāna Buddhists consider the Hīnayāna as preliminary, individual-focused (hīna) pathways or "vehicles" (yāna) towards liberation offered by the Buddha's teachings, in contrast to the "greater" (mahā) vehicle (yāna) or second path, esteemed more highly as devoted to helping all beings seek enlightenment (bodhicitta), and not just oneself.