The significant difference between Mahayana and Hinayana forms of Budd

The significant difference between Mahayana and Hinayana forms of Buddhism lay in that

Mahayana allowed for the transference of merit while in Hinayana, a person would only help another by example and advice

Mahayana believed in the Bodhisattvas while Hinayana did not

Hinayana promoted the ideas of a suffering saviour

Mahayana propounded the idea of the 'Arhant', the 'worthy'

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UPSC CAPF – 2013

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A significant difference between Mahayana and Hinayana (often equated with Theravada) Buddhism lies in their understanding of the path to liberation and the role of merit. Mahayana Buddhism emphasizes the ideal of the Bodhisattva, one who postpones their own enlightenment to help others achieve liberation, and teaches that merit can be transferred to benefit other beings. Hinayana, on the other hand, primarily focuses on the individual’s path to becoming an Arhant (one who achieves personal enlightenment), and while helping others through teaching and example is important, the concept of transferring merit for the salvation of others is not central.

– Mahayana emphasizes the Bodhisattva ideal and universal salvation.
– Hinayana emphasizes the Arhant ideal and individual liberation.
– Mahayana allows for the transference of merit to others.
– Hinayana/Theravada focuses on individual accumulation of merit and helping others primarily through teaching/example.

Mahayana schools developed later and are more widespread in East Asia (China, Japan, Korea) and Tibet. Hinayana/Theravada is prevalent in Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia (Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos). Other differences include views on the nature of the Buddha, cosmology, and the number of Buddhas.

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