Hinayana Definition
hēnə-yänə
noun
The oldest major movement or school in Buddhism, found especially in Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia: it emphasizes the attainment of nirvana through meditation and monastic discipline.
Webster's New World
Theravada Buddhism.
American Heritage
Synonyms:
- Hinayana Buddhism
Origin of Hinayana
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Sanskrit Hīnayānam lesser vehicle (as contrasted with Mahāyānam greater vehicle Mahayana) hīna- inferior ghē- in Indo-European roots yānam vehicle, way ei- in Indo-European roots
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
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From Sanskrit हीनयान (hīnayāna, “lesser vehicle”).
From Wiktionary
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