What is the difference between Mahayana Buddhism and Hinayana Buddhism

First of all, let me help you correct that Hinayana Buddhism, which is now commonly known as primitive Buddhism, or Theravada Buddhism, is the method practiced by Shakyamuni himself, and it is the most authentic method. The word Hinayana itself has the meaning of slander, and the appearance of this word is because hundreds of years after the Buddha's extinction, Mahayana Buddhism appeared, belittling the title of primitive Buddhism, so real practitioners are still willing to call it primitive Buddhism, which is more respectful. Primitive Buddhism, which talks about the 37 qualities, focuses on the four thoughts, including the four meditations and eight concentrations; Mahayana Buddhism is due to the later generation, so there are more practice methods, such as chanting Buddha, worshipping, holding mantras, transcendence, sutras, etc., and at present, Chinese mainland is dominated by Mahayana Buddhism.

Primitive Buddhism and Mahayana Buddhism can be compared to conservatives and reformists, and primitive Buddhism almost completely follows the teachings of Shakyamuni Buddha, so it is called traditional and conservative; The practice of Mahayana Buddhism is diverse and diverse, and it is the mainstream of practice in China, Japan, and Korea. Actually, the others are good, their only problem is that they misunderstand and distort the original Dharma, of course it's not their fault, it's Mahayana Buddhism that's what it says. Arhats are truly liberated beings who have broken through their ignorance, and of course they have great compassion and bodhichitta as well, and if they are really selfish and self-interested, they will not even be able to attain the first fruits, let alone the four fruits.

You might as well think about it, if there is no Ananda, Kasya, and the patriarchs of the past generations, where can you learn such a good Dharma, the earliest southern transmission, the northern transmission, are all arhats who are propagating the Dharma, don't learn new ones and forget your ancestors. I point this out today in the hope that you will know the facts and not misunderstand arhats and primitive Dharma.

The main differences between Mahayana Buddhism and Hinayana Buddhism are:

1. On the system of religious doctrines:

Hinayana basically maintained the legacy of Shakyamuni, emphasizing ethical teachings, taking the Buddha as a teacher rather than a god, and not worshipping idolatry; Mahayana accepted the idea of foreign Taoism, revised the doctrine of Shakyamuni, regarded the Buddha as a god with different incarnations and boundless power, preached supernatural powers, and created various idols to worship.

2. On the path of monasticism:

Hinayana advocates that all sentient beings can help themselves, and everyone can enter Nirvana through cultivation, but not everyone can become a Buddha. Mahayana, on the other hand, advocates not only self-transcendence, but also transcendence of others, believing that as long as one sincerely believes, everyone can become a Buddha (those who can realize, perceive others, and attain perfection are Buddhas).

3. In philosophical theory:

Hinayana asserts that "self-emptiness exists" denies subjective truth, but does not completely deny objective existence; Mahayana advocates that "the Dharma and the self are empty", which not only denies the subjective truth, but also denies the objective truth, which is a thorough idealism.

4. To transcend the cycle of life and death

Hinayana believes that it is necessary to practice on its own, and even to become a monk and live a life of begging. Mahayana, on the other hand, advocates that believers can live a family life, run a business, and give alms as usual, so that they can make merits, and even transcend samsara as long as they sincerely recite the Buddha.

The differences between Mahayana Buddhism and Hinayana Buddhism are: differences in views on Buddha Shakyamuni and differences in practice methods.

1. Differences in views on Buddha Shakyamuni

Theravada Buddhism generally sees him as a guru, a teacher, a person who has attained full enlightenment. Mahayana Buddhism regards Shakyamuni as a Buddha with great power, boundless power, omniscience, and omnipotence, and believes that in addition to Shakyamuni Buddha, there are countless Buddhas in the three worlds (past, present, and future) in the ten directions (southeast, northwest, and four dimensions).

2. Differences in practice methods

Theravada Buddhism advocates the "Three Learnings" of Meditation, Concentration, and Wisdom (the attainment of wisdom through the practice of meditation through keeping the precepts) and the "Eightfold Path" (the eight correct ways of thinking and acting). In addition to the "Three Learnings" and the "Eightfold Path", Mahayana Buddhism also focuses on the practice of "bodhisattva behaviors" including the "Six Degrees" and "Four Senses".

Mahayana is the rise after Hinayana is called Hinayana because "ride" is similar to "wheel", representing a means of transportation or a tool for crossing a river; Theravada Buddhism is closer to the idea of primitive Buddhism, which believes that not everyone can become a Buddha, and only a very small number of people who need to strictly follow the Buddha's teachings can go to the other world.

Characteristics of Mahayana Buddhism

In terms of practice and doctrine system, Mahayana Buddhism is more profound and complete, the realm is vast and unlimited, and the cultivation results are directly towards the supreme Bodhi. On the basis of Hinayana Buddhism, the teachings of Mahayana Buddhism further reveal the realities of the Middle Way, the Eight Consciousnesses and the Buddha's Path, the Six Ten Thousand Actions and the Bodhisattva Path, the One Heart is Pure, and all beings are equal, and all beings can become Buddhas.

From the Four Noble Truths and the Twelve Causes and Conditions of Hinayana to the Enlightenment-only Learning, the Three Vehicles of Buddhism have been used to increasing in breadth and profundity, constituting a complete Buddhist system.

Hinayana Buddhism and Mahayana Buddhism are two major schools of Buddhism that differ in many ways in their beliefs and practices. Different views: Theravada Buddhism focuses on personal liberation and advocates the attainment of nirvana through the elimination of suffering and the defilement of Sidja.

They believe that liberation in the true sense of the word can only be achieved by being self-centered and giving up all desires. Mahayana Buddhism, on the other hand, holds that personal liberation is only a prerequisite for attaining a higher ultimate goal. They believe that everyone has the potential to become a Buddha or a bodhisattva, and through their own efforts and practices, they can bring more benefits and happiness to others and the world.

The teachings are different: Theravada Buddhism emphasizes the three disciplines of precept and wisdom, relying on personal efforts to eliminate suffering and afflictions. They do not believe that there is an ultimate truth that transcends personal experience.

Mahayana Buddhism, on the other hand, believes that all existence is transient and unstable, and that true liberation can only be attained by transcending our personal experience and realizing the truth of the universe and universal truths. In other words, Mahayana Buddhism focuses on wisdom and emphasizes the bodhisattva path and the view of Buddha-nature. The practice is different:

Theravada Buddhism primarily emphasizes precepts and meditation, focusing on seeking inner peace and liberation in zazen. In addition to precepts and meditation, Mahayana Buddhism includes a variety of methods, such as reading sutras, chanting Buddhas, monasteries, etc., as well as achieving good fortune and liberation through wisdom meditation and good deeds. How to deal with the problem:

Theravada Buddhism encourages individuals to face problems and negative emotions through self-reflection, and to achieve liberation by reducing and eliminating them. Mahayana Buddhism, on the other hand, emphasizes the cultivation of compassion and wisdom to eliminate the suffering and afflictions of the individual and all of humanity by helping others and paying attention to their suffering. In conclusion, Theravada Buddhism and Mahayana Buddhism have many differences, but both emphasize attaining higher levels of liberation and happiness through inner practice and self-discovery.