Karandavyuha Sutra
by Mithun Howladar | 2018 | 73,554 words
This page relates “Special Features of Hinayana” of the Karandavyuha Sutra (analytical study): an important 4th century Sutra extolling the virtues and powers of Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara. The Karandavyuhasutra also introduces the mantra “Om mani padme hum” into the Buddhist Sutra tradition.
Part 10 - Special Features of Hinayāna
The Hinayāna Buddhism holds some distinguishing features. These are as follows:
1. The ideal of Hinayāna is individual salvation, thus it is considered lesser vehicle.
2. The Hinayāna or Theravāda doctrine believes in the original teaching of Buddha, or the old, respected path of theras. They don’t believe in Idol Worship.
3. Hinayāna teaches that, to attain individual salvation the path goes through self-discipline and meditation. It should be noted here that Asoka patronized Hinayāna.
4. Pāli, the language of masses was used by the Hinayāna scholars.
5. It is also called the “Deficient Vehicle”, the “Abandoned Vehicle”, Sthavirvāda or Theravāda meaning “doctrine of elders”.
6. Hinayāna stresses on righteous action and law of karma.
7. The Hinayāna ideal is Arhat, the one who strives for his own redemption.
8. Hinayāna regards Buddha as a man of extraordinary knowledge, but just a man, therefore, does not worship him.
9. It is developed around the acts of Buddha.
10. Hinayāna believes in salvation by works, that each man should work for his own salvation.
11. Hinayāna scriptures are written in Pāli, and founded on the Tripitakas.
12. Hinayāna or Theravāda traditions are followed in Sri Lanka, Laos, Cambodia, other South-east Asian countries.
13. Hinayāna Buddhists believe that only the people who go to Nirvāṇa the Hinayāna way (small vehicle) will reach Nirvāṇa all the other ways of reaching Nirvāṇa are wrong and won’t reach Nirvāṇa.
14. In Hinayāna the conception of non-ego anātman is that the conglomeration of five elements (skandhas), which are constantly changing (anitya) or momentary (kṣaṇika).
15. In Hinayāna, its followers are known as Śrāvakas, who seek arhathood, and at the end of life-span, Nirvāṇa.
16. In Hinayāna the laity is mainly supporters of the Saṅgha by making gifts of food, robes and by erecting monasteries for the residence of monks. They are mere listeners to the discourses delivered by the monks and observers of the five precepts and occasionally of the eight precepts temporarily.