Hinayana & Mahayana
A Yana is a vehicle. A Hinayana is a lesser vehicle while a Mahayan is a Great vehicle.
Hinayana:
Also called "Deficient Vehicle", the "Abandoned Vehicle", or the "Defective Vehicle". It believes in the original teaching of Buddha. Don't believe in Idol Worship and try to attain individual salvation through self discipline and meditation. Stharvivada or Thervada is a Hinayana sect, which follows the "doctrine of elders". AsokaAshokavardhana or Asoka was governor of Taxila and Ujjain during the reign of his father Bindusara. The Sri Lankan texts represent Asoka as "wading through ..... Patronized Hinayan and Pali the language of masses was use by the Hinayan scholars.
Mahayana:
This sect believes in the heavenliness of Buddha and believes in Idol Worship. It is also called BodhisattvaA Bodhisattva means one who has essence of enlightment. Anyone who has a spontaneous wish to attain Buddhahood for the benefit of all is a ..... Vehicle. Mahāyāna Buddhism spread from India to China, Japan, Vietnam, Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, Nepal, Tibet, Bhutan, and Mongolia. Zen, Pure Land, Tiantai, and Nichiren, Shingon and Tibetan Buddhism are traditions of Mahayana. Fundamental principles of Mahāyāna doctrine were based on the possibility of universal liberation from suffering for all beings (hence the "Great Vehicle") and the existence of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas embodying Buddha Nature. It allows salvation to be alternatively obtained through the grace of the Amitābha Buddha by having faith and devoting oneself to mindfulness of the Buddha. Believes in Mantras.
Major Difference between Hinayana & Mahayana:
Both adopt one and the same Vinaya, and they have in common the prohibitions of the five offenses, and also the practice of the Four Noble Truths. Those who venerate the bodhisattvas and read the Mahāyāna sutras are called the Mahāyānists, while those who do not perform these are called the Hīnayānists
