Question

Answer the following briefly
Write above Hinayana and Mahayana.

Answer 1

Hinayana
1. The Hinayana (Lesser Vehicle) was the original creed preached by Buddha.
2. The followers of this form regarded Buddha as their guru and did not worship him as God.
3. They denied idol worship and continued with the people’s language, Pali.
Mahayana
1. In Mahayana (Greater Vehicle), Buddha was worshiped as God and Bodhisattva as his previous avatar.
2. The followers made images and statues of Buddha and Bodhisattva and offered prayers, and recited hymns (mantras) in their praise.
3. They wrote their religious books in Sanskrit. This form of Buddhism was patronised by Kanishka.