The term Hinayana and Mahayana.VIETNAMESE TRANSLATE ENGLISH BY=THICH CHAN TANH.AUSTRALIA,SYDNEY.

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The term Hinayana (Hinayana,  theg-dman , Hinayana, midsize vehicle) and Mahayana (Mahayana,  theg-chen , Mahayana, great chariot), first appeared in the Sutra of Sutra Most (Prajnaparamita Sutras,  Sher-phyin mdo , Ultra-Wisdom Sutra, Perfect Wisdom), around the second century of the modern era. These sutras are among the earliest Mahayana texts, and they use these two terms to affirm the breadth of the teachings in the scriptures, far beyond the teachings of the Buddhist schools. the previous face.

Although these two terms are sectarian and appear only in Mahayana texts, it is difficult to find other meaningful terms to replace them. "Hinayana" has become a general term for eighteen sects of Buddhism, only one of which still exists today, which is Theravada Buddhism (Theravada). Similarly, "Mahayana" also expanded into several sects. When the Indian-Tibetan tradition studies and discusses the Theravada philosophical systems, their references are based on Bhikshu (Sabbhashika) and Sautrantika, ie the First Sect. Friendship Set (Sarvastivada), another sect among eighteen sects. Because there are some Theravada sects appearing later than Mahayana, we cannot call Hinayana "Early Buddhism" or "Buddhism".

Theravada Buddhism is now found in Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia. The Dharmagupta (Dharmagupta), another sect among the eighteen Tongo sects, spread to Central Asia and China. The Chinese monastic tradition follows the same precepts as that of the Vinaya. In addition, Mahayana has spread to Indonesia, although no longer exists here. Therefore, calling the Hinayana as "Southern Buddhism" and Mahayana as "Northern Buddhism" is also not satisfactory.

Both sects of Theravada and Mahayana outline the paths for shravakas (those who listen to the Buddha's teachings) and Poisonous Buddha (pratyekabuddhas) (self-realized ones) to reach the state. the pure state of an Arhat (sentient being), and for the bodhisattvas to attain Buddhahood. Therefore, if the Theravada is called "Thanh Van Thua" ("Shravakayana") and the Mahayana is "excess Bodhisattva" ("Bodhisattvayana"), it will cause confusion.

Therefore, although practitioners of Theravada Buddhism may feel uncomfortable because of the terms Mahayana and Mahayana, we will use them reluctantly to refer to the classification of Buddhist sects. , although there are inaccuracies of these terms as mentioned above. END=NAM MO SAKYAMUNI BUDDHA.( 3 TIMES ).VIETNAMESE BUDDHIST NUN=THICH CHAN TANH.GOLDEN AMITABHA MONASTERY=AUSTRALIA,SYDNEY.27/2/2019.