What is the difference between Mahayana Buddhism and Hinayana Buddhism?

Hinayana Buddhism is also called Hinayana Buddhism. It is not derogatory to use it in academic circles today. Also known as "quadratic method", there are "audio-visual multiplication" and "edge-visual multiplication". Its main classics are classics, laws and works formed in various schools later. Hinayana Buddhism was once quite popular in China. Zen mathematics, which was first popular in China, and then Tianbi Tanxue, Shicheng Xuexue and Jushe Xuexue all belong to Hinayana. China's jurisprudence and the Legalist School founded in the Tang Dynasty are based on Hinayana fingering. At present, Hinayana Buddhism is mainly popular in countries such as Sri Lanka, Thailand, Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia in South and Southeast Asia. They call themselves "Buddhism first" and don't accept the title of "Hinayana". Buddhism in China and Yunnan also belongs to this system.

After the death of Sakyamuni, the founder of Buddhism, many different factions have formed in Buddhism due to different understanding and interpretation of Sakyamuni's teachings. According to the different teachings and the order of formation, it can be summarized into two basic factions: Mahayana and Hinayana.

"Cheng" is a free translation of Sanskrit yana (pronounced "Yan Na"), which refers to the means of transportation, and is a metaphor of Buddhism helping all beings, just as boats and cars can carry people from here to there. Hinayana Buddhism (pronounced "Hinayana") first appeared (about the first century AD), which had a great influence on the previous primitive Buddhism (referring to Buddhism handed down by Sakyamuni and his three or four disciples) and sectarianism (referring to the fourth century BC to the first century AD). For example, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia and other countries in South Asia and Southeast Asia called Hinayana Buddhism.

The difference between Mahayana Buddhism and Hinayana Buddhism can be mainly investigated from two aspects: belief revision and doctrinal theory.

First of all, in terms of belief revision, Hinayana Buddhism takes Sakyamuni as its leader, believing that there can only be one Buddha in the world, that is, Sakyamuni, but not two at the same time. Believers can achieve Arhat grosvenor (breaking the troubles of the Three Realms and transcending the cycle of life and death) and exorcising Buddha fruit (realizing the Twelve Destinies and gaining the Tao) through religious and moral cultivation such as "Eight Meanings", but they can't become Buddhas. Mahayana Buddhism believes that there are countless ten buddhas in the third world, and Sakyamuni is one of them. Believers can achieve Buddha fruit (called "Bodhisattva", which means sentient beings with great consciousness) by practicing the "six degrees" of Bodhisattva (giving, keeping precepts, enduring humiliation, diligence, meditation and wisdom), and expand the scope of becoming a Buddha. In addition, Mahayana Buddhism demands to eliminate one's troubles immediately, pursue one's self-liberation, proceed from life and death, take greed as the root and destroy one's body and mind as the ultimate goal. Pure natural, so Mahayana Buddhism laughed at him for "self-defeating". Mahayana Buddhism claims that Buddhism is compassionate, aiming at becoming a Buddha to save the world and establishing a pure land of Buddhism. In his view, it takes countless lives and deaths to repair the certificate, aiming at "Maha Prajna" (great wisdom) and achieving "Atadoro's three virtues and three bodhis" (no comprehension). In addition to cutting off all troubles, he should aim at saving all sentient beings. Therefore, from his birth, he also stressed the need to adapt to the world and open the door of generosity to extradite all beings.

Secondly, from the perspective of doctrine, the general tendency of Hinayana Buddhism is that "there is no law", that is, it only denies the reality of man and me, but not the reality of law. Mahayana Buddhism not only advocates that man has no ego, but also thinks that law has no ego, that is, it denies the reality of law at the same time. The theoretical analysis of Mahayana Buddhism's "Buddhism without self" can be divided into two schools: one is the early Mahayana Buddhism (about the first century to the fifth century A.D.), and the other is the middle school founded by Longshu and Tibo (called Mahayana Kongzong in China). This paper mainly expounds the theory of "emptiness of nature" in various laws, that is, all phenomena (laws) are born because of karma (various conditions), and there is no self, so they are empty. But this emptiness is not nothingness, and its false phenomenon still exists. The so-called false existence is based on the theravada theory, which holds that all laws are true in concept, that is, all laws are just a "pseudonym". Long Shu and Tipo believe that it is neither "real" nor "virtual" to analyze various laws with this theory, which is the so-called "middle view". Second, Mahayana Buddhism in the middle period (5th to 6th century AD), a school of yoga founded by Wu Zhu and his relatives (called Mahayana Sect in China). This paper mainly expounds the theory that "all laws are only knowledge", that is, all phenomena originate from "Aryan knowledge" (also known as the eighth knowledge, hidden knowledge, etc. ), and Aryan knowledge can produce all laws. That is to say, they think that all laws exist in cognition, and cognition is nothing more than the separation of mind and consciousness, so the whole universe has no entity except all kinds of cognition, so it is called "all laws are only cognition". After the 7th century AD, Indian Buddhism began to decline, and Tantric Buddhism (later Mahayana) took its place, which was of no significance.

In addition, Mahayana Buddhism has its own classic collection as the basis for argument. The main Chinese versions of Hinayana Buddhism are: Long Agama, China Han Jing, Zeng Yi Agama, Zaagama, etc. The main classics of Mahayana Buddhism are: Mahayana Sutra, Mighty Lotus Sutra, Huayan Sutra, Nirvana Sutra, Great Wisdom Theory, Middle Theory (made by Dragon Tree), Yoga Teacher's Theory of Land (made by Maitreya), Mahayana Theory (not made) and Mahayana Theory.

Buddhism was introduced into China at the end of the Western Han Dynasty and the beginning of the Eastern Han Dynasty (about the first century A.D.), and it was not until the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty that a large number of Buddhist scriptures were translated. At that time, there were two famous translators, An Shigao and Zhi Lou Gao Jia. Ann translated a large number of Mahayana classics, and Zhi translated a large number of Mahayana classics, which had considerable influence in society. So in China, Mahayana Buddhism was introduced almost at the same time. But as far as the development of Buddhism in China is concerned, it is mainly the development of Mahayana Buddhism. Although Hinayana Buddhism has some schools and scholars, it has not been further developed. The various classics, teaching methods and precepts of Hinayana Buddhism are for reference only.

Mahayana Buddhism has been creatively developed in China. Influenced by metaphysics at that time, Mahayana Kongzong Prajna in the Eastern Jin Dynasty was very popular in the society, and there were as many explanations for Prajna's "theory of emptiness" as "six schools and seven schools". In his works, Seng Zhao, a famous monk in the Eastern Jin Dynasty, commented on the gains and losses of various theories such as "things are motionless" and "there is no vacuum", and made a popular and accurate exposition of the Mahayana mean thought represented by Dragon Tree. This school developed into the Sui Dynasty, and formed the "Three Schools" represented by Ji Zang (based on the classics of Dragon Tree's Lun Lun, Twelve Schools and Shi Po's Hundred Schools), which basically inherited the Indian thought of Mahayana Middle School (Empty School). In the early Tang Dynasty, Xuanzang, a famous monk, went west to seek the Dharma. After returning to China, he vigorously advocated the idea of "no literature, modern times", translated 30 pieces and 10 pieces of "The Theory of Consciousness" by Nando, the dharma protector, and Kui Ji, the eldest disciple, wrote "The Theory of Consciousness" and established a "school of knowledge", which was basically inherited from India.

In addition, the Tiantai Sect formed in the Sui Chen period and the Huayan Sect founded in the middle Tang Dynasty can no longer be framed simply by the original viewpoint of Indian Mahayana Buddhism. Because in their theory, they absorbed the views of Mahayana School, and even China's Taoism and Confucianism, and became a Buddhist sect with China characteristics. Of course, if Tiantai Sect is based on the classic Lotus Sutra, it can also be said that Kongzong has a little more color. Hua Yan Zong is a classic adapted from Hua Yan Jing, so it can be said that some schools have stronger colors. As for the sects such as "Zen" and "Pure Land Sect" formed in the middle Tang Dynasty, they are unprecedented for Indian Buddhism, and they are all Mahayana Buddhism sects founded by Buddhists in China. They have popular and concise teachings, extensive integration and adaptability, and have had a far-reaching impact in the feudal society of China. Mahayana tantra was also introduced to China in the middle of the Tang Dynasty, and then developed mainly in Tibet, Inner Mongolia and other regions, and has been passed down to this day.

Mahayana Buddhism is also called Mahayana Buddhism, referred to as Mahayana for short, and Sanskrit transliterates Mahayana and Mahayana. It is named because it claims to be able to carry countless sentient beings from this side of the river of life and death to the other side of Bodhi Nirvana and achieve Buddha fruit. It also degraded primitive Buddhism and sectarian Buddhism as "Hinayana" or "Ercheng". Mahayana Buddhism introduced from India (that is, Buddhism introduced to the north) mainly refers to the Sino-Tibetan Buddhism in China.

Buddhist factions. It was formed in India around 1 century, and then spread to Central Asia, China, Japan, North Korea, Viet Nam, Indonesia and even Sri Lanka. It is the mainstream of northern Buddhism. Mahayana thought is rooted in some early schools, but there are also many theoretical creations, such as not only saying that people have no self, but also saying that there is no self; It emphasizes that the ideal of bodhisattva is better than that of arhat, and advocates that everyone can become a Buddha with bodhicitta. Mahayana ethics advocates compassion for all sentient beings, urges people to repay others with merits and so on.

Characteristic Mahayana also includes two parts: theory and practice. As the theory of preparatory kung fu, I think about the basic structure and the principle of existence. His pursuit of the highest experience and practice can be traced back to the Indian yoga tradition. The purpose of this meditation is to eliminate the separation of mind and achieve the absolute state of seeing nothing and experiencing unspeakable things. Rational activity called Prajnaparamita Wisdom is encouraged, but it still aims to guide the cognition of emptiness. Nirvana in Mahayana theory is not only the death or transcendence of reincarnation, but also the realm of Buddha, so it can also be called dharma body, Buddha nature, truth and so on. , which is what we call absolute or natural body. Nirvana is an omniscient existence. Buddhism believes that it is not some kind of knowledge in the world, but a clear mind, reflecting the birth and death of everything in the world without its influence. This state is also the emptiness that tantric practitioners seek in their own hearts. Through meditation, practitioners can have countless Buddhas in front of them, because emptiness is the mother of all living beings, and secret spells and classics like Dalagni are legally absorbed into Mahayana.

Pure Land of Amitabha Buddha (mural of Potala Palace in Tibet)

Buddhism, the basic doctrine, is deified in Mahayana Buddhism, forming a universal majority. For example, the Buddha's character can also be seen in Tathagata, Acheng Buddha, Baosheng Buddha, Amitabha Buddha and so on. Some buddhas are believed to have revealed some new doctrines and rituals. Amitabha is the center of pure land belief, which combines the religious concepts of India and Iran. The Flame Buddha is the first of the twenty-four Buddhas before Gautama, which embodies the concept of God King in Iran and ancient Central Asia. The development of Mahayana is accompanied by the popularity of simile sutra and strange sutra. It is believed that the teachings of Buddha are not unique, but should have different levels, because the roots of believers are different from their homes. Gautama is no longer a sage of Sakyamuni in history, but a Buddha in the world. Bodhisattva is the ideal of Mahayana Buddhism, and its basic premise is to cultivate bodhicitta, vow not to enter nirvana to benefit all beings, practice ten paramita and go through ten hard practices. The first six places are still in the preliminary preparation stage. Although more than seven places have defects, they have become Buddhas and will not look back. The tenth place is the waiting order of becoming a Buddha in the next life. The three-body theory of Buddha is the main topic of Mahayana theory. 3. As a transformant, beneficiary and self. Transformation refers to the Buddha body that should be revealed in order to free all beings; Beneficiary refers to the body that can enjoy dharma music and show merits to the ten bodhisattvas after practicing Buddhism; Self-nature is the dharma body as noumenon. Dharma bodies have appeared in early Beijing temples. Many Mahayana classics say that there are countless Buddhas, but they all agree that their essence is the same dharma body. Buddhism is the same as inaction, so it is no different from Bodhi and Nirvana. The original classic of Mahayana Buddhism is believed to be told by Sakyamuni Buddha or other buddhas for heaven and man. Those who are qualified to listen to these classics are Wensheng and Bodhisattva. The mystery of the classic itself is also the nature of the later period. It is said that it is preserved in the snow-capped mountains or the Dragon Palace and will not be shown to people until the time is ripe. Because of this, its authority is beyond doubt.

A guiding bodhisattva that leads all beings into the pure land.

The sects and schools that advocate Mahayana Buddhism include Zhongzong and Yoga, as well as other sects based on classics or formed due to differences in practice concepts, such as Faxiang Sect, Huayan Sect, Pure Land Sect, Sanlun Sect and Zen Sect. They represent the evolution result of Mahayana thought spreading from Indian to China and Japanese for more than 1000 years. The ideological basis of the Chinese school is the Prajna Sutra, and the representative thinkers are Long Shu and Tipper. According to their works, China's three major essays were later formed. Long Shu's On the Doctrine of the Mean shows the relativity of treating each other from the source, and affirms emptiness and the Doctrine of the Mean from eight aspects of immortality. Look at the origin, emptiness and falsehood from the two truths of secularity and victory over righteousness, and then get the right view of the middle way. Middle school thought influenced Tiantai, Huayan and Zen. In India, the concept of middle school stimulated the emergence of yoga schools. Wu Shu, Qin Shi and so on. Systematize the thought of Shurangama Sutra. His theory can be summarized as three realms of idealism, knowing everything. It describes the illusion of the world and the authenticity of the ontology with the theory of three natures and three asexuals; I think that the process of liberation is nothing more than turning knowledge into wisdom. Advocate to cultivate positive wisdom by practicing yoga kungfu. Yoga school is characterized by yoga visualization and trivial psychological analysis. In China and Japan, this theory is often referred to as "Know Only School" or "Faxiangzong School". The translation of Mahayana in the 6th century was the beginning of the spread of yoga philosophy, and Xuanzang was the founder of China and Japanese Fa Xiang Sect. Xuanzang's academic origin can be traced back to the legal department of Nalanduo Temple. Hua Yanzong's thought is rooted in India, but the establishment of this sect is unique in China. The foundation of this sect is Hua Yan Jing, and its main idea is: Tathagata is the source of all laws in the world, and every moment of dust is as harmonious as the whole and eternity. This leads to Hua Yanzong's cosmology and worldview-the origin of the legal world, and a set of epistemological proof theories about epiphany. Hua Yanzong's thought in China is dominated by the geocentric school based on the Ten Classics (6th century). Tiantai Sect is also a product of the development of Buddhism in China and Japan, but its thoughts can be traced back to the Indian classic Hokkekyo. It should be translated by Kumarajiva and played by Huiwen Huisi, but the real initiator of this case is the wisdom of preaching in Tiantai Mountain. . The essence of "Hokkekyo" can be summarized as "being practical", and the three will be unified into one. However, in the Tiantai Sect system, the Buddha's teachings and theories are summarized as "Five-Eight-Time Teaching". The central doctrine of Tiantai Sect is that there is a difference of three thousand thoughts and three truths are one; Meditation advocates one thought and three views. The classic of Pure Land Sect is Infinite Life Sutra, which appeared in North India in the 2nd century and preached the belief in Infinite Light Buddha and its results. In the 3rd century, this belief spread to China and gradually became an important faction. In Japan, the pure land belief was initially merged with Tiantai Sect, and it was not until the13rd century that it split into a big Sect. Pure land Sect believes that the way out is not to read classics and practice Zen, but mainly to read Buddhism. I don't know what kind of ceremony the pure land belief in India takes, probably nothing more than chanting the name of Buddha or watching Buddha. The most important sect of Mahayana Buddhism is Zen, which has developed in China and Japan for more than 1000 years. The classic basis of Zen Buddhism is Shurangama Sutra and Six Ancestors Tanjing. According to previous scriptures, all living beings have Buddha nature, that is, emptiness. Realizing this truth is bodhi. Buddha's nature or emptiness can't be said, because it is separated from words. Only personal direct evidence can grasp it. Tanjing is the work of Huineng, the sixth ancestor of Zen. After Zen Buddhism, it developed into five schools and seven schools. Among them, Lin Ji and Cao Dong Zen spread to Japan. In Japan, according to Hokkekyo, there is also a Rilian Sect that believes in pure land. Founded in13rd century, it has been passed down to this day.