☸ Tibetan Buddhist Glossary

Hinayana, also known as Theravada, is one of the main schools of Buddhism, which emphasizes the attainment of personal enlightenment through individual effort. It is often contrasted with Mahayana Buddhism, which stresses the importance of compassion and the attainment of enlightenment for the benefit of all beings. In Tibetan Buddhism, Hinayana is considered a foundational level of practice, which provides a basis for more advanced Mahayana and Vajrayana practices. Hinayana teachings focus on the cultivation of wisdom, ethics, and mental discipline.