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Q65 (CAPF/2013) History & Culture › Culture, Literature, Religion & Philosophy › Buddhist doctrine and sects Answer Verified

The significant difference between Mahayana and Hinayana forms of Buddhism lay in that

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Your answer: —  Â·  Correct: A
Explanation

The fundamental distinction between Mahayana and Hinayana (Theravada) lies in their soteriological goals and methods. Mahayana Buddhism introduced the concept of 'transference of merit' (parinamana), where a practitioner or Bodhisattva can transfer their accumulated spiritual merit to help others achieve liberation. In contrast, Hinayana emphasizes individual effort, where a person can only assist others through example and advice. While both traditions recognize the term 'Bodhisattva', Mahayana elevated it to a universal ideal where practitioners vow to save all sentient beings before entering Nirvana [2]. Hinayana focuses on the 'Arhat' (the worthy), who seeks personal liberation from the cycle of rebirth. Furthermore, Mahayana developed the notion of a 'saviour' figure, similar to the bhakti traditions in Hinduism, whereas Hinayana views the Buddha primarily as a historical teacher rather than a deity.

Sources

  1. [2] THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART I, History CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings > 10.2 The growth of Puranic Hinduism > p. 104
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