<p>Where does the terms 'Hinayana' and 'Mahayana' come from? Who made them up?</p>

<p>They are often translated as "lesser vehicle" and "greater vehicle". I wonder about this translation. Is it correct? I think it sounds a bit degrading, as if Mahayana is somehow greater or better than Hinayana. </p>

<p>Are there better terms with which to speak about what is generally called 'Hinayana' and 'Mahayana'? </p>

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2015-12-01T17:33:15.023Z
This question could be on-topic here, but there's already a topic [Is there a better term than Hinayana that we should be using?](http://meta.buddhism.stackexchange.com/q/231/254) on meta.
ChrisW
<mahayana><hinayana>
Alternatives to the terms 'Hinayana' and 'Mahayana'?
# Alternatives to the terms 'Hinayana' and 'Mahayana'?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2015-12-01)

Where does the terms 'Hinayana' and 'Mahayana' come from? Who made them up?

They are often translated as "lesser vehicle" and "greater vehicle". I wonder about this translation. Is it correct? I think it sounds a bit degrading, as if Mahayana is somehow greater or better than Hinayana.

Are there better terms with which to speak about what is generally called 'Hinayana' and 'Mahayana'?

**Tags:** mahayana, hinayana

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: This question could be on-topic here, but there's already a topic [Is there a better term than Hinayana that we should be using?](http://meta.buddhism.stackexchange.com/q/231/254) on meta.  

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