Question

Which of the following is another me for Hiya Buddhism ?

• A. Vajraya
• B. Mahaya
• C. Theravada
• D. Zen

Hint:

Major branches of Buddhism: - Theravada Hiya: Traditiol, focused on elders' teachings and mostic paths (Pali language). - Mahaya: "Greater Vehicle", worships Buddha as a deity, introduces Bodhisattvas (Sanskrit language). - Vajraya: Tantric Buddhism domint in Tibet.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Concept: Following the death of the Buddha, divisions over mostic discipline and doctrine led to the formation of multiple schools within Buddhism. This culmited in a major split during the Fourth Buddhist Council into two main branches: Hiya and Mahaya.

Step 1: Understanding the Hiya branch.
The term *Hiya* (literally, "Lesser Vehicle") was historically used by newer schools to describe the traditiol, orthodox branch of Buddhism. This orthodox group focused on strict mostic discipline and individual self-purification to achieve Arhatship.

Step 2: Identifying the surviving school and its altertive me.
The oldest surviving mostic school of this orthodox tradition is Theravada (literally, "The School of the Elders"). It relies strictly on the Pali Canon and remains the domint form of Buddhism practiced today across Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia. Thus, Theravada is closely associated with Hiya Buddhism. This makes Option (C) the correct answer.