​Hinayana and Mahayana are the branches of which of the following religion?

Correct option is A

The correct answer is: (a) Buddhism

Explanation:

• Hinayana and Mahayana are the two major branches of Buddhism.

  • Hinayana, meaning "lesser vehicle," focuses on the individual’s path to enlightenment, and it is primarily practiced in Sri Lanka, Thailand, and other Southeast Asian countries.

  • Mahayana, meaning "greater vehicle," focuses on universal salvation, and it is predominant in China, Japan, Korea, and other East Asian countries.

Information Booster:
• Hinayana emphasizes personal liberation through meditation and the following of the Eightfold Path.
• Mahayana is more inclusive, advocating for the salvation of all beings and focusing on the Bodhisattva ideal, where individuals seek enlightenment for the benefit of all sentient beings.
• Buddhism originated in India with Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha) in the 6th century BCE.
• Mahayana Buddhism also incorporates a broader range of scriptures and practices compared to Hinayana.

Additional Information:
• Hinayana is sometimes seen as a more conservative or orthodox form of Buddhism, while Mahayana is viewed as more liberal and expansive.
• The term Hinayana was coined by Mahayana Buddhists and is sometimes considered pejorative; Theravada Buddhism is the modern-day representative of the Hinayana tradition.