Hinayana

Name applied by followers of Mahayana Buddhism to the ancient, more orthodox schools of Buddhism predating the rise of Mahayana ideas. Although the name reflects the Mahayanists' evaluation of their own traditions as a superior model, surpassing other schools in its universal benevolence, it is not used by the conservative schools as a proper term referring to the common tradition of Buddhism. Modern upholders of the ancient Hinayana tradition are called Theravadins (followers of the Way of the Elders) and practice Theravada Buddhism.