Who were considered as 'theravadins'?

Answer & explanation

Correct answer: option 2

The correct answer is Option (2) → Those who followed the path of old, respected teachers.

Option (1) Those who could ensure salvation. — Incorrect. As the Mahayana tradition grew, the idea of a saviour emerged: he was believed to be the one who could ensure salvation. This describes the saviour, not the theravadins.

Option (2) Those who followed the path of old, respected teachers. — Correct. Followers of the older tradition described themselves as theravadins, that is, those who followed the path of old, respected teachers, the theras.

Option (3) Those who accumulated merit through their efforts. — Incorrect. The Bodhisattas of the Mahayana tradition were seen as deeply compassionate beings who accumulated merit through their efforts.

Option (4) Those who could abandon the world. — Incorrect. The phrase comes from the account of the Bodhisattas, who used their merit not to attain nibbana and thereby abandon the world, but to help others. Abandoning the world is not what the word theravadin means.

NCERT (2026-27): “10.1 The development of Mahayana Buddhism … However, gradually the idea of a saviour emerged. It was believed that he was the one who could ensure salvation. Simultaneously, the concept of the Bodhisatta also developed. Bodhisattas were perceived as deeply compassionate beings who accumulated merit through their efforts but used this not to attain nibbana and thereby abandon the world, but to help others. The worship of images of the Buddha and Bodhisattas became an important part of this tradition. This new way of thinking was called Mahayana – literally, the ‘great vehicle’. Those who adopted these beliefs described the older tradition as Hinayana or the ‘lesser vehicle’.

Hinayana or Theravada? … Supporters of Mahayana regarded other Buddhists as followers of Hinayana. However, followers of the older tradition described themselves as theravadins, that is, those who followed the path of old, respected teachers, the theras.…”