In Buddhism, those who followed the path of old, respected teachers d…

In Buddhism, those who followed the path of old, respected teachers described themselves as ______.

Answer & explanation

Correct answer: option 3

The correct answer is Option (3) → Theravadins

Option (1) Mahayanists — Incorrect. Mahayana, the “great vehicle”, was the new way of thinking in which the Buddha was worshipped as a saviour and images of the Buddha and Bodhisattas were worshipped. Its followers did not follow the older path.

Option (2) Hinayanists — Incorrect. Hinayana, the “lesser vehicle”, was the name the supporters of Mahayana gave to the older tradition. It is not what the followers of the older tradition called themselves.

Option (3) Theravadins — Correct. Followers of the older tradition described themselves as theravadins, those who followed the path of old, respected teachers, the theras.

Option (4) Bodhisattas — Incorrect. Bodhisattas were seen in the Mahayana tradition as deeply compassionate beings who accumulated merit through their efforts and used it not to attain nibbana but to help others. They were figures of worship, not a name for the followers of the old teachers.

Note: A same/similar question was asked in CUET (UG) in the papers below.

2026	2025	2024	2023	2022
–	29-05 S1	–	14-06 S1* 22-06 S3*	–

* A similar question.

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.…”