What we in China mainly accept is Mahayana Buddhist thoughts, such as the Prajna Sutra, the Lotus Sutra, the Avatamsaka Sutra, the Amitabha Sutra, the Vimalakirti Sutra, etc. These are all very popular Buddhist scriptures in China and all belong to the Mahayana Sutra.

What we in China mainly accept is Mahayana Buddhist thoughts, such as the Prajna Sutra, the Lotus Sutra, the Avatamsaka Sutra, the Amitabha Sutra , the Vimalakirti , etc. These are all very popular Buddhist scriptures in China and all belong to the Mahayana Sutra. Theravada Buddhism was also popular in China, and it gradually declined in Sui and Tang . Today, Hinayana Buddhism is mainly circulated in Sri Lanka, Thailand, Myanmar, Laos , Cambodia and other countries, and belongs to Theravada Buddhism.

If you want to compare the difference between Mahayana Buddhism and Hinayana Buddhism, you can list these more important aspects.

First: Buddha View

Hinayana or Original Buddhism period, Theravada used to regard Buddha as a historical figure and a saint. The Mahayana has completely regarded the Buddha as a god, so in Chinese culture, the image of Buddha and many stories about Buddha have boundless magic power, which is closely related to the Mahayana.

2: The ideal pursued

Hinayana Buddhism emphasizes more on personal liberation. Hinayana Buddhism believes that one must practice it himself and even become a monk and live a life of begging. Mahayana Buddhism proposes to save all sentient beings, and precisely because the ideals pursued are different, the ways of their practice are also different. Hinayana Buddhism emphasizes seclusion and abstinence and adheres to the doctrines of primitive Buddhism, while Mahayana Buddhism has a kind of freedom to play, emphasizing facing reality and integrating into society.

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3: On the way to practice Taoism

Hinayana Buddhism advocates that sentient beings save themselves, and everyone can enter Nirvana through practicing Taoism, but everyone cannot become a Buddha. Mahayana Buddhism advocates not only saving oneself, but also saving others, believing that as long as you believe in it devoutly, everyone can become a Buddha. Mahayana Buddhism also advocates that believers can be lay Buddhists, live their family life as usual, and cultivate merit through giving. As long as they recite the Buddha's name sincerely, they can transcend the samsara.