(n)an offensive name for the early conservative Theravada Buddhism; it died out in India but survived in Sri Lanka and was taken from there to other regions of southwestern Asia, Syn.Hinayana Buddhism
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English (GCIDE) v.0.53Collaborative International Dictionary (GCIDE)
n. 1. a major school of Buddhism teaching personal salvation through one's own efforts. [ WordNet 1.5 ]
2. one of two great schools of Buddhist doctrine emphasizing personal salvation through one's own efforts; chiefly in Sri Lanka (Ceylon); Myanmar (Burma); Thailand; Cambodia. [ WordNet 1.5 ]