Why is the term Hinayana considered misleading when describing non-Mahayana Buddhist traditions?

The term Hinayana, which translates to "Lesser Vehicle," is considered misleading because it lacks a historical basis and does not accurately represent any specific sect of Buddhism, such as the Theravada tradition.1

In the context of Mahayana, the term was historically used within certain scriptures as a polemical device to criticize opinions deemed deviant or unacceptable. Because it was employed to establish the perceived superiority of Mahayana teachings, it functions as a rhetorical contrast rather than a neutral descriptor for non-Mahayana traditions.1

Furthermore, the distinction between Mahayana and other Buddhist traditions is not a binary opposition. Mahayana is better understood as a movement of a different logical order that often shares monastic foundations and mutual influences with other schools. Consequently, applying the label "Hinayana" to non-Mahayana Buddhism is inaccurate, as it has no real-world referent and fails to capture the complex, non-oppositional relationship between these various Buddhist paths.12