There are several synonymous words with the term "Theravada" which is a type of Buddhism. The Theravada school of Buddhism is also known as the "Doctrine of the Elders" and "Southern Buddhism." It is the oldest surviving branch of Buddhism. The term Theravada comes from the Sanskrit word "Sthaviravada," which means "Teachings of the Elders." The school is also called the Hinayana, which means "Small Vehicle," as opposed to the Mahayana or the "Great Vehicle." Theravada is also known as the Pali tradition, as the Pali language is used to preserve the original Buddhist scriptures. The school is also called the Nikaya tradition, as it is based on the collection of early Buddhist scriptures known as the Pali Canon.