The Major and most highlighted differences between both sects are:
Hinayana; the oldest of the both is actually a sect in which Lord Buddha is worshipped as a great philosophical teacher...but he is not been elaborated as a God.
Mahayana; which is divided later from the Theravada ( Hinayana sect) in which Buddha is worshipped as a God and his pictures would had been placed in the temples devoted to him.

Did you know a fact?
Today Buddism is vanished from India because some part of reason which the Indian followers of Mahayana Buddhism thought later that there is no difference between Hinduism and Buddhism...so why we follow Buddhism? Hinduism is better. From that event of knowing, There would started the vanishing of Buddhism from the country...and there is another reason behind it...Many buddhist monasteries were been ruined by causes and Buddhists were forced to flew from the country.

Hope that this will help you!!

Mahayana vs Hinayana Buddhism: Understanding the Differences

Introduction:
Buddhism, one of the major religions in the world, has two main branches: Mahayana and Hinayana (also known as Theravada). While they share the same fundamental teachings of the Buddha, there are significant differences in their beliefs, practices, and goals. Let's delve into the details of these two branches of Buddhism.

Mahayana Buddhism:
- Mahayana, meaning "Great Vehicle," is the larger of the two branches and is prevalent in East Asia, including China, Japan, and Korea.
- Emphasizes the concept of Bodhisattva, who is an enlightened being committed to helping others achieve enlightenment.
- Believes in the existence of multiple Buddhas and Bodhisattvas who can be worshipped and relied upon for guidance and assistance.
- Considers the ultimate goal as attaining Buddhahood for the benefit of all sentient beings.
- Advocates the practice of compassion and loving-kindness towards all beings.
- Encourages the use of skillful means (upaya) to adapt Buddhist teachings to different cultures and individuals.
- Recognizes the importance of meditation but also emphasizes the importance of faith and devotion.
- Supports the idea of the interconnectedness of all beings and the possibility of liberation for everyone.
- Places importance on the Lotus Sutra and other Mahayana scriptures.

Hinayana (Theravada) Buddhism:
- Hinayana, meaning "Lesser Vehicle," is the older of the two branches and is prevalent in Sri Lanka, Thailand, Cambodia, and other Southeast Asian countries.
- Emphasizes the individual's path to enlightenment and personal liberation (nirvana).
- Focuses on the monastic life as the ideal path for attaining enlightenment.
- Believes in the existence of only one Buddha, Gautama Buddha, and does not worship or rely on external deities.
- Considers the ultimate goal as attaining arhatship, which is the state of complete liberation from suffering.
- Advocates the practice of mindfulness and meditation as the primary means of attaining enlightenment.
- Places importance on the Pali Canon (Tripitaka) as the most authoritative scripture.
- Emphasizes the importance of personal effort, self-discipline, and renunciation.
- Views the world as impermanent and suffering, seeking to transcend it through individual effort.

Conclusion:
While Mahayana and Hinayana Buddhism share a common foundation, their differences lie in their emphasis, practices, and goals. Mahayana emphasizes the enlightenment of all beings, the existence of multiple Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, and the use of skillful means, while Hinayana focuses on individual liberation, the monastic path, and personal effort. Both branches offer unique perspectives and approaches to the path of Buddhism, catering to the diverse needs and aspirations of practitioners worldwide.