A form of Buddhism that sees an immediate goal in following the ways of the Bodhisattva (an enlightened, extremely compassionate person) in leading all beings to liberation.

one of two great schools of Buddhist doctrine emphasizing a common search for universal salvation especially through faith alone; the dominant religion of China and Tibet and Japan

A form of Buddhism that stresses universal salvation and compassion for others rather than the pursuit of individual perfection.

(Sanskrit "great vehicle") A development within Buddhism in which the ultimate goal is taken to be the liberation of all sentient beings from the cycle of confusion and suffering, rather than merely one's own liberation.

Mahayana means "The Great Raft" or "The Great Vehicle." It is the largest and most influential of the three main forms of Buddhism (the other two being Theravada and Vajrayana ). It is practiced in China, Japan, Korea and Vietnam. Vajrayana derived from it and shares many similarities with it. Mahayana emphasizes the idea of the bodhisattva over that of the arhat. The goal of an individual is therefore not to pass out of this world into nirvana, but to attain enlightenment--with the wisdom, understanding and power that goes with it--and then to show compassion by returning to this world to help those in need. Amitabha Buddha did this to establish Pure Land Buddhism. In comparison to Theravada, Mahayana Buddhism emphasizes the help that gods and bodhisattvas can give to people to help them escape samsara. It has elaborate descriptions of how this works and emphasizes prayers and rituals that enable people to seek this help. Zen is another branch of Mahayana Buddhism.

(Skt) "Great vehicle or path"; Northern school of Buddhism.