Mahayana

Ma·ha·ya·na  (mäh-yän)

n.

One of the major schools of Buddhism, traditionally active in much of Nepal, Tibet, and East Asia and emphasizing compassion and the possibility of universal salvation.

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[Sanskrit Mahynam, greater vehicle (as contrasted with Hnaynam, lesser vehicle; see Hinayana) : mah-, great; see meg- in Indo-European roots + ynam, vehicle; see ei- in Indo-European roots.]

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Maha·yanist n.

Maha·ya·nistic adj.

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Mahayana [ˌmɑːhəˈjɑːnə]

n

(Non-Christian Religions / Buddhism)

a.  a liberal Buddhist school of Tibet, China, and Japan, whose adherents aim to disseminate Buddhist doctrines, seeking enlightenment not for themselves alone, but for all sentient beings

b.  (as modifier) Mahayana Buddhism

[from Sanskrit, from mahā great + yāna vehicle]

Mahayanist  n

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	Mahayana - a major school of Buddhism teaching social concern and universal salvation; China; Japan; Tibet; Nepal; Korea; Mongolia Buddhism - a religion represented by the many groups (especially in Asia) that profess various forms of the Buddhist doctrine and that venerate Buddha Mahayanist - an adherent of Mahayana Buddhism
	2.	Mahayana - 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 Mahayana Buddhism Buddhism - the teaching of Buddha that life is permeated with suffering caused by desire, that suffering ceases when desire ceases, and that enlightenment obtained through right conduct and wisdom and meditation releases one from desire and suffering and rebirth Yogacara - one of the main traditions of Mahayana Buddhism; holds that the mind is real but that objects are just ideas or states of consciousness