Mahayana
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Ma·ha·ya·na
(mä′hə-yä′nə)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.
[Sanskrit Mahāyānam, greater vehicle (as contrasted with Hīnayānam, lesser vehicle; see Hinayana) : mahā-, great; see meg- in Indo-European roots + yānam, vehicle; see ei- in Indo-European roots.]
Ma′ha·ya′nist n.
Ma′ha·ya·nis′tic adj.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Mahayana
(ˌmɑːhəˈjɑːnə)n
(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]
ˌMahaˈyanist n
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
Ma•ha•ya•na
(ˌmɑ həˈyɑ nə)n.
one of the two major schools of Buddhism, characterized by a belief in a common search for salvation. Compare Hinayana.
[1865–70; < Skt =mahā- great + yāna vehicle]
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
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Noun | 1. | ![]() 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. | ![]() 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 |
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