Main Entry: Ma·ha·ya·na

Pronunciation: \ˌmä-hə-ˈyä-nə\

Function: noun

Etymology: Sanskrit mahāyāna, literally, great vehicle

Date: 1855

: a liberal and theistic branch of Buddhism comprising sects chiefly in China and Japan, recognizing a large body of scripture in addition to the Pali canon, and teaching social concern and universal salvation — compare theravada

— Ma·ha·ya·nist \-ˈyä-nist\ noun or adjective

— Ma·ha·ya·nis·tic \-yä-ˈnis-tik\ adjective