Mahayana

noun

Ma·​ha·​ya·​na ˌmä-hə-ˈyä-nə 

: 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

Mahayanist

ˌmä-hə-ˈyä-nist 

noun or adjective

Mahayanistic

ˌmä-hə-yä-ˈni-stik 

adjective

Examples of Mahayana in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

His family honored their Chinese culture and practiced Mahayana Buddhism. — Beth Wood, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Apr. 2026

In Mahayana and Tibetan Buddhism, there are more buddhas than just the single historical Buddha (Gautama or Shakyamuni Buddha), and Vairochana is considered to be the supreme and cosmic form of the Buddha, of which the others are emanations. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 1 Apr. 2026

An order of nuns still survives in China, Japan, Korea and Vietnam, where Mahayana Buddhism is practiced. — Megan Bryson, The Conversation, 6 May 2025

An overnight cruise around Ashtamudi Lake on the hotel’s Mahayana houseboat, a two-bedroom vessel with hotel trappings, is a worthwhile experience. — Prasad Ramamurthy, Travel + Leisure, 15 Sep. 2024

In a place as spiritual as Bhutan—where 75 to 80 percent of its less than 800,000-person population are Mahayana Buddhist—meditation and temple visits were the main reason for visitors. — Katie Lockhart, Robb Report, 12 Dec. 2023

Furthermore, Mahayana Buddhists believe bodhisattvas choose to be reborn, to experience the pain and suffering of the world, in order to help other beings attain enlightenment. — Brooke Schedneck, The Conversation, 30 Mar. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Sanskrit mahāyāna, literally, great vehicle

First Known Use

1855, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for Mahayana

• avifauna
• hinayana
• macrofauna
• majorana
• marianna
• marihuana
• marijuana
• microfauna
• ana
• bwana
• dhyana
• donna