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

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

Word History

Etymology

Sanskrit mahāyāna, literally, great vehicle

First Known Use

1855, in the meaning defined above