Mahayana

[ mah-huh-yah-nuh ]

noun
  1. the later of the two great schools of Buddhism, chiefly in China, Tibet, and Japan, characterized by eclecticism and a general belief in a common search for salvation, sometimes thought to be attainable through faith alone.

Origin of Mahayana

1
1865–70; <Sanskrit, equivalent to mahā- great + yāna vehicle

Other words from Mahayana

  • Ma·ha·ya·nist [mah-huh-yah-nist], /ˌmɑ həˈyɑ nɪst/, noun

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British Dictionary definitions for Mahayana

Mahayana

/ (ˌmɑːhəˈjɑːnə) /


noun
    • 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

    • (as modifier): Mahayana Buddhism

Origin of Mahayana

1
from Sanskrit, from mahā great + yāna vehicle

Derived forms of Mahayana

  • Mahayanist, noun

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