Definitions for mahayanaˌmɑ həˈyɑ nə

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Random House Webster's College Dictionary

Ma•ha•ya•naˌmɑ həˈyɑ nə(n.)

  1. one of the two major schools of Buddhism, characterized by a belief in a common search for salvation.

    Category: Eastern Religions

    Ref: Compare Hinayana.

Origin of Mahayana:

1865–70; < Skt =mahā- great +yāna vehicle

Princeton's WordNet

  1. Mahayana(noun)

    a major school of Buddhism teaching social concern and universal salvation; China; Japan; Tibet; Nepal; Korea; Mongolia

  2. Mahayana, Mahayana Buddhism(noun)

    one of two great schools of Buddhist doctrine emphasizing a common search for universal salvation especially through faith alone; the dominant religion of China and Tibet and Japan

Wiktionary

  1. Mahayana(ProperNoun)

    A school of Buddhism widely practised in China, Japan, Korea and Mongolia. It literally means "Great Vehicle" and teaches universal salvation with emphasis on social concerns.

  2. Origin: From महायान.


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