In short: Mahayana, the Great Vehicle, is the branch of Buddhism that emphasises the bodhisattva ideal: aiming for awakening in order to help all beings. It spread from India across Central and East Asia and includes Zen, Pure Land, Tiantai and other schools. It shares the Buddha's core teachings with Theravada but adds its own scriptures and emphases.
Key ideas
- Bodhisattva ideal: compassion and wisdom, delaying personal rest until all beings are free.
- Emptiness (sunyata): things lack fixed, independent existence. See meditation on emptiness.
- Many schools: Zen/Chan, Pure Land, Nichiren, Tiantai and Huayan.
Where it is practised
China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam and Taiwan. See our pages for Japan, South Korea and Taiwan.
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The bodhisattva path: what is a bodhisattva?
Questions people ask
What does Mahayana mean?
Mahayana means Great Vehicle. It emphasises the bodhisattva path: seeking awakening for the benefit of all beings.
Which countries practise Mahayana Buddhism?
Mainly China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam and Taiwan, with Tibetan Buddhism a related Mahayana-Vajrayana tradition in the Himalayan region.
How is Mahayana different from Theravada?
Mahayana adds later scriptures and stresses the bodhisattva ideal and emptiness. Theravada holds to the Pali canon and emphasises the arahant path. Both share the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path.