mahayanism
/ˌmɑhəˈjɑnɪzəm/
noun
- The beliefs, practices, and teachings of Mahayana Buddhism, one of the two major branches of Buddhism.
- Mahayanism emphasizes the ideal of the bodhisattva, a being who delays their own enlightenment to help others.
- The spread of Mahayanism across East Asia influenced art, philosophy, and culture in countries like China and Japan.
- Scholars often study Mahayanism to understand how Buddhism evolved after the Buddha's death.