Mahayana

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Mahāyāna (Sanskrit: महायान, "Great Vehicle") is the largest branch of Buddhism, followed by the older branch Theravada. It is a broad group of Buddhist traditions, texts, philosophies, and practices that developed in various regions and Buddhist communities of ancient India (c. 1st century BCE onwards). Mahāyāna Buddhism accepts the main scriptures and teachings of early Buddhism but also recognizes various scriptures that are not accepted by Theravāda Buddhism as canonical. Mahāyāna scriptures like the Lotus Sutra and the Vajra-cutter Sutra emphasize the ideal of the bodhisattva, spiritual heroes who vow to attain buddhahood for the sake of saving all living beings (a compassionate attitude termed bodhicitta). These scriptures also contain unique teachings such as the Perfection of Wisdom and Buddha-nature. The Mahāyāna also refers to the path of the bodhisattva striving to become a fully awakened buddha for the benefit of all sentient beings, and is thus also called the "Bodhisattva...

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