Mahayana Buddhism

One of the two major divisions of Buddhism.

The word "Mahayana" means the "Large Way" or "- Vehicle".

Mahayana represented a popularizing development from the earlier and more austere Theravada or Hinayana school of Buddhism.

Mahayana is the characteristic Buddhism of China, Japan, and Korea. Zen and the Vajrayana? or Tantrayana? Buddhism of Tibet? are usually included in the Mahayana.

Mahayana beliefs tend to be characterized by a greater acceptance of ideas about supernatural beings, realms, and powers, for example, a spectrum of Bodhisattvas, both human and godlike, who can assist believers.