Mahayana Buddhism: Bodhisattvas, Pure Land and Zen

Mahayana, 'the great vehicle', developed in India around the start of the common era and became the main form of Buddhism in China, Korea, Japan and Vietnam. Its central ideal is the bodhisattva, a being who seeks enlightenment in order to help all living beings, motivated by compassion; figures such as Avalokiteshvara (Guanyin in China) became beloved objects of devotion. Mahayana thinkers such as Nagarjuna developed the idea of emptiness (shunyata), teaching that nothing exists independently. In East Asia, distinct schools grew.

Pure Land Buddhism taught that sincere faith in Amitabha Buddha, expressed by reciting his name, leads to rebirth in a paradise where enlightenment is easier, an approach accessible to ordinary people. Chan, known in Japan as Zen, stressed meditation and sudden insight, often using puzzling sayings called koans. These schools show how Buddhism adapted to Chinese and Japanese culture while keeping core teachings.