The Mahayana Schools

The Mahayana schools are a major branch of Buddhism emphasizing compassion and the pursuit of enlightenment for all beings. They believe that achieving enlightenment is a collective effort and that helping others is essential. Mahayana includes diverse traditions like Zen, Pure Land, and Tibetan Buddhism, each with unique practices. These schools highlight the idea of bodhisattvas—enlightened beings who choose to remain in the cycle of rebirth to assist others. Overall, Mahayana promotes a more accessible, compassionate path to spiritual awakening, focusing on altruism and universal salvation.