Mahayana

A Sanskrit term for a group of Buddhist traditions known as the Great Way, Great Road, Greater Path, or Greater Vehicle. It is found in Bhutan, China, Japan, Nepal, Tibet, and East Asia

Mahayana stresses the importance of helping all beings to achieve enlightenment. The principle difference from Hinayana is the claim that the enlightened Boddhissatvas return back to the earth rather than Nirvana to help the still unenlightened.