Mahayana Background
Mahayana stems from the Theravada School of Buddhism. Mahayanists believe that the Theravada-ist to be (Hinayana, meaning the lesser vehicle) Mahayanists consider themselves followers of the greater vehicle. Mahayanists, also accept much of the scripture and ritual that the Theravada-ist developed, but they believe their own scriptures to be of higher value and truth. No one knows the origins to Mahayana Buddhism, although the movement was probably started by small groups of religious individuals in northern India as well as Central Asia.
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