Other schools of Buddhism.
There are many different schools in the Mahayana tradition. One of the best-known is Zen. Zen is the Japanese form of ch'an, a Chinese word meaning meditation. The Zen schools of Buddhism originated in China, but are now very strong in Japan and in Western countries.

Zen Buddhists believe that everyday activities are right material for meditation. This is seen particularly in the Zen emphasis on the religious use of gardens, flower arrangements, calligraphy, and archery.

Zen also emphasizes a close relationship between a teacher, or master, and his followers. Followers of the Pure Land school repeat the name of Amitabha (Amida in Japanese) with faith. They believe that their subsequent rebirth in his pure land will enable them to attain nirvana because his teaching is so good.

Tibetan Buddhism developed alongside many of the north Indian religious traditions known as the tantra. The tantra is a secret set of teachings linked closely to a guru, a spiritual leader or teacher. In the Tibetan tradition, there are three types, or levels, of Buddhist practice.

The Hinayana is based on morality and self-sufficiency. The Mahayana emphasizes the bodhisattva vow to help all other beings to attain enlightenment out of compassion. The Vajrayana, like the tantra, puts great emphasis in a living lama, or guru, a teacher who can lead a person through the quickest way to enlightenment.