Mahayana Buddhism emerged around the 1st century BCE in India, evolving from early Buddhist traditions deeply rooted in Hindu (Vedic) philosophy. Early Buddhism itself arose as a reformist movement within the broader Hindu spiritual context, emphasizing liberation (moksha) through enlightenment rather than ritual sacrifice. Concepts like karma, dharma, and samsara were inherited directly from Vedic thought (Gombrich, Theravāda Buddhism: A Social History, 1988). Mahayana, meaning “Great Vehicle,”