Buddhism and defined that there are 2 main types of Buddhism i.e. Mahayana (大乘) and Hinayana (小乘).
Few things can be said with certainty about Mahayana Buddhism especially its early Indian form, other than that that the Buddhism practiced in China, Korea, Tibet, and Japan is Mahayana Buddhism. Mahayana can be described as a loosely bound bundle of many teachings, which was able to contain the various contradictions found between those differing teachings. Mahayana is a vast religious and philosophical structure. It constitutes an inclusive faith characterized by the adoption of new Mahayana Sutras, in addition to the traditional Pali canon or Aghama texts, and a shift in the basic purpose and concepts of Buddhism.
About Hinayana, Hinayana is used by Mahayanists as a name to refer variously to one or more doctrines, traditions, practitioners or thoughts that are generally concerned with the achievement of Nirvana as an Arahant or a Pratyeka-Buddha as opposed to the achievement of liberation as a Samyaksambuddha wherein the Samyaksambuddha is deemed to operate from a basis of vowing to effect the spiritual liberation of all beings and creatures from the suffering of samsara (not just himself or a small number of others).
The development of the Buddhism in Malaysia in the aspect of temple or monastery and Buddhism organizations are as follows:
1. The first temple in Penang is Kong Hock Keong (广福宫) which founded by a group of Hokkien and Cantonese Chinese in 18th century
2. 1891, the development of Kek Lok Si pagoda 极乐寺宝塔which completed in 1906 with 3 types of culture i.e. Thai, Myanmar and Chinese
3. 1925, the establishment of Penang Buddhism Institute 槟城佛学院 which started with the involvement in education
4. 1939, the foundation of Par Tay Institute with the strong financial support from Hu Wen Hu.
5. 1955, the formation of Malaysia Buddhism Association 马来西亚佛教总会
6. 1970, the formation of Young Buddhist Association of Malaysia 马来西亚佛教青年总会
7. 1989, the entry of Fo Guang Shan Malaysia 马来西亚佛光山总会
8. 1995, Malaysia Tzu Chi 慈济功德会founded and has actively involve in the voluntary works
