Final answer:
The second great period of Buddhist expansion is characterized by the development of Mahayana Buddhism, known as Pure Land Buddhism, which focuses on devotion to Amida. Besides Pure Land, Mahayana also includes traditions like Zen Buddhism, while other main branches are Theravada and Vajrayana Buddhism. Buddhism promotes meditation, the Eightfold Path, and the Four Noble Truths to attain enlightenment.
Step-by-step explanation:
The second great period of Buddhist expansion is characterized by the development of Mahayana Buddhism, otherwise known as the Pure Land Buddhism. This form of Buddhism emerged as a school of popular devotion to Amida, emphasizing salvation through invoking Amida's name rather than scholarly study of sacred texts. Pure Land Buddhism paralleled certain devotional aspects found within Hindu bhakti movements in India, making religious practices accessible to all.
Mahayana Buddhism encompasses various traditions, including Zen Buddhism, which emphasizes meditation and is prevalent in East Asian regions such as Japan, Taiwan, Korea, and parts of China and Vietnam. The other main branches of Buddhism include Theravada Buddhism, practiced predominantly in Southeast Asia, which follows the original teachings of the Buddha; and Vajrayana Buddhism, or Tibetan Buddhism, which is followed mainly in Tibet and emphasizes the use of spiritual techniques to attain enlightenment.
In the global context, Buddhism remains a significant religion, adapting and integrating with local traditions in various regions such as China, Korea, Japan, and Tibet. Its practice includes meditation, adherence to the Eightfold Path, and understanding the Four Noble Truths as a path toward liberation or Nirvana.