The term Anapana (and its full practice, Anapanasati) is used in Mahayana Buddhism, though its prominence and terminology vary depending on the specific tradition.

In Mahayana contexts, you will often find it referred to by its Sanskrit equivalent, Anapanasmrti. While Mahayana is well-known for practices like chanting, visualizations, and koans, "mindfulness of breathing" remains a foundational pillar across almost all its branches.

How it appears in Mahayana

Mahayana Buddhism did not replace the earlier breathing practices; rather, it integrated them as "preliminary" or "skillful means" ($upaya$) to stabilize the mind for higher insights.

• The Chinese Canon: The Anapanasati Sutta was one of the first Buddhist texts translated into Chinese (by An Shigao in the 2nd century). It became a core text for early Chinese meditation.
• Tiantai & Chan (Zen): In these traditions, breathing is often the first technique taught to beginners.
  • In Zen, the practice of Susoku-kan (counting the breath) is essentially Anapana. It is used to achieve the concentration ($samadhi$) necessary for Shikantaza ("just sitting").
  • In Tiantai, the "Six Subtle Dharma Gates" is a famous manual that starts with breathing (Anapana) as the first stage of the path to enlightenment.
• The Mahaprajnaparamita Sastra: This massive Mahayana treatise (attributed to Nagarjuna) discusses Anapanasmrti in detail, treating it as a vital practice for a Bodhisattva to master.
• Tibetan Buddhism: While complex tantric visualizations are common, the "Nine-Round Breathing" or simple breath observation is almost always used at the start of a session to calm the "wind" (energy) in the body.

Key Differences in Usage

While the term is the same, the goal can sometimes shift:

• In Theravada: Anapanasati is often seen as a complete path that can lead all the way to Nirvana.
• In Mahayana: Anapana is more frequently used as a tool to cultivate "One-Pointed Concentration" ($shamatha$). Once the mind is still, the practitioner usually pivots to Mahayana-specific contemplations, such as Emptiness ($shunyata$) or Compassion ($karuna$).

Summary Table