The Ancient and Medieval Architecture of India: A Study of Indo-Aryan Civilisation c15.9

c15.9

The philosophy of Yoga, as expounded by Patanjali, seems to have been the basis of the teaching of the Buddhist monk, Nâgârjuna, who appeared in Kanishka's reign as the leader of a new school which eventually led to the secession of the northern Buddhists from the orthodox tradition of the Sangha. From about the beginning of the Christian era the northern or reformed schools were known as the Mahâyâna, or Great Vehicle, to distinguish them from those of the Hînayâna, or Little Vehicle, which remained steadfast to the early teaching of Buddhist philosophy.