The Positive Background of Hindu Sociology c10.s10.31

c10.s10.31

1. Early or Pure *Hīnayāna* Buddhism (c. B.C. 450-350). This Buddhism has for its records the *Vinaya* and the *Nikāyas* (*Sūtras*) in Pali.
2. Mixed *Hīnayāna* Buddhism (c. B.C. 350-100). This is the Buddhism held in solution among the diverse leaders or cholars such as arose about a century after Śākya the Buddha's death. This pluralistic development of Buddhism took place during the epoch of the Mauryas. It is during this period that the third *Piṭaka* of the orthodox Buddhists, the *Abhidhamma*, was mainly compiled. This is the epoch *par excellence* of the *Jātakas* and *Avadānas*, brought into existence, as they were, for the purpose of democratizing and popularizing the teachings of Śākya.