Aspects of Mahayana Buddhism and its Relation to Hinayana c5.s2.3

c5.s2.3

The history of the events and doctrines of Buddhism of this period—one of the most important periods in its history—is still not fully known; first, because the sources from which the reconstruction can be made are scanty,¹ and secondly, because the dates of composition of those that are available have not yet been definitely ascertained. This period witnessed the breaking up of the Buddhist Saṅgha into many sections and the scattering of these sections over the various parts of India, each growing in its own way. Though dissensions in the Church may be undesirable from the orthodox point of view, they were indicative of the great interest taken by the disciples in ascertaining the real teachings of Buddha as also of the attempts to interpret the old teachings in a new way, and to adapt them to the changed circumstances brought about by the advancement of thought for over a century.