Aspects of Mahayana Buddhism and its Relation to Hinayana c5.s2.t1.8

c5.s2.t1.8

⁴ An evidence for the later growth of the Abhidhamma literature is the orthodox tradition (*Attha*., pp. 28-32) that Buddha did not preach the Abhidhamma in *extenso* but gave only the *mātikā*, which was later on developed by Sāriputta and handed down by him through his disciples to Revata. This evidence is important in view of the fact that this is a statement made by persons who believe that every thing of the scriptures is Buddhavacana. The rejection of the Abhidhamma by the Mahāsānghikas as non-canonical is also an evidence in support of our contention. See *Early History* etc., p. 235. In the *Kośa-vyākhyā* (p. 12) it is stated that the Abhidharma was preached in fragments by Buddha.