Aspects of Mahayana Buddhism and its Relation to Hinayana c5.s2.t13.41

c5.s2.t13.41

1. Buddhism is no longer one. It divides itself into three principal sections, viz., the Theravāda, the Sarvāstivāda, and the Mahāsānghika. The Theravādins remained in the central belt of India, making their position stronger in Avanti where Mahākaccāyana had laid the foundation of Buddhism and from which place Mahinda was sent out to Ceylon to propagate the Theravāda Buddhism. The Sarvāstivādins were also in the central belt of India with their centres of activity in Mathura and Kasmir, the former being founded by Upagupta and the latter by Madhyāntika. Dhitika, the successor of both Upagupta and Madhyāntika, spread it widely all over Northern India including Tukhāra on the north-west, Mālava, and Odivisa (Orissa), and Kāmarūpa on the east. The Mahāsānghikas established themselves at Vesāli and had followers sprinkled all over Northern India, but they became popular in the south. In short, Buddhism during this period spread all over Northern India and portions of Southern India.