Aspects of Mahayana Buddhism and its Relation to Hinayana c7.s3.t17: Section II

c7.s3.t17.1

The Pāli Nikāyas, as already pointed out, are a mosaic composed of materials of various times and regions; hence they yield divergent opinions regarding the conception of Nibbāna. But the one presented above is supported by most of the suttas of the Nikāyas and can be treated as the earliest. We shall now pass on to some of the later Buddhistic works and ascertain from them how far the early conception of Nibbāna was retained in later times and what changes, if any, were introduced.