Early Monastic Buddhism v2.c33.10

v2.c33.10

The first group of schools, comprising the Mahāsanghikas, Ekavyavahārikas and the Caityakas (or Lokottaravādins) had generally common doctrines with minor differences, which have not been carefully distinguished by Vasumitra. As regards the doctrines of the second group of schools, viz., the Śailas or the Andhakas, the Bahuśrutīyas, and Prajñaptivādins, Vasumitra has equally been taciturn. It is in the Kathāvatthu that we find a large number of doctrines, specially attributed to this group, and scanning the doctrines, it appears that this group accepted some of the doctrines of the Sarvāstivādins. We propose to discuss the doctrines of the first and second groups separately, but as the materials for the history and literature of both these groups are scanty, we shall have to take up their treatment together.