Early Monastic Buddhism v2.c33.9

v2.c33.9

Out of twelve names of the Pāli tradition, we come across seven in the above-mentioned inscriptions. This testimony indicates the authenticity of the Pāli tradition. Vinītadeva replaces Bahuśrutīya of the inscriptions by Prajñaptivāda, otherwise he upheld the traditions preserved in Pāli and the inscriptions. The Śaila schools of later days placed the Mahāsanghikas in the shade. It seems that the earlier Mahāsanghikas were not concentrated in one centre as were the Śailas. The former remained scattered over N. W. India, Behar and Western India, while the latter were concentrated at Śrīparvata and Dhanakaṭaka (in mod. Guntur District). The inscriptions indicate that a magnificent caitya was erected here and its grandeur and sanctity attracted devotees from places all over India and Ceylon. According to the inscriptions, the date of erection of the caitya should be placed some time about the 3rd or 4th century A.D.