Buddha: His Life, his Doctrine, his Order c10.20

c10.20

∗ Considering the great number and the scattered residences of the members of the Order, it is natural to think it is even probable, that already in Buddha’s lifetime the fraternities of his disciples had an existence independent of Buddha’s personality in essential features. Buddhist tradition also points to this. More intimate knowledge of the facts bearing on this matter is obviously not obtainable by us.