The Mahāsāṃghika was a major division (nikāya) of the early Buddhist schools in India. They were one of the two original communities that emerged from the first schism of the original pre-sectarian Buddhist tradition. This schism is traditionally held to have occurred after the Second Buddhist council, which occurred at some point during or after the reign of Kalashoka. The Mahāsāṃghika nikāya developed into numerous sects which spread throughout ancient India.
Drawing on the entrance to the Great Chaitya Cave at Karli
Karli Chaitya section in perspective
A Chinese Buddhist monk in a yellow robe. Chinese Buddhist monks often use the same color robes that some Mahāsāṃghika sects used in India.
Depiction of the Buddha's descent from Trāyastriṃśa heaven, second half 3rd century
Pre-sectarian Buddhism, also called early Buddhism, the earliest Buddhism, original Buddhism, and primitive Buddhism, is Buddhism as theorized to have existed before the various Early Buddhist schools developed, around 250 BCE.
Siddartha Gautama depicted in Greco-Buddhist style during his extreme fasting prior to being "Awakened", 2nd-3rd century, Gandhara (modern eastern Afghanistan), Lahore Museum, Pakistan
Gandhara birchbark scroll fragments (c. 1st century)
