Mahāsāṃghika

collection of early Buddhist texts

The Mahāsāṃghika (Brahmi: 𑀫𑀳𑀸𑀲𑀸𑀁𑀖𑀺𑀓, "of the Great Sangha", ) 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 (the other being the Sthavira Nikāya). This schism is traditionally held to have occurred after the Second Buddhist council, which occurred at some point during or after the reign of Ashoka Maurya. The Mahāsāṃghika Nikāya developed into numerous sects which spread throughout ancient India.

thumb|right|upright|The Lokottaravāda held there were innumerable Pure Land|Pure Lands of buddhas and [[bodhisattvas.]]

thumb|right|Cave temple associated with the Mahāsāṃghika sect. Ajaṇṭā Caves, Mahārāṣtra, [[India.]]

The Prajñaptivāda (Sanskrit; ) was a branch of the Mahāsāṃghika, one of the early Buddhist schools in India. The Prajñaptivādins were also known as the Bahuśrutīya-Vibhajyavādins.

thumb|upright|Statue of the Buddha at Bojjannakonda, [[Andhra Pradesh]]

The Kukkuṭika (Sanskrit; ) were an early Buddhist school which descended from the Mahāsāṃghika.

thumb|right|Cave temple associated with the Mahāsāṃghika sect. Ajaṇṭā Caves, Mahārāṣtra, India

Indian monk