... as the Mahasamghikis, and the Sarvastivadius.6 Mahayana Buddhism was not the sudden inspiration of any one individual, neither was it a rival school; the product of sectarian disagreement. Mahayana developed over a long time; inscriptural evidence suggests it originated as a minority spiritual interest within the confines of the monastery.7 As a consequence Mahayana emerged as a loose group of movements; diverse in teaching and practice. The only shared characteristic being their objection to the practices of the Theraveda, and the acceptance of a developing group of Sacred writings known as the Mahayana Sutras.8 The growth of Mahayana was also marked and identified with the appearance of this literature. 9 The Mahayana Sutras was considered to be the second turning of the `Dharmawheel', as they were believed to be the inspired expositions of a still existing Buddha. Mahayanist's accepted most of the Scripture and ritual of the Theraveda, but believed their ...

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