First
the Buddha sect was as a single one. The bhikkhu community lived following one
concept which was told by the Buddha. But by the time gradually that situation
began to change. There were mistaken ideas among bhikkhu. As a result of that
first, second and third dhamma councils were held. By doing those councils
monks could protect the pure dhamma of the Buddha. But they could not stop the
monks who believed those ideas. As a result of that the Buddha sect was broken
into many sects. By the time of third council, there were 18 sects. That means
the Buddha sasana has divided into parts. So, then, it is clear that many of
them have got wrong views about the Buddhism.
There were pioneer who took forward for the
development of such sects. They thoroughly tried to establish their opinions
how they can. They composed books to prove their concepts and they promulgated
their opinions to the world. There are many teacher among them.
I.
Nagarjuna
II.
Buddhagosha
III.
Mahadeva
IV.
Kumaaralabda
V.
Vasumitra
VI.
Purnayashash
VII.
Sanghabandu
VIII.
Srilatha
IX.
Kumaralatha
X.
Aryadeva
XI.
Chandrakirthi
XII.
Buddhapalitha
XIII.
Buddhadeva
XIV.
Yashomitra
XV.
Asanga
XVI.
Dhrmakirthi
XVII.
Vasubandhu
XVIII.
Dinnaga
XIX.
Shantharakshitha …..etc are such teacher
who dedicated to establish their opinions.
Mahadeva thero
Nikayavalambanashastra of
vasumitra says that “after 200 years of the Buddha, mahasanghika sect
divided into three parts called 1 Ekavyavaharika 2 lokottaravadi and 3
kaukkutika. The reason for this was Mahadeva thero who lives in Angoththara region.
He composed Avatansaka and prañña paramitha
sutta. Some were agree and some were disagree for those suttas. Then they were
divided into two parts”. [1]
Thus we
are able to see who the Mahadeva is? According to above statement of Vasumitra
we can identify that he was a pioneer to establish few sects. The books he
composed have created conflicts among his followers. They departed from him and
they must have begun a new sect.
The
bramanavŗtanta of Hyn Siyan says that “After the 100 year of the buddha a thero called
Mahadeva wrote a book whish was against to the arhat bhikkus. Many of them
accepted his opinion who read that book. Thought the king Ahsoka firstly treat
for all bikkhus later he joined with Mahadeva thero and he summoned all bhikkus
to ford of Ganga. As Arhat bhikkhus kknew the hidden idea of Ashoka which was
to kill the all monks sinking in river Ganga, they went to Kashmir by divine
way. Because disgusted Ashoka failed to summon them back, he build 500 temples
in Kashmir and handed over the whole country to bhikkhu”[2]
This
statement says that how he tried to separate the Sasana. Why the king Ashoka
needed to kill them all. I think because they were harmful to the pure
Buddhism.
There are
five opinions of him which he thoroughly accepted.
I.
Demerits can be done by an Arhat one
II.
Arhatship can be unknown by the obtainer
III.
Suspicious can be arisen about some dhamma facts by
the Arhat one
IV.
Arhatship cannot be obtained without a help of a
teacher
V.
When he who meditate to obtain enlightenment,shouls
say loudly as “this is sorrow “
However
above five reasons arose many arguments among bhikkhu community. Some scholars
says that those five reasons mush have helped to create ten unacceptable
courses of Vajjiputtakas. Vasumitra says that Avatansaka and praññaparamitha suttas were written by Mahadeva
thero . If it is true, Mahadeva thero is the first person who wrote Mahayana
suttas.
The
teacher Nagarjuna
Nagarjuna
is one of a Mahayana teacher who took effort for the betterment of that sect.
He composed many boos as praññaparamitha sūtravaņņana. He is the first
Mahayana book writer. Some scholars say that he has taken the ideas for his
books from previous Mahayana books.
Polvatte
Buddhadaththa thero says that “it can be accepted that he has taken the
ideas of mahasanghikas to add to his books”[3]Then
it is very clear that Mahayana sect has been arisen as a result of
mahasanghikas thoughts. Nagarjuna must have been a follower of mahasanghika.
That is why he was able to take the opinions of mahasanghikas.
He was a
pioneer set more than ten sects such as Sammitiya. Madyamika tradition has been
created, composing madyamika suttas by him. It can be found some personal
information of Nagarjuna’s life.
He was
born in Vidharbha region in northern side. When he was a child his parents send
him for the peregrination to save him form death. Because some Brahmins had
said that he had died when he was 7 year. When he was wandering. He came near
to Nalanda School’s gate. Then a Brahmin called Salha saw him and said him to
be ordain to live long time. Then the prince got the ordination. He learnt all books.
But he was expelled from school because he has done a bad function. He got the
name Nagarjuna because he was a friend of Nagas.
However
again he has begun his peregrination “ after he went to Punyavardhana region
and did a big arms giving by creating golds, he build a temple in patavesha
kingdom and also he made a temple in rajadesha”[4]
according to that statement we are able to see his dedication for the
development of his teachings . He has guided to build temples for the sake of
the existence of his dhamma.
There are
many books which he has composed they are as follows,
1. prañña paramithashastra
2. dashabhumivibhashashastra
3. sutra samuccaya
4. madyamika mulagrantha
5. tantrasamuccaya
6. mandalavidhi
7. pratityasamutpadacakra
8. caturmudravinishcaya
9. Ratnavali
10. Bodhigana……etc
Thus
contribution of Nagarjuna was very helpful for the evolution of some sects such
as Mahayana. Sammithiya, Madyamika…and so on. He wrote many books to prove his
philosophical opinions. He build up temples to establish his new ideas. However
he was a great teacher who dedicate to establish he schools.
The book
“Lakdiva Mahayana adahas” of polvaththe Buddhadatta represents about many
teacher how dedicated to set their own schools by using their own ideas.
The beginner of bahulika sect is Bahusruta.
Asanga is the pioneer to set tha Mahinsssaka sect. Dhammaguptika sect was
started by Dhammagupta. Kassapa set the sect of Kassapiya. Kumaralatha who
lived in thakshila started the Sautranthika sect. Smmithiya chapter was begun
by Sammatha thero. Dharmoththara started dhammuttariya chapter….ect
There are
a lot of teachers who took forward for the development of Buddhist sects. They
could success their effort. They spread new concepts on Buddhism. Some concepts
were unacceptable according to the pure Dhamma. However their dedication should
be evaluated as they are teacher who took forward for the development of
Buddhist schools.
Sources
·
Lakdiva Mahayana Adahas, Sasanarathana moratuwe,
Visidunu Publication,Borella 2012
·
The early history of the spread of the spread of
Buddhism and Buddhist schools, Nalinaksha Duth,Cosmo Publicaton,India,2005
·
Buddhist teacher of Bharatha ,second edition,
Buddhadatta Polvaththe, S. godage and Brothers,Colombo 10, 2006
·
Buddhist Dharmacarya Examination. Buddhist history and
culture,the origin of Buddhist schools in India,Moratuwagama H.M, Department of
Buddhist affairs, 2009
Student - Rev M: Gnanaloka
REG: NO; LS/SA/2012/31
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