Sects of Buddhism

                      Hinayana (i.e. the Lesser Vehicle ): (I)   Its followers believed in the original teaching of Buddha (ii)  They sought  individual salvation  through self discipline and meditation . (iii) They did not believe in idol – worship  (iv) They favored Pali language.  (v)  It is known as ‘ Southern Buddhist  Religion,’ because it prevailed in the south of India, e.g. Sri Lanka , Burma (Myanmar ) , Syam  (Thailand ), Java etc.  (vi)  There were two subsets of Hinayana- Vaibhasika and Sautantrika.

                    Mahayana (i.e the Greater Vehicle ): (i) its followers believed in the heaven lines of Buddha (II) They sought the salvation of all through the grace and help of Buddha and Bodhisatva (iii) They believed  in idol –worship (iv)  They founded Sanskrit language (v)  It is known  as ‘ Northern Buddhist Religion,’ because it prevailed in the North of India, e.g. China, Korea, Japan ,etc . (vi) There were two subsects of Mahayamika/ Shunyavada (founder- Nagarjuna) and Yopgachar/ Vijnanavada  (founder – Maitreyanath and his disciple Asanga)

                  Vajrayana  :  (i)  Its followers believed that salvition could be best attained by acquiring the magical  power, which they called Vajra.(ii) The chuief divinities of this new sect were the Taras.  (iii) It became popular in Eastern India , Particularly Bengal and Bihar.