Nikaya Buddhism Website Links For
Buddhism
 

Information About

Nikaya Buddhism




Nikaya Buddhism is a general term for those schools of .

Nikaya Buddhism is distinguished from the Buddhism of the various Mahayana and Vajrayana schools, which accept the authenticity of a range of other scriptures. However, the sutras of Pali Canon are accepted by every school, and outside Nikaya Buddhism they are known as the '' Agamas '' or Nikaya s.

Many commentors on Buddhism have used the term Hinayana to refer to Nikaya Buddhism. However, that term is now generally seen as flawed:
  • Hinayana, (literally "inferior vehicle"), is often regarded as an offensive or pejorative term.

  • Hinayana was coined by the Mahayana, and has never been used by Nikaya Buddhists to refer to themselves.

  • Hinayana as a technical term, indicated the vehicles of both the Sravakabuddha and the Pratyekabuddha, whereas as a division of Buddhism, it refers solely to the individuals who follow the former vehicle, towards the achievement of Sravakabuddhahood.

  • It is sensible to use a terms for a division of population which is ideally used by themselves, and failing that, at least not offensive to them.


"Nikaya Buddhism", which appears to have been coined by Professor Masatoshi Nagatomi of Harvard University , is an attempt to find the most neutral and accurate way of referring to this division of Buddhists. The term ''Sravakayana'' (literally, "hearer vehicle disciple's vehicle ") is also sometimes used for the same purpose. Note that ''Nikaya'' is also a term used by Theravadins to refer to a school or sect.

There were once at least eighteen Nikaya schools. According to tradition, the divisions within Nikaya Buddhism originated at the which insisted on strict observation of vinaya and a more liberal group known as Mahasangikas which argued that some minor rules could be relaxed. The council ended with the rejection of the Mahasanghikas. A series of further disputes resulted in additional divisions. The now-defunct Nikaya schools are described under Early Buddhist Schools and Branches Of Buddhism .