Schools of Buddhism

There are many divisions and subdivisions of the schools of Buddhism. An extensive list of historical schools is given below according to lineage. Surviving schools can be roughly grouped under the categories of Theravāda, Mahāyāna, and Vajrayāna. Theravāda and Mahāyāna share common methods as sutric schools, while Vajrayāna can be seen as a tantric school.

1 Nikaya schools
2 Theravada schools
3 Mahāyāna schools
4 Tantric schools
5 See also
6 References
7 External links

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Nikaya schools

See also: early Buddhist schools

The initial split between Sthaviravāda and Mahāsaṃghika occurred about 100 years after Buddha's death, due to differing views concerning the rigidity of monastic rules.

Sthaviravāda
- Pudgalavāda ('Personalist') (c. 280 BCE)
- Vibhajjavāda (prior to 240 BCE; during Aśoka)
  - Theravāda (c. 240 BCE) Considered to be a continuation of Sthaviravāda and Vibhajjavāda
  - Mahīśāsaka (after 232 BCE)
  - Kāśyapīya (after 232 BCE)
  - Dharmaguptaka (after 232 BCE)
  - Vatsīputrīya (under Aśoka) later name: Saṃmitīya
- Sarvāstivāda (c. 237 BCE)
  - Sautrāntika (between 50 BCE and c. 100 CE)
  - Mūlasarvāstivāda (third and fourth centuries)
Mahāsaṃghika ('Majority', c. 380 BCE)
- Ekavyahārikas (under Aśoka)
  - Lokottaravāda
- Golulika (during Aśoka)
  - Bahuśrutīya (late third century BCE)
  - Prajñaptivāda (late third century BCE)
  - Cetiyavāda

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- Caitika (mid-first century BCE)
  - Apara Śaila
  - Uttara Śaila

Influence of the early schools on later schools in other countries:
The following later schools used the Vinaya of the Dharmaguptaka:

Chinese Vinaya School
Korean Gyeyul
Japanese Ritsu

Other influences on later schools:

The Japanese Jojitsu is considered an offshoot of Sautrantika
The Chinese/Japanese Kusha school is considered an offshoot of Sarvastivada, influenced by Vasubandhu.

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Theravada schools

The different schools in Theravada often emphasize different aspects (or parts) of the Pali Canon and the later commentaries, or differ in the focus on (and recommended way of) practice. There are also significant differences in strictness or interpretation of the Vinaya.