Buddhism/Schools/Sthaviravāda

School of Theology > Department of Buddhist Studies > Various Schools of Buddhism

Sthaviravāda

Sthaviravāda literally means the "Teaching Of The Elders", was one of the two main movements in early Buddhism.

"The Elders" referred to Buddha 500 immediate disciples who had attained Arahantship (Enlightenment), they held the First Council, and unanimously decided not to modify any of Buddha Vinaya and Dhamma.

The Sthaviravāda faith survives today in the Theravāda tradition.

Sthaviravāda Schools

• Sthaviravāda
  • Pudgalavāda ('Personalist') (c. 280 BCE)
  • Vibhajyavāda (prior to 240 BCE; during Asoka)
    • Theravāda (c. 240 BCE) Considered to be a continuation of Sthaviravāda and Vibhajyavāda
    • Mahīśāsaka (after 232 BCE)
    • Kāśyapīya (after 232 BCE)
    • w:Dharmaguptaka (after 232 BCE)
    • Vatsīputrīya (under Asoka) later name: Saṃmitīya
      • Dharmottarīya
      • Bhadrayānīya
      • Sannāgarika
  • Sarvāstivāda (c. 237 BCE)
    • Sautrāntika (between 50 BCE and c. 100 CE)
    • Mūlasarvāstivāda (third and fourth centuries)