Indian Buddhism - Definition and Overview

Nikaya

• Theravada is the single remaining representative of the eighteen (or twenty) Nikaya schools of Indian Buddhism, which are sometimes referred to by the controversial term Hinayana. Theravada is now practiced mainly in Sri Lanka, Burma, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Indochina.
• Another prominent Nikaya school, was the Sarvastivada. One of the main branches of Indian Abhidharma that was instrumental in the creation of Yogacara doctrine. Its system of monastic rules Vinaya is still used in the Gelukpa school of Tibetan Buddhism and is also somewhat influential in monastic Chinese Buddhism.

Mahayana

• Madhyamaka (Middle Way), of which the most significant thinker is Nagarjuna
• Yogacara founded by Asanga and Vasubandhu. Also known as Cittamatra, Vijnanavada (Mind Only, Consciousness-Mind Only).
• Tathagatagarbha A trend of Indian and East Asian Buddhist thought that is derived from Yogacara.

Other

• Neo-Buddhism A 20th century revivalist movement among low caste and untouchable Indians, initiated in 1956 by Dr. B. R. Ambedkar.

See also

• History of Buddhism
• Early Buddhist Schools
• Schools of Buddhism