महासांघिक (Mahāsāṃghika) - Philosophical Concept | Alexandria
Mahasanghika: A school of early Buddhism, shrouded in enigma, whose very name translates to "Great Community," hinting at both its inclusive nature and its potential dissent. Was it a progressive movement, a deviation from orthodoxy, or simply a different facet of the same diamond? The answer, perhaps, lies buried within the complex history of early Buddhist schisms.
The earliest seeds of the Mahasanghika are traced back to the Second Buddhist Council, traditionally placed around 383 BCE. Accounts suggest disagreements arose concerning interpretations of the Vinaya, the monastic code. While concrete primary sources from that precise era are scarce, later chronicles, such as the Dipavamsa and Mahavamsa from Sri Lanka, recount tales of a division between those labeled "Sthaviras" (Elders) and the "Mahasanghikas," who advocated for a more liberal interpretation of monastic rules. This period, a crucible of doctrinal differences, unfolded against a backdrop of nascent empires and evolving philosophical landscapes, ripe for the splintering of established thought.
Over time, the Mahasanghika school further diversified, giving rise to various sub-schools and introducing innovative concepts like the idea of the Buddha's transcendent, supramundane nature. Texts attributed to Mahasanghika lineages suggest a different understanding of the Arhat ideal and a greater emphasis on the bodhisattva path, the path to Buddhahood. Intriguingly, some scholars propose connections between the Mahasanghika and the later development of Mahayana Buddhism, adding another layer of complexity to their legacy. Did the Mahasanghika foreshadow aspects of Mahayana, or did they simply share similar seeds of thought? The relationship remains a subject of scholarly debate, a puzzle with missing pieces.
Today, although no continuous, living Mahasanghika tradition exists, their ideas continue to resonate within Buddhist studies and beyond. The school's emphasis on the potential for all beings to achieve enlightenment and its more flexible approach to monastic discipline continue to influence contemporary interpretations of Buddhism. The Mahasanghika, a "Great Community" of dissent and innovation, leaves us with a profound question: How do we balance adherence to tradition with the dynamism of evolving understanding?