anjali wrote:Well, I have an opinion with no real supporting
proof of why the Mahayana split: The doctrinal split was a
justification of what had already taken place practically in
earlier times. Here is my perspective. We know that the Buddha
and community was not only a spiritual movement--it was a social
movement as well. The Sanga accepted people from all walks of
life within the Indian social strata--Brahman, Kshatriya,
Vaishya, and Sudra. While it is unclear, I suspect that there
was an aspect of the emerging Buddhist movement--even during the
Buddha's time--centering around the outreach to and upliftment
of the disadvantaged and suffering within Indian society. Also,
a number of the Buddha's disciples were from the
warrior/administrative class (Ksyatriyas). This mindset
emphasizes working for the welfare of the kingdom. There was a
socially conscious aspect to the movement. My opinion is that
these inclinations of members of the Sanga and laity resulted in
a split of emphasis between those who were soc