When did the Sarvastivada school emerge?
The Sarvastivada school emerged during the reign of Emperor Aśoka around the third century BCE. Historical evidence confirms their distinct identity existed by the middle of the 3rd century BCE.
Questions about Sarvastivada
Short answers, pulled from the story.
Who provided crucial patronage to the Sarvāstivādins between 127 and 150 CE?
Emperor Kanishka of the Kushan Empire provided crucial patronage to the Sarvāstivādins between 127 and 150 CE. During his rule, the sect flourished throughout North India, Kashmir, and Central Asia.
What is the central teaching of the Sarvāstivāda regarding time?
A central teaching of the Sarvāstivāda was that all dharmas exist across past, present, and future time periods. According to this doctrine, phenomena do not come into being nor pass away but persist through all three times equally.
Which two major branches split from the Sarvāstivāda tradition?
The tradition split into two major branches: the orthodox Vaibhasika and the critical Sautrantika schools. Early Darsantika monks like Dhammatrata and Buddhadeva existed within the fold but disagreed with mainstream views.
When did the Sarvastivada school disappear from history?
The movement spread widely across Central Asia before disappearing by the seventh century CE. Pilgrims like Xuanzang visited Kucha in the Tarim Basin in 630 CE where Sarvastivadin communities still thrived under King Suvarnadeva.