Nikaya Buddhism
Masatoshi Nagatomi of Harvard University coined the phrase Nikaya Buddhism in the late twentieth century. He proposed this term as a non-derogatory substitute for Hinayana, which means early Buddhist schools. Robert Thurman and Masatoshi Nagatomi stated that the word was suggested to avoid the term Hinayana Buddhism, found offensive by some members of the Theravada tradition. The Pali word nikaya translates directly to group or assemblage. It refers to the collection of early Buddhist schools or non-Mahayana schools. Some scholars exclude pre-sectarian Buddhism when using the term. Examples of these groups include pre-sectarian Buddhism and the early Buddhist schools.
Early Buddhism in India is generally divided into various monastic fraternities known as nikayas. Conventionally numbering eighteen, the actual count varied over time. The doctrinal orientation of each school differed somewhat, as did the number of piakas in their canon. An example of this is the Dharmaguptaka, which included a Bodhisattva Pitaka and a Dharani Pitaka. These variations created distinct identities among the fraternities. Each group maintained its own set of texts and practices while sharing core Buddhist principles. The diversity within these groups shaped the development of later traditions across Asia.
The Mahasamghika nikayas generally advocated the transcendental and supramundane nature of the buddhas and bodhisattvas. They also emphasized the fallibility of arhats. Therefore, for the Mahasamghikas, the bodhisattva ideal and buddhahood was advocated over the ideal of becoming an arhat. Avalokitavrata wrote of the Mahasamghikas as using a Great Agama Pitaka. This text is then associated with Mahayana sutras such as the Prajnaparamita and the Ten Stages Sutra. In the Caitika group of nikayas, the Purvashailas and the Aparashailas each were known to have specific texts in Prakrit. Bhavaviveka also wrote of the Siddarthikas using a Vidyadhara Pitaka. Both the Purvashailas and Aparaśailas used a Bodhisattva Pitaka, implying organized collections of Mahayana texts within these Mahasamghika nikayas.
In the Sthavira nikaya, the Sarvastivadins were a major nikaya. The Sarvastivadin outlook employs three vehicles: Sravakayana, Pratyekabuddhayana, and Bodhisattvayana. References to the Bodhisattvayana and the practice of the Six paramitas are commonly found in Sarvastivada works as well. The Theravada sect from Sri Lanka generally accepts the three vehicles but categorizes these as three different types of bodhi or enlightenment. The Theravada nikaya only uses the Pali Canon, which has three pitakas. It does not contain separate literature for bodhisattvas. Walpola Rahula writes that at the end of a religious ceremony or an act of piety, the bhikkhu who gives benedictions usually admonishes the congregation to make a resolution to attain Nirvana by realizing one of the three Bodhi - Sravakabodhi, Pratyekabodhi or Samyaksambodhi - as they wish according to their capacity.
Jan Nattier writes that there is also no evidence that Mahayana ever referred to a separate formal school or sect of Buddhism. Rather it existed as a certain set of ideals and later doctrines for bodhisattvas. Paul Williams has similarly noted that the Mahayana never had nor ever attempted to have a separate vinaya or ordination lineage from the Indian nikayas. Therefore each bhikshu or bhikshuni adhering to the Mahayana formally belonged to one of these nikayas. This continues today with the Dharmaguptaka nikaya in East Asia and the Mulasarvastivada nikaya in Tibetan Buddhism. The integration of Mahayana ideas within existing monastic structures allowed for fluid doctrinal development without creating new institutional boundaries.
Many commenters on Buddhism have used the term Hinayana to refer to Nikaya Buddhism. However that term is now generally seen as flawed. Hinayana literally means inferior vehicle and is often regarded as an offensive or pejorative term. Hinayana was coined by the Mahayana and has never been used by Nikaya Buddhists to refer to themselves. As a technical term, Hinayana indicated the vehicles of both the Svakabuddha and the pratyekabuddha. As a division of Buddhism, it refers solely to individuals who follow the former vehicle toward the achievement of Savakabuddhahood. It is sensible to use terms for a division of population which are ideally used by themselves. Failing that, they should be at least not offensive to them. According to Robert Thurman, the term Nikaya Buddhism was coined by Masatoshi Nagatomi of Harvard University as a way to avoid the usage of the term Hinayana. The term Sravakayana is also sometimes used for the same purpose. Other terms that have been used in similar senses include sectarian Buddhism or conservative Buddhism. Note that nikaya is also a term used in Theravada Buddhism to refer to a subschool or subsect within Theravada.
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Common questions
Who coined the term Nikaya Buddhism and when?
Masatoshi Nagatomi of Harvard University coined the phrase Nikaya Buddhism in the late twentieth century. He proposed this term as a non-derogatory substitute for Hinayana, which means early Buddhist schools.
What does the Pali word nikaya translate to directly?
The Pali word nikaya translates directly to group or assemblage. It refers to the collection of early Buddhist schools or non-Mahayana schools.
How many monastic fraternities known as nikayas existed in Early Buddhism in India?
Early Buddhism in India is generally divided into various monastic fraternities known as nikayas that conventionally numbered eighteen though the actual count varied over time. The doctrinal orientation of each school differed somewhat, as did the number of piakas in their canon.
Which Mahasamghika nikayas advocated the transcendental nature of buddhas and bodhisattvas?
The Mahasamghika nikayas generally advocated the transcendental and supramundane nature of the buddhas and bodhisattvas while emphasizing the fallibility of arhats. They also emphasized the bodhisattva ideal and buddhahood was advocated over the ideal of becoming an arhat.
Does the Theravada nikaya use separate literature for bodhisattvas?
The Theravada nikaya only uses the Pali Canon which has three pitakas and does not contain separate literature for bodhisattvas. Walpola Rahula writes that at the end of a religious ceremony or an act of piety the bhikkhu who gives benedictions usually admonishes the congregation to make a resolution to attain Nirvana by realizing one of the three Bodhi - Sravakabodhi Pratyekabodhi or Samyaksambodhi - as they wish according to their capacity.