摩訶僧祇部

Mahāsāṅghikāḥ, or Mahāsaṅghanikāya; 大衆部 one of the four branches of the Vaibhāṣika, said to have been formed after the second synod in opposition to the Sthavirās, marking the first division in the Buddhist church. Followers of Mahākāśyapa. After the third synod this school split into five sects: Pūrvaśāila, Avaraśāila, Haimavatā, Lokottaravādinas, Prajñāptivādinas.