“Everything goes back originally to the word of the Buddha and his instructions for the Noble Life, and the following essay explains how there is only one Dhamma outlining the path that leads to the destination of purification and ultimate peace.”
During the life time of the Buddha his teaching was known variously as Buddha-vacana[1] (‘Word of the Buddha’), Buddha-sasana[2] (‘Message of the Buddha’ or ‘Teaching of the Buddha’), Satthu-sasana (‘Master’s Message’ or ‘Master’s Teaching’), Sasana[3] (‘Message’ or ‘Teaching’) or Dhamma[4] (‘Teaching’ or ‘Truth’). At that time there was nothing called Theravada or Mahayana. According to the ancient chronicles of Sri Lanka – Dipavamsa (Chronicle of the Island, 4th century A.C.), Mahavamsa (Great Chronicle, 5th century A.C.) and the Samantapasadika (Comentary on the Vinaya) – the terms ‘Theravada,’ ‘Teriya’ or ‘Therika’ were for the first time introduced into the history of Buddhism after the first Council (Synod) held at Rajagaha (Rajagriha) three months after the Buddha’s Parinirvana.
[pdf]http://www.dhammikaweb.com/pdfs/one_vehicle_for_peace.pdf[/pdf]
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