The Second Buddhist Council convened at Vaishali around 383 BCE witnessed the absolute earliest major schism inside the Buddhist Sangha. What was the central point of institutional dispute that divided the monks into Theravadins and Mahasanghikas?

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The Second Council was triggered by disputes over Vinaya rules. The orthodox elder monks led by Yashas rejected ten specific practices or laxities adopted by the Vajjian monks, such as accepting gold and silver donations, storing salt in a horn, or eating after midday. When the council condemned these practices, the progressive Vajjian monks split away to form the Mahasanghikas, initiating early institutional stratification.

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