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China: Sakyamuni Buddha teaching. Zhang Shengwen, Yunnan, 1173–1176 CE

China: Sakyamuni Buddha teaching. Zhang Shengwen, Yunnan, 1173–1176 CE

There are two major divisions of Buddhism. The Sthavira, which was more orthopraxic, and the Mahasamghika that tended to rely more on texts. Each developed into different school, of which there are many sub-divisions. At present, however, three major forms survive: one Sthavira, known as Theravada, in South East Asia, and two Mahayana, namely the Chinese and Tibetan traditions. The Theravada tradition spread from India to Sri Lanka and Burma in the 3rd century BCE, and from there to Yunnan in southwest China, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, South Vietnam and Indonesia.

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