________________ 188 Homage to Vaisali the arrogance and selfishness of a wicked Licchavi prince from the core of his heart which became afterwards full of love and kindness. 1 The independent spirit of the Vajjians was manifested notably in the great schism brought about by the bhikkhus in their clan in the life of the Buddhist Order. Their national spirit was also displayed in bringing about a momentous change in the Buddhist doctrine. A school of Buddhist thought known as the Vajjiputtakas is said to have formulated a theory of personality(puggalavada) which was unacceptable to the orthodox interpreters of Buddhism. A hundred years after the passing away of the Buddha the Vajjiputtaka bhikkhu, who were the residents of Vaisali, began to indulge in practices prejudicial to the interests of Buddhism. They proclaimed ten indulgences as permissible.2 In order to suppress the heresies among them, the Buddhist elders convened a council at Vaisali known as the Sattasatika or the convocation of the seven hundred. At this meeting the assembled bhikkhus were brought together by the exertions of the venerable Yasa. In the course of discussions, the interrogation of Revata and the exposition of the Vinaya by Sabbakami, the ten indulgences being thoroughly enquired into, a judgment of suppression was finally pronounced. 8 bude 1. Ekapanna Jataka (Cowell's Ed.), I, p 16. 2. Kern, Manual of Buddhism, p. 103; f. A. S. B., VI, Pt. II, p. 728 (1837). 3. An Examination of the Pali Buddhistical Annals, VI, Pt. II, p. 729 J. A. S. B., 1837; (Sept.).
