But long after their earliest inmates had conquered Desire and had gained Nirvana for their souls the followers of the mahayana school from Northern India took the dwellings for their own use and carved out of the austere walls of their precursors' cells those images and idols which are now the chief feature of the caves.
"By-Ways of Bombay"
S. M. Edwardes, C.V.O.
Nor has Vandalism in the guise of the mahayana school been alone at work here.
"By-Ways of Bombay"
S. M. Edwardes, C.V.O.
It is a simple record of respect paid to a great human teacher who is not in any way deified nor does Asoka's language show any trace of the doctrines afterwards known under the name of mahayana.
"Hinduism and Buddhism, Vol I. (of 3) An Historical Sketch"
Charles Eliot