MAHVASTU

   an important SANSKRIT biography of the BUDDHA written from the viewpoint of the Lokottaravda school of BUDDHISM. The meaning of which is "the Great Event." According to the teachings of this SCRIPTURE the Buddhas are "Exalted BEINGS" who are "above the world" and therefore only appear to conform to a worldly EXISTENCE. This teaching is a transitional one in the development of the MAHYNA. The text is usually dated around the third century.