According to the Sri Lanka timeline, the Mahayana Canon might have been burnt twice in the course of history. In China, we find that several major sutras have different versions such that they are different in words and lengths. There were various Mahayana sutras that spread to China at various times. For example, the Lotus Sutra, there are many different versions of it existing in China today, and there is no doubt that there are new chapters written by later scholars that are not the original teachings of the Buddha.
However, the Pali Canon (Theravada Canon) has always been well-preserved and re-examined in the Buddhist Councils for more than 2,500 years.
Major events before Venerable Buddhaghosa arrived Sri Lanka (Ceylon):
| Kings of Ceylon | Relevant Events | References |
| Devanampiya - Tissa: B.C. 307 - 267 | Arrival in Ceylon of the Arahant Mahinda bringing Pali Tipitaka with Commentaries; Commentaries translated into Sinhalese; Great Monastery founded. | Mahavamsa, Ch. 13 |
| Dutthagamani 161 -137 | Many names of Gt. M. (Great Monastery) elders, noted in Commentaries for virtuous behavior traceable to this and following reign. | Mv. Chs. 25-32 |
| Vattagamani 104 - 88 | Bhikkhus all disperse from Great Monastery to South and to India. | Mv. 33, 33f. |
| Restoration of king after 14 years and return of Bhikkhus. | AA.i, 92 | |
| Foundation of Abhayagiri Monastery by king. | Mv.33, 78 | |
| Abh. M. (Abhayagiri Monastery) secedes from Gt. M. and becomes schism .html" target="" title=""> schism .html" target="" title=""> schism .html" target="" title=""> schism .html" target="" title=""> schism .html" target="" title=""> schism .html" target="" title=""> schism .html" target="" title=""> schism atic. | Mv.33, 81 & 96 | |
| Committal by Gt. M. of Pali Tipitaka to writing for first time (away from royal capital). | Mv.33, 100; | |
| Nikaya-Sangraha (trsl.) pp.10-11 | ||
| Abh. M. adopts "Dhammaruci Nikaya of Vajjiputtaka Sect" of India | Ns. p.11 | |
| Meeting of Gt. M. Bhikkhus decides that care of texts and preaching comes before practice of their contents. | AA.i, 92f | |
| EHBC, p.78 | ||
| Bhatikabhaya B.C. 20 - A.C. 9 | Dispute between Gt. M. and Abh. M. over Vinaya adjudged by Brahman Dighakarayana in favor of Gt. M. | Vin.A. 582; |
| EHBC, p.99 | ||
| Khanirajani-Tissa 30 - 33 | 60 Bhikkhus punished for treason. | Mv. 35,10 |
| Gajabahu I 113-135 | Abh. M. supported by king and enlarged. | Mv. 35, 119 |
| 6 kings 135 -215 | Mentions of royal support for Gt. M. and Abh. M. | Mv. 35, 1, 7, 24, 33, 65 |
| Voharika-Tissa 215-237 | King supports both monasteries. | |
| Abh. M. has adopted Vetulya (Mahayana?) Pitaka | Ns. p.12 | |
| King suppresses Vetulya doctrines | Mv.36, 41 | |
| Vetulya books burnt and heretic Bhikkhus disgraced. | Ns. p.12 | |
| Corruption of Bhikkhus by Vitandavadins (heretics or destructive critics). | Dipavamsa Ch. 22, 23 | |
| Gothabhaya 254-267 | Gt. M. supported by the king | Mv.36, 102 |
| 60 Bhikkhus in Abh. M. banished by king for upholding Vetulya doctrines | Mv.36, 111 | |
| Secession from Abh. M.; new sect formed | Ns. p.13 | |
| Indian Bhikkhu Sanghamitta supports Abh. M. | Mv.36, 112 | |
| Jettha-Tissa 267-277 | King favors Gt. M.; Sanghamitta flees to India | Mv.36, 123 |
| Mahasena 277-304 | King protects Sanghamitta, who returns. Persecution of Gt. M.; its Bhikkhus driven from capital for 9 years. | Mv.37, 1-50 |
| Sanghamitta was assassinated. | Mv.37, 27 | |
| Restoration of Gt. M. | EHBC, p.92 | |
| Vetulya books burnt again. | EHBC, p.92 | |
| Mahanama 412-434 | Bh. Buddhaghosa arrives in Ceylon. | Mv.37, 215-46 |
