In India around BC 600, there was school of philosophy which was pre- Buddhistic and non-Brahmanical. Each of the members accepted the view of non existence of Karmic forces, the skepticism, the materialism and so on. Among the various, the vada of Gotama Buddha was also the famous one. Gotama has the name of Buddha's clan. Buddha, meaning the Enlightened one, was an appellation given to him as he had attained perfect wisdom. He taught and practiced several religious ideals common to Buddhism. Hundered years after, the diamise of the Buddha, the second Buddhist council was held because the Bhikkhus of the Vijji clan from Vesali preached and practised ten unlawful modifications in the Rules of the order. Therefore the samgha became divided.
This brought about the split of samghas. The group who retained the original doctrine was called sthaviravdins. Another group who reconstructed Buddhism became knows as the Mahaasamghikas. (Later Mahayanas)
Theravada Buddhism (Teaching of the Elders)
