An heretical sect, which broke off from the Theravādins at the same time as the Vajjiputtakā. The sect was later divided into the Sabbaṭṭhivādins and the Dhammaguttikas (Mhv.v. 6, 8; Dpv.v.45, 47; MT. 174 f; Mhv. 96). They held that the truth of nirodha had two aspects (Kvu.ii.11; see also viii.9; xviii.6; xix.8; xx.5; and Rockhill, op.cit., 182‑186, 191‑192). Buddhadeva Thera, at whose request the Jātakaṭṭhakathā was written, belonged to the Mahiṃsāsaka Vaṃsa (J.i.1).
Fa Hsien found a group of monks belonging to this sect in Sri Lanka. (Giles, op.cit., p.76.).