The MahÄsÄṃghika was one of the early buddhist schools in ancient India which is now extinct (i.e. its ordination lineage does not continue). The origins of the MahÄsÄṃghika (Devanagari महासांघिक) (lit. "Great[er]-Community" or majority) sect of Buddhism are still extremely uncertain, and the subject of intense debate among scholars.