knn make me du lan go read my textbook again. next time you want to argue on such topic, you make sure you are very clear on this, bloody make me confuse thought i learn the wrong things in my buddhist studies days.
lim bey reread about the 3rd buddhist council. it has got to do with the interpretation of the sutta by 2 different groups. as buddhism got more popular that time, a lot of monks from other religion lost their earning/incoming so decided to join buddhism sangha. they brought along their own interpretation of the teaching.
This very group think they very smart go introduce the idea of self into the teaching-sabbatthivadin (teaching of all exist) and the other group which is the one following the original interpretation of the teaching - vibhajavada/also known as sthaviravada. at this very point in time, both group still shares the same tipitaka.
after the proceeding of the 3rd buddhism council with king asoka around, sabbatthivadin run road to kashmir region forming the sarvastivada sect and gain powerful influence in that region. King Asoka then dispatch Ven. Mahinda (his own son, which is obviously belonging to vibhajavada ) to Ceylon to convert the king there to buddhism. Buddhism took root there and present day theravada sect all traced its root back to Sri-lanka
Now, what cock you trying to say? Present day theravada linked to Mahāsāṃghika? where you learn that from, knn make me flip through a few sources. you want to argue on such thing ask me to read, you yourself also better do your homework