A heretical doctrine that was introduced into Sri Lanka by Vohārikatissa, but was suppressed by his minister Kapila (Mhv.xxxvi.41; Dpv.xxii.40). It appeared again later, and though officially disapproved, it does seem to have pushed its way among the monks of Sri Lanka, chiefly the Dhammaruci (q.v.) e.g., in the reigns of Goṭhābhaya (Mhv.xxxvi.111), Mahāsena, (xxxvii.1 ff ), and Aggabodhi I. (Cv.xlii.35).

Vetullavāda is generally identified with the Mahāyāna school of Buddhism. See Mhv. Trs. 259, n.2; also Hocart, Memoirs of the Archaeological Survey of Sri Lanka, i.1922, p.15 ff.

The Vetulla Piṭaka, the canon of the Vetullavādins, is condemned as not the Buddha’s word (abuddhavacana). e.g., SA.ii.150; cf. Sp.iv.742, where it is called Vedaḷha Piṭaka.