What is ancient Buddhism?

Answer 1

The orthodox view is that Theravada Buddhism is the oldest form.

However there is serious evidence to suggest other older forms which once existed have how died out.

Recent manuscripts finds and by comparing old Chinese copies of the older Indian texts, we can safely assume there were other forms of Buddhism which have died out.

If one does serious study you see that even the date of Buddha's life time is disputed.

But we know definetly within 100-200 years the approximate time he lived. It was approximetly 300 years BC, but dont take that literally as different Buddhist countries have different dates.

Dont shoot me I am just the messanger and an ex Buddhist monk on top.