Sautra^ntika. One of the 20 Hi^naya^na sects. This sect itself had an original group and a branch group. Both factions posited a basic seed consciousness theory. The original group developed the idea of the continuation of sam!sa^ra by mutual perfumation of consciousness and materiality; the branch sect established the theory of a subtle "a^laya" consciousness that is beginningless. As the name indicates， this school was known for its strict reliance on the su^tras 经， rather than on /sa^stras 论 and abhidharma.