in Hinduism, a traditional school of religious teaching, transmitted from one teacher to another. From about the 11th century onward, several sects emerged out of Vaiṣṇavism (Vaishnavism) (worship of the god Vishnu). These sects continue to the present day. They include the Sanaka-sampradāya (also known as Nimbārkas, the followers of Nimbārka); the Śrī-sampradāya (or Śrīvaiṣṇavas, following the teaching of Rāmānuja); the Brahmā-sampradāya (or Madhvas, the followers of Madhva); and the Rudra-sampradāya (or Viṣṇusvāmins, the followers of Viṣṇusvāmin). In each case the school is named after a distant and perhaps mythological founder, such as Śrī (the goddess Lakṣmī), from whom it has been transmitted through a succession of teachers to the earthly founders of the sects.