Pali Canon

What is another name for the Pali Canon?

Tipitaka

In which schools does the Pali Canon hold authority?

Theravada, Tibetan and some others

When and where was the first version of the Pali Canon thought to be written?

Sri Lanka, 1st century BCE

What does Tipitaka translate to?

three baskets

What are the 3 baskets?

Vinaya Pitaka - monastic rules

Sutta Pitaka - stories and teachings of the Buddha

Abhidhamma Pitaka - philosophical discourses and commentaries of later scholars

What boundary shows where the Vinaya is in place?

Sima

How many rules are there for bhikkunis?

311

In which council were the rules written down?

4th council

Which early Buddhist sect left a written record of the Vinaya that most Mahayana monastic orders follow today?

Dharmaguptaka

How were rules formed by the Buddha? Which quote hughlights the importance of this?

As a response to accounts of misconduct within the Sangha

"emphasis that the rules are all grounded on the realities of life" - Clarke and Thompson

What are the 3 sections of the Vinaya Pitaka?

Suttavibhanga - patimokkha, posessions rules, parajikas, training rules, settling disputes

Khandhaka - account of Buddha's life after enlightenment, gives acount of first 2 Buddhist councils, guidance on etiquette, rituals and organisation of Sangha (retreats, food rules, dress codes, division)

Parivara - summary of rules (mainly for monastic training)

Where were the suttas first recited?

At the first council by Ananda

What are the suttas seen as? Does this necessarily mean this is true?

Buddha vacana - the word of the Buddha

No it is a way to give authority and may be an indirect affirmation of his words later

What are the 5 sections of the Sutta Pitaka?

Digha Nikaya (longest discourses) - 34 sermons including false teachings, asectism, 12 nidanas, meditation, etc

Mjjhima Nikaya - 152 sermons including Buddha's enlightenment, renunciation, advice on meditation, past lives, 8fold path, arhat

Samyutta Nikaya - kindred sayings, 2889 short discourses on themes like 4 truths, 8fold path, nidanas, skandhas

Anguttara Nikaya - 2308 short sayings on themes like karma, meditation, loving kindness, monastic duties

Khuddaka Nikaya - shortests texts, includes Dhammapada and Jataka Tales, 4 truths, 3 refuges, loving kindness, blind man and elephant, Mara, past lives

What is the name given to a Buddha that is enlightened alone and doesn't go on to teach?

Pratekya-Buddha

What did Sarah Shaw say was given to the suttas by their wide audience?

"wide ranging and human appeal"

What does the Buddha use as seen in the Sutta Pitaka?

Upaya kosala -> skilful means

What is the Dhammapada? Why is it highly regarded?

423 verses of collection of sayings of the Buddha

Easily memorised, has authority

Many lay keep a copy

Source of inspiration and practical guide

What is the significance of the Jatakas?

Emphasise cultivating 10 perfections

Reinforce doctrine of rebirth

Can be used to teach morality

Attractive to lay people

Who is the Abhidhamma thought to be more appropriate for?

More experienced monks

When may have the Abhidhamma been added?

3rd council

How is the Abhidhamma differentiated from the other section?

"the Buddha's teaching stated in bare and general terms without reference to any particular circumstances" - Gethin

How did Gombrich see the Abhidhamma?

"A scholastic elaboration of doctrine, especially in regards to the analysis of mind"

What is the Pali Text Society

A UK organisation set up by TW Rhys Davids in 1881 to foster nd promote the study of Pali texts with English translations

Who believes that the Pali Canon contains all the teachings needed to guide towards achieving nibbana?

Theravadins

What is the name of the custom of reciting parts of the Pali Canon?

Sangiti