The Pali Literature

The term ‘pali’ means “a line” and is concerned with the set of sacred texts of the Buddhists. The nature of Pali Literature is religious and philosophical. A rich collection of Buddhist texts and scriptures, the earliest and most significant pali literature, constitutes the Pali Canon. Tipitaka is referred to as the basis and most important part of the teachings of Buddha. It is discovered that almost all Buddha’s original teachings are contained in Tipitaka. It is known that the 25000-year-old Theravada tradition is preserved in the pali, which are popularly called ‘Buddhavachana’- the words of Buddha. 

History of the Pali Literature:

When talking about the history of pali literature, it is claimed to be an actual speech of Lord Buddha. The earlier name given to the pali language and literature is Magadhi which means the language of the province Magadha in Eastern India roughly corresponding to the modern Indian state Bihar. Pali signifies the very tenet of Buddhism, and the foundation of the same is contained in the texts of the Pali Literature. The Theravada in Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia is the only Buddhist school where this particular language is still in use. 

According to a history of pali literature, the pali is a very refined and pure language used for communication in the early years of 600-200 BC. The Pali language was not only used in India but also in other neighbouring nations. Although the use of Pali as a language is not widely witnessed in the contemporary world, a rich heritage of the socio-cultural environment of not only India but other countries like Sri Lanka, Thailand, etc., is left behind. 

Use of Pali language in Buddhist Canons

The earliest and most significant Pali Literature, the Tripitaka Was put together in different councils. There are some factual proofs proving that the council of King Vattagamani Abaya in Sri Lanka from the first century complied with the Theravada Tipitaka. It was only after the demise of Buddha. The first council came into existence. The council was head by Mahakassapathera as a chairman, and over 500 disciples took place in it, including Ananda and Upali. These disciples recited the teachings of Buddha, and this is through the recitation that the Buddhist discourses and monastic rules were specified. This grand recitation marked the beginning of Tiptika. 

The Canon of Theravada Buddhists is the oldest literature preserved in Pali. It is the only Buddhist canon extant in its entirety in the language used in India. Consequently, it can be said that it is linguistically the oldest form of Buddhist scriptures ever known. 

The Tipitaka (Triple Basket) is also called Pali Canon and is further divided into three ‘baskets’. These include Vinaya Pitaka, Sutta Pitaka, and Abhidhamma Pitaka. 

Pali Literature and Language: Different Types

The Tipitaka, the oldest form of Pali Literature, is translated into a three-fold basket of teachings forming the three broad parts- Vinaya Pitaka, Sutta Pitaka, and Abhidhamma Pitaka. These are explained as below:

Vinaya Pitaka

Vinaya Pitaka, also referred to as the Basket of Discipline, deals with the monastic and royal administration. The Vinaya Pitaka is further classified into three parts. 

In the beginning, Suttavibhanga is also referred to as the Explanation of the Sutta. It is an old commentary in which the sutta is itself embedded. Sutta here refers to the set of 227 rules (Patimokkha) that regulate every monk’s life. Some of these rules are among the oldest Buddhist texts preserved, and each monk must recite these texts twice every month in every monastery.

The second part of Vinaya Pitaka, the Khandhaka, consists of the rules that govern the life of a community as a whole. The Khandhaka is further divided into 12 parts.

The third part of Vinaya Pitaka is Parivara, a handbook comprising the collection of texts containing the summaries of the Vinaya.

Sutta Pitaka

Sutta Pitaka also referred to as the Basket of Sayings, consists of long discourses believed to have been taught by Buddha to his disciples. The Sutta Pitaka is further classified into four parts. 

The first part, Dighanikaya, comprises twenty-four texts and contains one of the most popular Buddhist texts, the Mahaparinibbana-Sutta.

The second part of Sutta Pitaka, the Majjhimanikaya, contains 152 texts explaining different aspects of Buddhist teaching in the form of dialogues.

The last two parts, Samyuttanikaya and Anguttaranikaya, are mostly short texts presenting the teaching in a more systematic form.

Abhidhamma Pitaka

Abhidhamma Pitaka also referred to as the Basket of Dharma, consists of numerous philosophical and psychological works. The seven texts comprise the Kathavatthu, where the conflicting opinions on different ideologies and points of Buddhist teaching are discussed.

Conclusion

The Pali Literature is the sacred language and script primarily concerned with the Theravada sect of Buddhism. It is a rich collection of Buddhist texts and scriptures, and when it comes to the nature of Pali Literature, it’s religious and philosophical. This article will guide you through the history, oldest scripts, and parts of the Pali literature and language.