Q. With reference to Buddhist Tripitakas, consider the following pairs
Text | Content |
1. Vinaya Pitaka | Philosophical matters |
2. Sutta Pitaka | Teachings of Buddha |
3. Abhidhamma Pitaka | Rules for sangha |
Explanation:
The Buddha taught orally and none of the Buddha’s speeches were written down during his lifetime.After his death (c. fifth-fourth century BCE) his teachings were compiled by his disciples at a council of “elders” or senior monks at Vaishali in present-day Bihar. These compilations were known as Tipitaka – literally, three baskets to hold different types of texts. They were first transmitted orally and then written and classified according to length as well as subject matter. The Vinaya Pitaka included rules and regulations for those who joined the sangha or monastic order; the Buddha’s teachings were included in the Sutta Pitaka; and the Abhidhamma Pitaka dealt with philosophical matters.