1. Introduction
- What are Buddhist Texts?: Sacred scriptures that contain the teachings of Gautama Buddha, monastic rules, and philosophical discussions.
- Time Period: 5th Century BCE – 12th Century CE.
- Languages: Pali, Sanskrit, Tibetan, and Chinese.
- Divisions:
- Early Buddhist Texts (5th – 3rd Century BCE) → Teachings of Buddha & monastic rules.
- Mahayana Buddhist Texts (1st Century CE onwards) → Expanded philosophy & metaphysics.
- Vajrayana Buddhist Texts (7th Century CE onwards) → Tantric Buddhism & rituals.
2. Timeline of Buddhist Texts
| Period | Buddhist Texts | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| 5th Century BCE | Oral Teachings of Buddha | Early discourses (Suttas) memorized by monks. |
| 3rd Century BCE | Tripitaka (Pali Canon) | First written Buddhist scriptures, compiled during Third Buddhist Council (Ashoka’s reign). |
| 1st Century BCE | Jataka Tales | Stories of Buddha’s past lives with moral teachings. |
| 1st Century CE | Mahayana Sutras | New Buddhist scriptures focusing on Bodhisattva ideals. Includes Lotus Sutra, Heart Sutra, Avatamsaka Sutra. |
| 2nd Century CE | Shastras (Buddhist Commentaries) | Nagarjuna’s Madhyamaka Karika explains Sunyata (emptiness). |
| 4th Century CE | Vajrayana Texts (Tantric Buddhism) | Focus on mantras, rituals, and meditation (e.g., Guhyasamaja Tantra). |
| 5th Century CE | Buddhacharita (by Ashvaghosha) | Biography of Gautama Buddha. |
| 7th Century CE | Tibetan Buddhist Texts | Translation of Buddhist texts into Tibetan by Padmasambhava. |
| 12th Century CE | Decline of Buddhism in India | Buddhist texts preserved mainly in Tibet, China, Sri Lanka. |
3. Major Buddhist Scriptures
✔ Tripitaka (Three Baskets) → Core Buddhist Canon
- Vinaya Pitaka → Monastic rules.
- Sutta Pitaka → Buddha’s discourses.
- Abhidhamma Pitaka → Buddhist philosophy & psychology.
✔ Mahayana Sutras → Expanded Buddhist Teachings
- Lotus Sutra → Importance of compassion.
- Heart Sutra → Concept of emptiness.
- Lankavatara Sutra → Mind and consciousness.
✔ Vajrayana Texts → Tantric Buddhism
- Guhyasamaja Tantra → Secret teachings.
- Hevajra Tantra → Advanced meditation techniques.
✔ Historical & Biographical Texts
- Buddhacharita (by Ashvaghosha) → Buddha’s life.
- Milindapanha → Dialogues between Greek king Menander & Buddhist monk Nagasena.
4. Importance of Buddhist Texts
✔ Preserve the original teachings of Buddha.
✔ Explain Buddhist philosophy, karma, and Nirvana.
✔ Guide monks and laypeople in their spiritual journey.
✔ Influence art, culture, and literature across Asia.
5. MCQs on Buddhist Texts
- Which Buddhist text is considered the oldest?
a) Mahayana Sutras
b) Tripitaka
c) Vajrayana Texts
d) Buddhacharita
➤ Answer: b) Tripitaka - Who wrote the Buddhacharita?
a) Nagarjuna
b) Ashvaghosha
c) Vasubandhu
d) Padmasambhava
➤ Answer: b) Ashvaghosha - Which text contains the monastic rules for Buddhist monks?
a) Sutta Pitaka
b) Abhidhamma Pitaka
c) Vinaya Pitaka
d) Jataka Tales
➤ Answer: c) Vinaya Pitaka - Which of the following is a Mahayana Buddhist text?
a) Lotus Sutra
b) Milindapanha
c) Dhammapada
d) Hevajra Tantra
➤ Answer: a) Lotus Sutra - Which Buddhist scripture discusses the concept of Sunyata (emptiness)?
a) Heart Sutra
b) Milindapanha
c) Vinaya Pitaka
d) Jataka Tales
➤ Answer: a) Heart Sutra
6. Subjective Questions for Exams
- Discuss the historical development of Buddhist texts from oral traditions to written scriptures.
- What are the three Pitakas in the Tripitaka? Explain their importance.
- How do Mahayana Buddhist texts differ from Theravāda Buddhist texts?
- Explain the role of Vajrayana Buddhist texts in Tantric Buddhism.
- What is the significance of the Jataka Tales in Buddhist literature?
7. Conclusion
Buddhist texts are the foundation of Buddhist teachings, preserving Buddha’s philosophy and guiding generations of followers. They influenced religion, philosophy, and culture across Asia, making them essential for understanding Buddhism’s evolution. 🚀
This structured format ensures easy recall for competitive exams like UPSC, SSC, and State PSCs. Let me know if you need modifications! 😊