Easy Mind Maps

Tag: Buddhism

  • Timeline of Buddhist Texts Development

    6th – 5th Century BCE

    • Teachings of Buddha (Oral Tradition)
    • Buddha’s discourses were memorized and passed down by monks.

    3rd Century BCE (Maurya Period)

    • Emperor Ashoka spreads Buddhism.
    • Rock Edicts and Pillars inscribed with Buddhist teachings.
    • Tripitaka (Vinaya, Sutta, Abhidhamma Pitaka) compiled in Pali.

    1st Century BCE (Sri Lanka – Theravada Buddhism)

    • Tripitaka was written down for the first time in Pali on palm leaves. This occurred at the Fourth Buddhist Council (29 BCE, Sri Lanka).

    1st – 3rd Century CE (Kushan Empire – Mahayana Buddhism)

    • Mahayana Sutras written in Sanskrit (e.g., Lotus Sutra, Prajnaparamita Sutras).
    • Lalitavistara Sutra (biography of Buddha).
    • Avadanas and Jataka tales written in Sanskrit.
    • King Kanishka’s Fourth Buddhist Council (78 CE, Kashmir) compiles Mahayana texts.

    4th – 5th Century CE (Gupta Empire – Expansion of Buddhist Literature)

    • Buddhist universities at Nalanda and Vikramashila spread Buddhist philosophy.
    • Sanskrit Buddhist texts like Lankavatara Sutra and Vimalakirti Sutra emerge.

    7th – 8th Century CE (Tibetan and Chinese Buddhism)

    • Buddhist texts translated into Tibetan and Chinese.
    • Tibetan Kangyur (Buddha’s Teachings) and Tengyur (Commentaries) compiled.

    10th – 12th Century CE (Decline of Buddhism in India)

    • Destruction of Buddhist monasteries (Nalanda, Vikramashila) by invaders.
    • Many Buddhist texts were preserved in Tibet, China, and Southeast Asia.

    This timeline provides a clear chronological flow of Buddhist literature.

    Buddhist Literature

  • Buddhist Literature

    Buddhism has a rich literary tradition with scriptures written in Pali and Sanskrit. These texts provide insights into Buddhist philosophy, ethics, history, and monastic rules.

    1. Classification of Buddhist Texts

    Buddhist literature is mainly divided into:

    • Pali Canon (Tripitaka) – Theravada Buddhism
    • Sanskrit Texts – Mahayana Buddhism
    • Tibetan and Chinese Texts – Vajrayana Buddhism
    CategoryDescriptionLanguage
    Tripitaka (Three Baskets)Oldest Buddhist scripturesPali
    JatakasStories of Buddha’s previous birthsPali
    MahavastuEarly Buddhist history and legendsSanskrit
    LalitavistaraBiography of BuddhaSanskrit
    AvadanasMoral storiesSanskrit
    Sutta PitakaDiscourses of BuddhaPali
    Vinaya PitakaMonastic rulesPali
    Abhidhamma PitakaBuddhist philosophyPali

    2. Tripitaka (Three Baskets) – The Core of Buddhist Literature

    Tripitaka (meaning “Three Baskets”) is the oldest and most sacred Buddhist text in the Pali language. It consists of:

    (i) Vinaya Pitaka (Rules for Monks & Nuns)

    • Contains disciplinary rules for the Sangha (monastic community).
    • Details about the life and duties of Buddhist monks and nuns.

    (ii) Sutta Pitaka (Teachings of Buddha)

    • Collection of Buddha’s discourses (sermons).
    • Most important section for Buddhist philosophy.
    • Includes famous texts like:
      • Digha Nikaya (Long Discourses)
      • Majjhima Nikaya (Middle-Length Discourses)
      • Samyutta Nikaya (Connected Discourses)
      • Anguttara Nikaya (Numerical Discourses)
      • Khuddaka Nikaya (Minor Discourses, includes Jataka tales)

    (iii) Abhidhamma Pitaka (Philosophy & Psychology)

    • Analysis of Buddhist doctrines and metaphysics.
    • Discusses mind, matter, time, and consciousness.

    3. Jataka Tales (Stories of Buddha’s Previous Births)

    • Contains 547 stories about Buddha’s previous lives.
    • Teaches moral values and karmic consequences.
    • Popular Jataka stories:
      • Vessantara Jataka – Story of Buddha’s extreme generosity.
      • Mahajanaka Jataka – Story of perseverance and wisdom.
      • Shibi Jataka – Story of sacrifice for the welfare of others.

    4. Milinda Panha (Dialogue with King Milinda)

    • Conversation between Indo-Greek King Menander (Milinda) and Buddhist monk Nagasena.
    • Explains Buddhist doctrines in simple Q&A format.

    5. Mahayana Buddhist Texts (Sanskrit Literature)

    • Developed after the Pali Canon, followed in China, Tibet, and Japan.
    • Key Mahayana texts:
    TextDescription
    Lotus SutraTeaches compassion and Bodhisattva ideals
    Lankavatara SutraTalks about mind consciousness
    Prajnaparamita SutrasPhilosophy of emptiness (Shunyata)
    Avatamsaka SutraDiscusses interconnectedness of all beings
    Vimalakirti SutraExplains Buddhist wisdom through a layman’s story

    6. Vajrayana Buddhist Texts (Tibetan Canon)

    • Developed in Tibet and Mongolia, focusing on tantric rituals.
    • Two main collections:
      • Kangyur (Buddha’s teachings)
      • Tengyur (Commentaries by Buddhist scholars)

    7. Buddhist Texts & Ashoka’s Contribution

    • Emperor Ashoka (Maurya Dynasty, 3rd Century BCE) spread Buddhism by inscribing Buddha’s teachings on rock edicts and pillars.
    • He sent Buddhist texts and monks to Sri Lanka, China, and Central Asia.

    8. Objective Questions for Competitive Exams

    1. Which is the oldest Buddhist scripture?
      (a) Jataka Tales
      (b) Tripitaka
      (c) Mahavastu
      (d) Avadanas
      Answer: (b) Tripitaka
    2. Which part of the Tripitaka contains Buddha’s teachings?
      (a) Vinaya Pitaka
      (b) Sutta Pitaka
      (c) Abhidhamma Pitaka
      (d) Jataka
      Answer: (b) Sutta Pitaka
    3. What is the language of the Tripitaka?
      (a) Sanskrit
      (b) Pali
      (c) Prakrit
      (d) Tibetan
      Answer: (b) Pali
    4. Which Buddhist text contains stories of Buddha’s previous births?
      (a) Digha Nikaya
      (b) Jataka Tales
      (c) Vinaya Pitaka
      (d) Mahavastu
      Answer: (b) Jataka Tales
    5. Who was the Greek King mentioned in the Buddhist text Milinda Panha?
      (a) Antiochus
      (b) Alexander
      (c) Menander
      (d) Kanishka
      Answer: (c) Menander
    6. Which Mahayana text teaches about Bodhisattva ideals?
      (a) Lotus Sutra
      (b) Vinaya Pitaka
      (c) Milinda Panha
      (d) Abhidhamma Pitaka
      Answer: (a) Lotus Sutra
    7. Which Buddhist text discusses the concept of emptiness (Shunyata)?
      (a) Lankavatara Sutra
      (b) Vimalakirti Sutra
      (c) Prajnaparamita Sutra
      (d) Jataka Tales
      Answer: (c) Prajnaparamita Sutra
    8. Which part of the Tripitaka deals with monastic discipline?
      (a) Vinaya Pitaka
      (b) Sutta Pitaka
      (c) Abhidhamma Pitaka
      (d) Dhammapada
      Answer: (a) Vinaya Pitaka
    9. Which Buddhist text is written in a Q&A format between a Greek king and a Buddhist monk?
      (a) Milinda Panha
      (b) Sutta Pitaka
      (c) Jataka Tales
      (d) Vinaya Pitaka
      Answer: (a) Milinda Panha
    10. Which Buddhist text is considered the biography of Buddha?
      (a) Lalitavistara
      (b) Jataka
      (c) Milinda Panha
      (d) Vinaya Pitaka
      Answer: (a) Lalitavistara

    Conclusion

    Buddhist texts offer valuable insights into the teachings, philosophy, and life of Buddha. They played a crucial role in spreading Buddhism across India and beyond.

    timeline of Buddhist literature expansion