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Texts and Canons in Buddhist Studies

Pali Canon

The Pali Canon, also known as the Tipiṭaka, is the standard collection of scriptures in the Theravada Buddhist tradition. Composed in the Pali language, it is the most complete surviving canonical collection of texts in a classical Indian language. The Pali Canon is divided into three "baskets" (piṭakas): the Vinaya Piṭaka, the Sutta Piṭaka, and the Abhidhamma Piṭaka. These texts serve as the doctrinal foundation for Theravada Buddhism and include rules for monastic discipline, discourses, and philosophical treatises.

Chinese Buddhist Canon

The Chinese Buddhist canon encompasses a vast collection of Buddhist texts translated into Chinese, which are recognized as authoritative in various East Asian traditions. This canon includes texts brought to China by monks such as Tang Sanzang and consists of numerous sutras, vinayas, and commentaries. Notable collections within this canon include the Taishō Tripiṭaka and the Tripitaka Koreana. These texts have greatly influenced Chinese Buddhism, Japanese Buddhism, Korean Buddhism, and Vietnamese Buddhism.

Tibetan Buddhist Canon

The Tibetan Buddhist canon is a well-defined collection of sacred texts recognized by various schools of Tibetan Buddhism. It consists of two main parts: the Kangyur ("Translation of the Words of the Buddha") and the Tengyur ("Translation of Treatises"). The Kangyur contains texts attributed to the Buddha, while the Tengyur includes commentaries by Indian and Tibetan scholars. This canon is crucial for the study and practice of Tibetan Buddhism and has been translated into the Tibetan language, preserving many works originally composed in Sanskrit.

Gandhāran Buddhist Texts

The Gandhāran Buddhist texts are the oldest known Buddhist manuscripts, dating from the 1st century BCE to the 3rd century CE. These texts were discovered in the Gandhāra region, which was a significant link between Indian and East Asian Buddhism. Written in the Gāndhārī Prakrit language using the Kharosthi script, these manuscripts include early versions of sutras, vinayas, and abhidhamma texts. They provide valuable insights into the early development and transmission of Buddhist literature.

Connections and Influences

All these canons and texts represent the rich and diverse textual traditions within Buddhism. The Pali Canon is predominantly followed in Theravada countries such as Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Myanmar. The Chinese Buddhist canon has influenced numerous East Asian Buddhist traditions, while the Tibetan Buddhist canon is central to Tibetan Buddhism. The ancient Gandhāran Buddhist texts illustrate the early spread of Buddhism along the Silk Road, highlighting its historical and geographical proliferation.

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Texts And Canons