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Buddhism Sacred Texts
The study of Buddhist texts is one of the most
important religious activities a Buddhist can
perform.
After the death of Buddha the Sangha
(community) compiled his teachings and these
were transmitted through an oral tradition. The
rules of the Sangha and the Buddha’s teachings
were recited in the Pali language.
The collection of writings was known as the
Tripitaka, or “three baskets”. These included the
discourses of Buddha, the rules of discipline for
Buddhist monks and nuns, and further
knowledge or teachings.
Vinaya Pitaka (Basket of Discipline)
This is the smallest ‘basket’ and it is comprised
of 227 rules for monks and 311 rules for nuns,
that cover subjects such as simplicity and
celibacy.
The Vinaya has three sections:
1. Sutra-vibhanga: contains rules, explanations and
commentaries
2. Khandhaka: deals with regulations for communal living as
well as rules for clothing and food
3. Parivara: contains extra precepts that vary from school to
school.
Sutra Pitaka (Basket of Threads)
The Sutra Pitaka is a collection of myths, stories, sayings
and teachings related to the Buddha. It is usually
divided into 5 sections called nikayas:
1. Digha Nikaya: has 34 sutras, including a sutra which is
thought to contain some of the actual words of the Buddha
2. Majjhima Nikaya:has 152 sutras grouped into fifteen
sections.
3. Samyutta Nikaya: has 7762 sutras in 56 groups that are
arranged according to subject.
4. Anguttara Nikaya: contains 2308 sutras organised in eleven
groups that are single teachings.
5. Khuddaka Nikaya: has 15 sutras that are minor teachings that
do not easily fit into the other nikayas.
Abhidhamma Pitaka (Basket of Higher Teaching)
The third basket contains seven separate works which
reflect the early doctrine of Buddhism, but also explore
the ideas from a philosophical perspective.
These texts are considered to be a highly
advanced form of the Buddha’s teachings that were
revealed from the heavenly realm after his death.
Over time the scriptures were translated into a variety
of languages and further interpretations were added.
When the Sangha divided, Mahayana Buddhists
recorded their version of the scriptures using sanskrit,
and ancient Indian language. There is no fixed canon
for Mahayana Buddhism which also uses texts in
Tibetan, Japanese and Chinese.
The Chinese Canon has 45 supplementary volumes and
includes the Tantras and the Sastras, commentaries,
histories, biographies, encyclopedias and dictionaries.
The Lotus Sutra is widely used by
Mahayana Buddhists in East Asia.
The Tibetan Canon contains much of the Chinese
Canon, as well as some texts that are unique to
Tibetan Buddhism. Books or texts as considered
sacred because they contain the Dharma. They are
kept in places of honour in shrines.
It is widely thought that Zen Buddhism
bypasses the written texts altogether
and professes an oral transmission of
truths from generation to generation,
outside of the scriptures. But Zen
Buddhists do incorporate sacred texts
and also use ‘Koans’ to help break
through the delusions of the mind.
The Great Prajna Paramita Heart
Sutra
Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva, practicing deep Prajna
Paramita,
Clearly saw that all five skandhas are empty,
Transforming anguish and distress.
Shariputra, form is no other than emptiness,
Emptiness no other than form;
Form is exactly emptiness, emptiness exactly form;
Sensation, perception, mental reaction, consciousness
Are also like this.
Shariputra, all things are essentially empty –
Not born, not destroyed;
Not stained, not pure; without loss, without gain.
Therefore in emptiness there is no form, no sensation,
No eye, ear, nose tongue, body, mind,
No colour, sound, smell, taste, touch,
Object of thought;
No seeing and so on to no thinking;
No ignorance and also no ending of ignorance,
And so on to no old age and death;
No anguish, cause of anguish, cessation, path;
No wisdom and no attainment.
Since there is nothing to attain,
The Bodhisattva lives by Prajna Paramita,
With no hindrance in the mind;
No hindrance and therefore no fear;
Far beyond delusive thinking, right here is Nirvana.
All Buddhas of past, present, and future
Live by Prajna Paramita,
Attaining Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi.
Therefore know that Prajna Paramita
Is the great sacred mantra, the great vivid mantra,
The unsurpassed mantra, the supreme mantra,
Which completely removes all anguish.
This is truth, not mere formality.
Therefore set forth the Prajna Paramita mantra,
Set forth this mantra and proclaim:
Gate Gate paragate parasamgate
Bodhi Svaha!
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gbhkcg4
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• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0DMYs4
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Further Information
http://www.bl.uk/onlinegallery/sacredtexts/index.html
http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/buddhism/
http://www.sacred-texts.com/bud/
http://www.teachingsofthebuddha.com/buddhist_sac
red_texts.htm
http://www.britishmuseum.org/whats_on/exhibitions
/buddhism_across_asia.aspx
References
Goldburg, Peta. Investigating World Religions.
Cambridge University Press, New York, 2009.