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The Tripitaka
LO: To evaluate how the Tripitaka
influences Buddhist actions
History
• At first none of the Buddha’s teachings were written
down. People were used to remembering important
teachings. However soon after he passed away
people thought it would be a good idea to make sure
that there was a clear record of what the Buddha
had said and taught.
Meeting
• 500 Buddhist monks met and all the Buddha’s
teachings were recited. They all agreed on
the teachings. This teaching was passed
down by the monks orally for 400 years.
Eventually it was decided that the teachings
should be written down into what we now
know as the Pali Canon.
KEY WORDS
PALI = language spoken by Buddha
CANON = Collection of writings
What is the Pali Canon?
• The Pali Canon is the complete scripture
collection of the Theravada branch of
Buddhism. As such, it is the only set of
scriptures preserved in the language of its
composition.
• It is called the Tripitaka or "Three Baskets"
because it includes the Vinaya Pitaka or
"Basket of Discipline," the Sutta Pitaka or
"Basket of Discourses," and the Abhidhamma
Pitaka or "Basket of Higher Teachings".
The Vinaya Pitaka
• This contains the teachings of
the Buddha, which lay down
the code of conduct. These
specific rules teach Buddhists
how to live their lives in
accordance to the ultimate
realisation of Nirvana.
The Sutta Pitaka
• This section contains the
discourses and sermons of
the Buddha. It is the written
source of authority for
Buddhism. It is divided into 5
sections by length and
subject matter of the
sermons, rather than in any
chronological order.
The Abidhamma Pitaka
•The third main section f the Pali Canon
is not the direct word of the Buddha,
but a more philosophical understanding
of the Sutta Pitaka.
•Abidhamma means ‘higher teaching’
and is for the more advanced, scholarly
Buddhist, normally an educated monk.
It deals with the concept of nature, the
world and the mind.
Three baskets task:
1. Label the three baskets in accordance to Buddhist tradition
with a brief explanation of what each basket represents
2. Organise the teachings into the correct baskets
3. Think of your own teachings and add them to the correct
baskets – see if your partner can identify your teachings
Name that Basket
The Vinaya Pitaka
Name that Basket
The Abidhamma Pitaka
Name that Basket
The Sutta Pitaka
Name that Basket
The Abidhamma Pitaka
Name that Basket
The Sutta Pitaka
Name that Basket
The Vinaya Pitaka