Buddha’s teachings or Preaches - Abhidhamma Pitaka (3rd and last Pitaka) and other Bodh books.

                                                                              Bodhgaya

Buddha’s teachings or Preaches are in Sanskrit and Pali language, in books; which were compiled by his followers.

These books are – 

“Tripitaka” - (Tri – Three and Pitaka means Basket.) in ‘Pali’ is the most important book of Bodh Dharma.   

Wheeler and Rid Devidz have said that Pitaka means Basket, because those days manuscript in India was put into a basket with care.

In Tripitaka there are 3 books – Vinaya Pitaka, Sutta Pitaka, and Abhidhamma Pitaka.  

Abhidhamma Pitaka - 

The meaning of ‘Abhi’ is Highest (Ucchatara). 

The subject of this Pitaka is Dharma but its analysis is on a different highest level. 

There is philosophy in this analysis. 

Its parts are – DhammaSangini, Vibhanga, DhatuKatha, PuggalPanjati and KathaVatthu. 

Kathavatthu is the most important part of this Pitaka.

It is said that ‘MogaliPuttaTisya’ compiled this Pitaka during 3^rd Bodh Sangiti of ‘Patliputra’.

It seems appendix was being added time to time.

Other books in Pali are – Milinda Panho, Deepvansa and Mahavansa.

Milinda Panho - 

  

In this book there are talks in between Indo – Greek ruler Milind (Minandar) and Bodh Monk Nagasena. 

Milinda is a man of religious nature.  He wanted to clear his doubts.

In his search he got into contact with Nagasena. 

This book is all about his doubts and Nagasena answers.  

After the death of Minandar the Greek rule ended in India, but this book make a memory of Minandar or Milinda.

Deepvansa – 

In this book there is history of ‘Sinhala deepa’ (Sri Lanka).

This book is based on extinct book “Attha Kathao”. 

This book is not considered a historical book. 

It’s full of stories and with exaggerated matters.

This book is written in 4^th – 5^th AD. This book is in Poetry form.

Mahavansa –

Another book on Sinhala (Sri Lanka) is Mahavansa. 

This book is written by ‘Mahanama’ in 5^th century.

 Style of poetry writing is better than ‘Deepvansa’. 

Its subject is vivid and range is wide.

It is also full of stories and with exaggerated matters.

But we have not to forget that we got special knowledge and details about Emperor Chandragupta from these Sinhla books.

There are some books with Comments (Tika, Bhasya). 

They are – 

a. Sumangal – Vilasani, b. Samant – Pasadika and c. Mahavansa Tika etc.

In Sanskrit Buddhist Books – 

Most books are of Mahayana but some books are of Hinayana too.

a. Mahavastu – (This book is not in pure Sanskrit).  

b. In pure Sanskrit – “Lalitvistar” means For Buddha (Mahayana) and  Manjusri MulaKalpa.

Books of Asvaghosa on Buddha – 

“Buddha Charitra” and “Saundrananda – Kavya”

Avdan Sahitya – Avdan means – (Satkarma) Good work or work of Bravery (Virochit karma). Famous in this category is “Divyavadana”.  

                                                              The End.