Pali literature

Oldest Buddhist texts in Middle Indo-Aryan language native to the Indian subcontinent

Pre-modern copies of the Tipiṭaka were preserved in Palm-leaf manuscripts, most of which have not survived the humid climate of South Asia and Southeast Asia. Part of a series on

Theravāda Buddhism
Buddhism

History

* Pre-sectarian Buddhism
* Early schools
* Nikaya Buddhism
* Buddhist councils
* Sthaviras
* Dharmaguptaka
* Vibhajjavāda
* Mahāvihāra
* Tambapaṇṇiya
* Abhayagiri Vihāra

Key figures

Early Figures & Classical Commentators

* Moggaliputta-Tissa
* Mahinda
* Sanghamitta
* Tissa
* Buddhaghosa
* Buddhadatta
* Sāriputta Thera
* Dhammapāla
* Aggavamsa

Medieval & Monastic Reformers

* Mahākassapa (12th century)
* Sāriputta (12th century)
* Shin Arahan
* Ledi Sayadaw
* U Nārada
* Bhaddanta Āciṇṇa
* Mahasi Sayadaw
* U Ba Khin

Modern Buddhist Scholars & Reformers

* Walpola Rahula
* Jayatilleke
* Kalupahana
* Sumangala Thera
* Anagarika Dharmapala
* K. Sri Dhammananda
* Narada Mahathera
* Asoka Weeraratna

Rulers

* Parakramabahu I
* Anawrahta
* Ram Khamhaeng
* Indravarman III
* Trasak Paem
* Mongkut

Western & International Theravāda Figures

* S. N. Goenka
* Maha Ghosananda
* Kripasaran
* Mahapragya
* Pragyananda
* U Dhammaloka
* Nyanatiloka
* Nanamoli
* Nyanaponika
* Bhikkhu Bodhi
* Ajahn Sumedho
* Analayo
* Dipa Ma
* Vajirananavarorasa
* Mun Bhuridatta
* Ajahn Chah
* Kee Nanayon

Literature

Canonical Texts

* Pāli Tipiṭaka
* Paracanonical texts

Commentarial Tradition

* Commentaries
* Sub-commentaries

Abhidhamma & Meditation Manuals

* Visuddhimagga
* Abhidhammattha-saṅgaha
* Abhidhammāvatāra
* Dhammānudhammapaṭipatti
* Vimuttimagga
* Śāriputrābhidharma

Esoteric & Protective Texts

* Paritta
* Paṭṭhāna
* Jinapañjara
* Uṇhissa Vijaya Sutta
* Yogāvacara's manual

Historical Literature

* Mahavamsa
* Dipavamsa
* Culavamsa
* Rajavaliya
* Dāṭhavaṃsa
* Bodhivaṃsa
* Thūpavaṃsa
* Jinacarita
* Saddharmarathnakaraya
* Gandhavaṃsa
* Sasanavamsa
* Jinakalamali

Orders (Nikāya or Gaing)

|  Thailand, Cambodia

* Mahā
* Dhammayuttika

Myanmar

* Thudhamma
* Shwegyin
* Mahādvāra
* Mūladvāra
* Veḷuvana
* Anaukchaung-dvāra
* Hngettwin
* Gaṇavimutti
* Dhammayuttika

Sri Lanka

* Amarapura–Rāmañña
* Siam

Bangladesh

* Saṅgharāja
* Mahāsthabir

Practices

Oral and Scriptural Traditions

* Śrāvakayāna
* Upasampadā
* Oral Reciters
* Pariyatti, paṭipatti, paṭivedha
* Okāsa
* Sādhu Recitation
* Evaṃ me sutaṃ Phrase
* Buddha Consecration
* Abhidhamma method
* Buddhist personality types
* Wai khru
* Smot (chanting)
* Dhutanga

Monastic and Meditative Practices

* Kammaṭṭhāna
* Vassa
* Pavāraṇā
* Dhammakaya meditation

Monastic Examinations

* Monastic examinations
* Tipiṭakadhara Tipiṭakakovida
* Dhammabhaṇḍāgārika title

Meditation and Forest Traditions

* Vipassana movement
* Thai Forest Tradition
* Ajahn Chah Forest
* Pa-Auk Forest
* Sri Lankan Forest

Esoteric and Modern Movements

* Esoteric Theravāda

Festivals

* Major Buddhist Holy Days
* Vesākha Pūjā
* Māgha Pūjā
* Āsāḷha Pūjā
* Observance & Monastic Days
* Uposatha
* Kaṭhina
* Abhidhamma Day
* Cultural/Folk Festivals with Buddhist Significance
* Vessantara Festival
* Songkran
* Loy Krathong

Higher education

* MBU
* MCRU
* IBC
* ITBMU
* SPSU
* BPU
* Sihanouk
* Sihamoni
* CSC
* Sangha College
* Kertarajasa
* Syailendra
* DDIBU

Organizations

* Pali Text Society
* Buddhist Publication Society
* Pariyatti Bookstore
* Path Press
* Access to Insight
* The Buddhist (TV channel)
* Shraddha TV
* Young Men's Buddhist Association

Roles

* Sangharaja
* Bhikkhu
* Bhikkhuni
* Maechee
* Thilashin

* v
* t
* e

Burmese-Pali manuscript copy of the Buddhist text Mahaniddesa, showing three different types of Burmese script, (top) medium square, (centre) round and (bottom) outline round in red lacquer from the inside of one of the gilded covers

Pali literature is concerned mainly with Theravada Buddhism, of which Pali (IAST: pāl̤i) is the traditional language. The earliest and most important Pali literature constitutes the Pāli Canon, the authoritative scriptures of Theravada school.

Pali literature includes numerous genres, including Suttas (Buddhist discourses), Vinaya (monastic discipline), Abhidhamma (philosophy), poetry, history, philology, hagiography, scriptural exegesis, and meditation manuals.

## History

[edit]

The Pali language is a composite language which draws on various Middle Indo-Aryan languages.[1]

Much of the extant Pali literature is from Sri Lanka, which became the headquarters of Theravada for centuries. Most extant Pali literature was written and composed there, though some was also produced in outposts in South India.[2] Most of the oldest collection of Pali Literature, the Pali Canon, was committed to writing in Sri Lanka at about the first century BCE (though it contains material that is much older, possibly dating to the period of pre-sectarian Buddhism).[3][4][5]

At around the start of the common era, some of the earliest Pali commentaries and exegetical manuals (which are now sometimes included within the Pali Canon itself) were written, mainly the Suttavibhanga, Niddesa, Nettipakarana and Petakopadesa.[6] Other works like the Cariyapitaka, the Buddhavamsa and the Apadana may also belong to this post-Asokan period.[7]

During the first millennium, Pali literature consisted of two major genres: histories (vamsa) and commentaries (atthakatha). The histories include the Dipavamsa and the Mahavamsa, which are verse chronicles of Buddhism in India and Sri Lanka.[7]

The commentarial works include the writings of Buddhaghosa (4th or 5th century CE), who wrote the influential Visuddhimagga along with various commentaries on the Pali Canon. Several other commentators worked after Buddhaghosa, such as Buddhadatta (c. fifth century), Ananda (sixth century), Dhammapala (at some point before the 12th century) and other anonymous commentators which we do not know by name.[7]

The reform period between the 10th to 13th centuries saw an explosion of new Pali literature.[2] Part of the impulse behind these literary efforts was the fear that warfare on the island could lead to the decline of Buddhism.[8] This literature includes the work of prominent scholars such as Anuruddha, Sumangala, Siddhattha, Sāriputta Thera, Mahākassapa of Dimbulagala and Moggallana Thera.[9][10]

They worked on compiling subcommentaries to the Tipitaka, grammars, summaries and textbooks on Abhidhamma and Vinaya such as the influential Abhidhammattha-sangaha of Anuruddha. They also wrote kavya style Pali poetry and philological works. Their work owed much to the influence of Sanskrit grammar and poetics, particularly as interpreted by the Sri Lankan scholar Ratnamati. During this period, these new Pali doctrinal works also show an increasing awareness of topics found in Sanskrit Buddhist Mahayana literature.[11]

From the 15th century onwards, Pali literature has been dominated by Burma, though some has also been written in Thailand, Laos and Cambodia, as well as Ceylon. [citation needed] This Burmese literature has in turn been dominated by writings directly or indirectly concerned with the Abhidhamma Pitaka,[citation needed] the part of the Canon variously described as philosophy, psychology, metaphysics etc.

## Canonical and Post-canonical Pali Literature

[edit]

A Palm-leaf style manuscript from a Thai Tipitaka

### Pali Tipitaka

[edit]

Main article: Pali Canon

Pāli Canon

Theravāda Buddhism

1\. Vinaya Piṭaka

* 1\. Suttavibhaṅga
* 2\. Khandhaka
* 3\. Parivāra

2\. Sutta Piṭaka

* 1\. Dīgha Nikāya
* 2\. Majjhima Nikāya
* 3\. Saṃyutta Nikāya
* 4\. Aṅguttara Nikāya

5\. Khuddaka Nikāya

* Khuddakapāṭha
* Dhammapada
* Udāna
* Itivuttaka
* Suttanipāta
* Vimānavatthu
* Petavatthu
* Theragāthā
* Therīgāthā
* Apadāna
* Buddhavaṃsa
* Cariyāpiṭaka
* Jātaka
* Niddesa
* Paṭisambhidāmagga
* Nettipakaraṇa
* Peṭakopadesa
* Milindapañha

3\. Abhidhamma Piṭaka

* 1\. Dhammasaṅgaṇī
* 2\. Vibhaṅga
* 3\. Dhātukathā
* 4\. Puggalapaññatti
* 5\. Kathāvatthu
* 6\. Yamaka
* 7\. Paṭṭhāna

* Aṭṭhakathā
* Ṭīkā
* Pāli literature
* Paritta

* v
* t
* e

The earliest and most important Pali literature constitutes the Pali Tipitaka, the main scripture collection of the Theravada school. These are of Indian origin, and were written down during the reign of Vattagamani Abhaya (29—17 B.C.) in Sri Lanka.[12]

The Tipitaka ("Triple Basket"), also known as Pali Canon, is divided into three "baskets" (Pali: piṭaka):[13]

1. Vinaya Piṭaka (Basket of the Monastic Discipline)
1. Suttavibhaṅga: Pāṭimokkha (a list of rules for monastics) and commentary
2. Khandhaka: 22 chapters on various topics
3. Parivāra: analyses of rules from various points of view
2. Sutta Piṭaka (Basket of Sayings/Discourses), mostly ascribed to the Buddha, but some to his disciples.
1. Digha Nikāya, the "long" discourses.
2. Majjhima Nikāya, the "middle-length" discourses.
3. Saṁyutta Nikāya, the "connected" discourses.
4. Anguttara Nikāya, the "numerical" discourses.
5. Khuddaka Nikāya, the "minor collection".
3. Abhidhamma Piṭaka (Basket of Abhidhamma, i.e. Philosophical Psychology). According to K.R. Norman, "It is clear that the Abhidhamma is later than the rest of the canon."[14]
1. Dhammasaṅganī
2. Vibhaṅga
3. Dhātukathā
4. Puggalapaññatti
5. Kathāvatthu
6. Yamaka
7. Paṭṭhāna

### Paracanonical and Apocryphal texts

[edit]

Main article: Paracanonical texts (Theravāda)

These are early works written after the closure of the canon. The first two of these texts are present in the Khuddaka Nikaya of the Burmese and Sri Lankan Tipitaka but not in the Thai edition. The third text is included only in the Burmese edition. The fourth text is included only in the Sinhalese edition. They are also not mentioned by Buddhaghosa as being part of the canon.[15]

1. Nettipakarana \- "The Book of Guidance", a work on exegesis and hermeneutics
2. Petakopadesa \- "Instruction on the Pitaka", another text on exegesis and hermeneutics
3. Milindapañha \- The Questions of King Milinda. A dialogue between a monk and an Indo-Greek king.
4. Suttasaṃgaha - A collection of important suttas from the Tipitaka

In the common editions known to the modern Buddhist world, the Nettipakaraṇa, Peṭakopadesa, and Milindapañha are generally considered to be part of the Khuddaka Nikāya of the Sutta Piṭaka.

There are also apocryphal suttas like

1. Mahādibbamanta
2. Unhisavijayasutta
3. Ākāravattārasutta
4. Mahameghasutta

## Commentaries

[edit]

Main article: Atthakatha

A collection of Pali Commentaries (Atthakatha) were written in Sri Lanka by various (some anonymous) authors, such as Buddhagosa, Dhammapala, Mahanama, Upasena, and Buddhadatta. Buddhagosa writes that he based his commentaries on older works which were brought to Sri Lanka when Buddhism first arrived there, and were translated into Sinhalese. K.R. Norman has written that there is evidence that some parts of the commentaries are very old.[16]

## Sub-commentaries

[edit]

Main article: Sub-commentaries (Theravāda)

Sub-commentarial works called Tikas are secondary commentaries, that is to say, commentaries on the Atthakathas. Dhammapala is one early author of tikas. He is particularly known for his Paramatthamañjusa, a sub-commentary on the Visuddhimagga.[17]

## Classical Commentarial and Doctrinal Works (5th century)

[edit]

### Buddhaghosa

[edit]

* Visuddhimagga – A comprehensive and influential manual of Theravāda doctrine and meditation practice. Considered Buddhaghosa’s magnum opus.

### Buddhadatta

[edit]

* Vinayavinicchaya – A verse summary of the first four books of the Vinaya.
* Uttaravinicchaya – A verse summary of the Parivāra, the final book of the Vinaya.
* Abhidhammavatara – An early effort at summarizing the doctrines in the Abhidhamma.
* Ruparupa-vibhaga – A short manual on Abhidhamma.

### Summaries and Manuals on Monastic Discipline

[edit]

* Khuddasikkha and Mulasikkha – Brief verse summaries on monastic discipline, used for basic training.
* Simalankara – A treatise dealing with monastic boundaries (sima).

### Abhidhamma Manuals and Commentaries

[edit]

### Acariya Anuruddha

[edit]

* Abhidhammattha-sangaha – A concise and popular summary of the Abhidhamma, widely used as an introductory text (11th–12th century).
* Namarupa-pariccheda – A verse introduction to the Abhidhamma.
* Paramattha-vinicchaya – Attributed to Acariya Anuruddha; K.R. Norman suggests it may be the work of a different Anuruddha.[18]

### Other Authors

[edit]

* Saccasankhepa – By Culla-Dhammapala, a short treatise on Abhidhamma ("Elements of Truth") (7th century).
* Khemappakarana – By the nun Khema, a brief manual on the Abhidhamma.
* Mohavicchedani – By Mahakassapa of the Chola dynasty, a guide to the matikas (topics) of the seven books of the Abhidhamma (12th century).
* Nāmacāradīpikā – By Chappata (15th century).

### Lay Instruction and Applied Teachings

[edit]

* Upasaka-janalankara – By Sihala Acariya Ananda Mahathera, a manual on the Buddha's teachings for lay disciples (Upāsakas) (13th century).
* Bhesajjamanjusa – A medical treatise from Sri Lanka integrating Buddhist knowledge (13th century).

### Esoteric and Meditation Manuals

[edit]

* Yogāvacara's manual – A Sri Lankan meditation manual (c. 16th–17th century) associated with Esoteric Theravāda (Borān-kammaṭṭhāna).
* Amatākaravaṇṇanā – An extensive esoteric meditation manual compiled by Kandyan Sinhalese students of Thai esoteric masters (c. 18th century).[19]

## Historical Chronicles

[edit]

Main article: Vamsa

The following include various Buddhist historical chronicles (vamsa), organized by theme and time period:[20]

### Classical Sri Lankan Chronicles

[edit]

* Dipavamsa – "The Island Chronicle", the earliest extant Sri Lankan chronicle (4th century).
* Mahavamsa – "The Great Chronicle", composed by the monk Mahanama (6th century).
* Culavamsa – "The Lesser Chronicle", a continuation of the Mahavamsa.
* Vamsatthappakasini – A 6th-century commentary on the Mahavamsa.

### Regional Variants

[edit]

* Cambodian Mahavamsa – A local expansion of the Mahavamsa, nearly double in length and including additional narratives.[21]

### Monument and Relic Chronicles

[edit]

* Thupavamsa – By Vacissara (12th century), a chronicle of the Great Stupa in Anuradhapura.
* Dathavamsa – By Dhammakitti, focuses on relics such as the tooth relic.
* Chakesadhatuvamsa – A 14th-century history of the six stupas enshrining the Buddha’s hair relics.
* Hatthavanagallavihāravaṃsa \- Chronicle text dealing with the history of the temple at Attanagalla, Sri Lanka. (13th century C.E.)

### Biographical and Poetic Chronicles

[edit]

* Samantakutavannana – By Vedehathera, a poem in 796 stanzas on the Buddha’s life and visits to Sri Lanka.
* Hatthavanagalla-viharavamsa – A 13th-century biography of King Sirisanghabodhi (r. 247–249 CE).
* Braḥ Māleyyadevattheravatthuṃ \- A narrative of the travels of the monk Māleyyadeva
* Buddhaghosuppatti \- Mahāmaṅgala, Story of Buddhagosa (Burma, 15th century)

### Cosmological Texts

[edit]

* Candasuriyagati-dīpani – A Buddhist cosmological treatise.
* Loka-dīpanī – Another text on Buddhist cosmology.
* Lokapaññatti – A work on Theravāda cosmology, largely derived from the Sanskrit Lokaprajñapti.[22]

### Literary and Ecclesiastical Histories

[edit]

* Saddhamma-sangaha – By Dhammakitti Mahasami (14th century), a literary and ecclesiastical history of Buddhism.
* Saddhammasangaha – A separate work providing historical and bibliographical information on Buddhist texts and authors.[23]

### Later Period Texts

[edit]

* Sandesakatha \- Late historical text dealing in part with the relationship between Sri Lanka and Burma in medieval times. (19th century C.E.)

## Poetry (mostly hagiographical)

[edit]

Most Sinhalese Pali poetry is in kavya style, heavily influenced by Sanskrit literary conventions.[24]

### Early and Classical Poetry

[edit]

* Mahabodhivamsa – By Upatissa (10th century), a historical poem focused on the Bodhi Tree and its veneration.

* Telakaṭāhagāthā – "The Oil-Cauldron Verses", a collection of Sri Lankan poems centered on a monk thrown into boiling oil for his convictions.

* Jinalankara – By Buddharakkhita (12th century), a 278-verse poem on the life of the Buddha.

* Anagata-vamsa – By Mahākassapa of the Cola region (12th century), a narrative on the coming Buddha, Maitreya.[25]

* Dasabodhisattuppattikatha – "Birth Stories of the Ten Bodhisattas".

* Dasabodhisattuddesa – Another collection of verses detailing the births of the Ten Bodhisattas.

### Medieval to Early Modern Period

[edit]

* Jinacarita – By Medhankara (13th century), a 472-verse poetic biography of the Buddha.

* Pajjamadhu – By Buddhapiya Dipankara (13th century), a poem on the beauty and virtues of the Buddha.

* Samantakutavannana – By Vedeha (13th century), a poetic life story of the Bodhisatta Siddhattha and his visits to Sri Lanka.

* Pañcagatidīpanī – A didactic poem describing the five types of rebirth in Buddhist cosmology.

* Saddhammopāyana – A devotional work comprising 629 verses in praise of the Dhamma.

### Modern Period

[edit]

* Jinavamsadipani – By Moratuve Medhananda Thera (1917), an epic 2000-verse poem narrating the Buddha’s life and teachings.

* Mahākassapacarita – By Widurapola Piyatissa (1934), a 1500-verse poem on the life of Mahākāśyapa, one of the Buddha’s chief disciples.

## Edifying tales

[edit]

A genre which consists of stories in mixed prose and verse, often focusing on the advantages of giving (dana).[26]

* Dasavatthuppakarana
* Sihalavatthuppakarana
* Sahassavatthuppakarana
* Rasavahini

## Linguistic works

[edit]

Works on Pali language, mostly grammar.[27]

* Kaccāyana-vyākarana, Date is unknown but after Buddhaghosa. It's the earliest and most influential grammar of Pali.
* Nyasa, or Mukhamattadipani by Vimalabuddhi (11th century), a commentary on Kaccayana's Grammar.
* Suttaniddesa or Nyasapradipa by Chapata or Saddhammajoti-pala
* Kaccayana-sara, ab abridgement of Kaccayana's Grammar written by Dhammananda
* Rupasiddhi, a re-arrangement of Kaccāyana-vyākarana
* Balavatara, a re-arrangement of Kaccāyana-vyākarana
* Moggallayana-vyakarana a.k.a. Saddalakkhana, and the auto-commentary Moggallayanapañcika is a new Pali grammar by Moggallana who created a new school of grammar c. 12th century.
* Abhidhanappadipika, a Pali dictionary
* Saddanīti, by Aggavaṃsa of Arimaddana, an influential Pali grammar; Burma (c. 1154 CE). K.R. Norman calls it "the greatest of extant Pali grammars." It draws on Kaccayana and Panini.[28]

## Poetics and Prosody

[edit]

Works on poetics and prosody.[29]

* Subodhalankara of Sangharakkhita (12th century), a work on poetics
* Vuttodaya, a work on Pali meter by Sangharakkhita
* Sambandhacinta by Sangharakkhita, a work on verbs and syntax

### Non-canonical Jataka collections

[edit]

These are jataka collections that are outside of the Pali Canon:[30]

* Paññāsa Jātaka
* Sudhanukumara jataka
* Kosala-bimba-vannana, a story told in Jataka style about Buddha statues

## Gāthās and Devotional material

[edit]

* Jinapanjara Gatha
* Narasīha Gāthā
* Dhammakāyānussati Gāthā
* Sabbapattidāna Gāthā
* Devatādipattidāna Gāthā
* Uddissanādhiṭṭhāna Gāthā
* Dhammagārav’ādi Gāthā
* Jalanandana Paritta
* Anavum Paritta
* Aṭṭhavīsati Paritta

## Anthologies

[edit]

Anthologies of various texts on different topics:[31][32]

* Mahaparitta \- A small collection of texts taken from the Suttapitaka
* Suttasamgaha \- A selection of texts from the Tripitaka
* Sarasangaha[32] \- Siddhattha, A "manual of Dhamma" in prose and verse (13th century)
* Upasakajanalankara[32]

## Burmese Pali literature

[edit]

* Dhammasattha \- A Southeast Asian genre of Buddhist law
* Dhammaniti, Lokaniti, Maharahaniti, and Rajaniti, collections of aphorisms of worldly wisdom (niti).[33]
* Gandhavamsa \- Catalog of ancient Buddhist commentators (19th century).[34]
* Sāsanavaṃsa, written in 1861 by Paññasami, a history of Buddhism, including Burmese Buddhism.[35]
* Sima-vivada-vinichaya-katha (19th century)
* Visuddhiñana-katha (The Progress of Insight) by Mahasi Sayadaw, originally in Burmese, translated to Pali (1950).

## Thai Pali literature

[edit]

Illustrated Pali manuscript of the Abhidhamma chet kamphi (chanting prompts for text chanted at funerals) Illustrated Pali manuscript of the Abhidhamma chet kamphi (chanting prompts for text chanted at funerals)

* Cāmadevivaṃsa
* Cakkavaladipani, a work on cosmology, c. 1520.[33]
* Jinakalamali - A Thai Buddhist Chronicle, by a Thai elder named Ratapañña (16th century)
* Sangitivamsa - A Thai Chronicle, focusing on the various Buddhist councils (sangiti) from the 18th century
* Dhammavibhāga, by Vajirañāṇavarorasa (19th century)

## See also

[edit]

* Early Buddhist Texts
* Pāli Canon
* Sutta Piṭaka
* Vinaya Piṭaka
* Abhidhamma Piṭaka
* Anupitaka
* Pali Text Society
* Palm-leaf manuscript
* List of Pali Canon anthologies
* List of suttas

## External links

[edit]

* Bhikkhu Nyanatusita Comprehensive Reference Table of Pali Literature
* Large collection of Pali literature in the original
* huge collection of canonical and post-canonical pali literature, some of the texts absent at tipitaka.org
* John Bullitt (2002)"Beyond the Tipitaka: A Field Guide to Post-canonical Pali Literature," Archived 2009-05-09 at the Wayback Machine
* List of texts in Pāli Archived 2015-02-27 at the Wayback Machine by the Pali Text Society.

## Further reading

[edit]

* Bode, Mabel Haynes The Pali Literature of Burma, Royal Asiatic Society, London, 1909.
* Collins, Steven Nirvana and other Buddhist Felicities: Utopias of the Pali imaginaire, Cambridge University Press, 1998 (paperback edition 2006).
* Norman, K.R. Pali Literature, Otto Harrassowitz, Wiesbaden, 1983
* Hinüber, Oscar v. Handbook of Pali Literature, Walter de Gruyter, Berlin, 1996
* Warren (ed & tr), Buddhism in Translations, Harvard University Press, 1896
* Malalasekera, G.P. The Pali Literature of Ceylon, Colombo 1928; Buddhist Publication Society, Kandy, 1994 (see http://www.bps.lk)
* Webb, Russell. An Analysis of the Pali Canon. Kandy, Sri Lanka: Buddhist Publication Society. ISBN 9552400481. Archived from the original on 2015-02-12. Retrieved 2015-02-11.
* Wallis, Glenn, Buddhavacana: A Pali Reader(Onalaska, Wash: Pariyatti Press, 2011)
* Hammalawa Saddhatissa, Pali literature of South-East Asia, Colombo, Buddhist Cultural Centre, Dehiwala, 2004(see https://www.buddhistcc.com/)

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Norman, Kenneth Roy (1983). Pali Literature. Wiesbaden: Otto Harrassowitz. pp. 2–3. ISBN 3-447-02285-X.
2. ^ a b Gornall, Alastair (2020). Rewriting Buddhism: Pali Literature and Monastic Reform in Sri Lanka, 1157–1270, pp. 3-4. UCL Press.
3. ^ Harvey, Introduction to Buddhism, Cambridge University Press, 1990, p. 3.
4. ^ Tse-Fu Kuan. Mindfulness in similes in Early Buddhist literature in Edo Shonin, William Van Gordon, Nirbhay N. Singh. Buddhist Foundations of Mindfulness, page 267.
5. ^ Gornall, Alastair (2020). Rewriting Buddhism: Pali Literature and Monastic Reform in Sri Lanka, 1157–1270, p. 38. UCL Press.
6. ^ Gornall, Alastair (2020). Rewriting Buddhism: Pali Literature and Monastic Reform in Sri Lanka, 1157–1270, pp. 38-39. UCL Press.
7. ^ a b c Gornall, Alastair (2020). Rewriting Buddhism: Pali Literature and Monastic Reform in Sri Lanka, 1157–1270, pp. 39-41. UCL Press.
8. ^ Gornall, Alastair (2020). Rewriting Buddhism: Pali Literature and Monastic Reform in Sri Lanka, 1157–1270, pp. 5-6. UCL Press.
9. ^ Perera, HR; Buddhism in Sri Lanka A Short History, Buddhist Publication Society, Kandy, Sri Lanka, page
10. ^ Gornall, Alastair (2020). Rewriting Buddhism: Pali Literature and Monastic Reform in Sri Lanka, 1157–1270, pp. 14-16. UCL Press.
11. ^ Gornall, Alastair (2020). Rewriting Buddhism: Pali Literature and Monastic Reform in Sri Lanka, 1157–1270, pp. 29-30, 37. UCL Press.
12. ^ Norman (1983), p. 10.
13. ^ Norman (1983), pp. 18, 30, 96.
14. ^ Norman (1983), p. 96.
15. ^ Norman (1983), pp. 31, 108-113.
16. ^ Norman (1983), p. 119.
17. ^ Norman (1983), p. 148.
18. ^ Norman (1983), p. 152
19. ^ Crosby, Kate (2020). Esoteric Theravada: The Story of the Forgotten Meditation Tradition of Southeast Asia, Chapter 2. Shambhala Publications.
20. ^ Norman (1983), pp. 137–145
21. ^ Norman (1983), p. 140.
22. ^ Norman (1983), p. 174.
23. ^ Norman (1983), p. 179.
24. ^ Norman (1983), pp. 156–
25. ^ Law, Bimala Churn (1935). The Anāgatavaṃsa. Calcutta: The Maha Bodhi Book Agency. OCLC 499383581.
26. ^ Norman (1983), pp. 153-156
27. ^ Norman (1983), pp. 163 -167.
28. ^ Norman (1983), p. 164
29. ^ Norman (1983), pp. 167-168.
30. ^ Norman (1983), pp. 177-180
31. ^ Norman (1983), pp. 172-174
32. ^ a b c Young, Jonathan (August 2020). Copp, Paul; Wedemeyer, Christian K. (eds.). "Practical Canons from Buddhist Pasts: What Pāli Anthologies Can Tell Us about Buddhist History". History of Religions. 60 (1). University of Chicago Press for the University of Chicago Divinity School: 37–64\. doi:10.1086/709167. ISSN 0018-2710. JSTOR 00182710. LCCN 64001081. OCLC 299661763. S2CID 224808404.
33. ^ a b Norman (1983), p. 175
34. ^ Norman (1983), p. 180
35. ^ Norman (1983), pp. 181-182.

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Topics in Buddhism

* Outline
* Glossary
* Index

Foundations|

* Four Noble Truths
* Three Jewels
* Buddha
* Dharma
* Sangha
* Noble Eightfold Path
* Nirvana
* Middle Way

The Buddha|

* Tathāgata
* Birthday
* Four sights
* Eight Great Events
* Great Renunciation
* Physical characteristics
* Life of Buddha in art
* Footprint
* Relics
* Iconography in Laos and Thailand
* Films
* Miracles
* Family
* Suddhodāna (father)
* Māyā (mother)
* Mahapajapati Gotamī (aunt, adoptive mother)
* Yaśodharā (wife)
* Rāhula (son)
* Ānanda (cousin)
* Devadatta (cousin)
* Bodhi tree
* Places where the Buddha stayed
* Buddha in world religions

Bodhisattvas|

* Avalokiteśvara
* Guanyin
* Mañjuśrī
* Mahāsthāmaprāpta
* Ākāśagarbha
* Kṣitigarbha
* Samantabhadra
* Vajrapāṇi
* Skanda
* Tārā
* Metteyya/Maitreya

Disciples|

* Kaundinya
* Assaji
* Sāriputta
* Mahamoggallāna
* Ānanda
* Mahākassapa
* Aṅgulimāla
* Anuruddha
* Mahākaccana
* Nanda
* Subhūti
* Puṇṇa Mantānīputta
* Upāli
* Mahapajapati Gotamī
* Khema
* Uppalavanna
* Asita
* Channa
* Yasa

Key concepts|

* Avidyā (Ignorance)
* Bardo
* Bodhicitta
* Buddha-nature
* Dhamma theory
* Dharma
* Enlightenment
* Five hindrances
* Indriya
* Karma
* Kleshas
* Mental factors
* Mindstream
* Parinirvana
* Pratītyasamutpāda
* Rebirth
* Saṃsāra
* Saṅkhāra
* Skandha
* Śūnyatā
* Taṇhā (Craving)
* Tathātā
* Ten Fetters
* Three marks of existence
* Anicca
* Dukkha
* Anattā
* Two truths doctrine

Cosmology|

* Ten spiritual realms
* Six Paths
* Deva realm
* Human realm
* Asura realm
* Hungry Ghost realm
* Animal realm
* Naraka
* Three planes of existence

Branches|

* Mahayana
* Zen
* Chinese Chan
* Japanese Zen
* Korean Seon
* Vietnamese Thiền
* Pure Land
* Tiantai
* Huayan
* Risshū
* Nichiren
* Madhyamaka
* Yogachara
* Vajrayana
* Tibetan Buddhism
* Chinese Esoteric Buddhism
* Shingon
* Dzogchen
* Theravada
* Southern Esoteric Buddhism
* Navayana
* Early Buddhist schools
* Pre-sectarian Buddhism
* Basic points unifying Theravāda and Mahāyāna
* Southern, Eastern and Northern Buddhism

Practices|

* Bhavana
* Bodhipakkhiyādhammā
* Brahmavihara
* Mettā
* Karuṇā
* Mudita
* Upekkha
* Buddhābhiṣeka
* Dāna
* Devotion
* Deity yoga
* Dhyāna
* Faith
* Five Strengths
* Iddhipada
* Meditation
* Mantras
* Kammaṭṭhāna
* Recollection
* Smarana
* Anapanasati
* Samatha-vipassanā (Vipassana movement)
* Shikantaza
* Zazen
* Tukdam
* Koan
* Ganana
* Mandala
* Tonglen
* Tantra
* Tertön
* Terma
* Merit
* Mindfulness
* Mindful Yoga
* Satipatthana
* Nekkhamma
* Nianfo
* Pāramitā
* Paritta
* Puja
* Offerings
* Prostration
* Music
* Refuge
* Sādhu
* Satya
* Sacca
* Seven Factors of Enlightenment
* Sati
* Dhamma vicaya
* Pīti
* Passaddhi
* Śīla
* Five precepts
* Eight precepts
* Bodhisattva vow
* Pratimokṣa
* Threefold Training
* Śīla
* Samadhi
* Prajñā
* Vīrya
* Four Right Exertions
* Twenty-two vows of Ambedkar
* Yujia Yankou
* Shuilu Fahui

Nirvana|

* Bodhi
* Bodhisattva
* Buddhahood
* Pratyekabuddhayāna
* Four stages of awakening
* Sotāpanna
* Sakadagami
* Anāgāmi
* Arhat

Monasticism|

* Bhikkhu
* Bhikkhunī
* Śrāmaṇera
* Śrāmaṇerī
* Anagārika
* Ajahn
* Sayadaw
* Zen master
* Rōshi
* Lama
* Rinpoche
* Geshe
* Tulku
* Western tulku
* Kappiya
* Donchee
* Householder
* Upāsaka and Upāsikā
* Achar
* Śrāvaka
* Ten principal disciples
* Shaolin Monastery

Major figures|

* The Buddha
* Nagasena
* Aśvaghoṣa
* Nagarjuna
* Asanga
* Vasubandhu
* Kumārajīva
* Buddhaghosa
* Buddhapālita
* Dignāga
* Bodhidharma
* Zhiyi
* Emperor Wen of Sui
* Songtsen Gampo
* Xuanzang
* Shandao
* Padmasambhava
* Saraha
* Atiśa
* Naropa
* Karmapa
* Hōnen
* Shinran
* Dōgen
* Nichiren
* Shamarpa
* Dalai Lama
* Panchen Lama
* Ajahn Mun
* B. R. Ambedkar
* Ajahn Chah
* Thích Nhất Hạnh

Texts|

* Early Buddhist texts
* Tripiṭaka
* Mahayana sutras
* Pali Canon
* Chinese Buddhist canon
* Tibetan Buddhist canon
* Dhammapada
* Sutra
* Vinaya
* Madhyamakālaṃkāra
* Abhidharmadīpa

Countries|

* Afghanistan
* Bangladesh
* Bhutan
* Cambodia
* China
* India
* Indonesia
* Japan
* Korea
* Laos
* Malaysia
* Maldives
* Mongolia
* Myanmar
* Nepal
* Pakistan
* Philippines
* Russia
* Buryatia
* Kalmykia
* Tuva (ru)
* Singapore
* Sri Lanka
* Taiwan
* Thailand
* Tibet
* Vietnam
* Africa
* Senegal
* South Africa
* Central Asia
* Uzbekistan
* Middle East
* Iran
* Saudi Arabia
* Western countries
* Argentina
* Australia
* Brazil
* Canada
* Costa Rica
* Czech Republic
* France
* Germany
* Italy
* Mexico
* New Zealand
* Norway
* Poland
* Sweden
* Switzerland
* Ukraine
* United Kingdom
* United States
* Uruguay
* Venezuela

History|

* Timeline
* Ashoka
* Kanishka
* Buddhist councils
* History of Buddhism in India
* Decline of Buddhism in India
* Huichang persecution of Buddhism
* Greco-Buddhism
* Gandharan Buddhism
* Texts
* Menander I
* Buddhism and the Roman world
* Buddhism in the West
* Silk Road transmission of Buddhism
* Persecution of Buddhists
* In Afghanistan
* In Vietnam
* Rimé movement
* Banishment of Buddhist monks from Nepal
* Dalit Buddhist movement
* Chinese invasion of Tibet
* 1959 Tibetan uprising
* Sinhalese Buddhist nationalism
* Buddhist modernism
* Vipassana movement
* 969 Movement
* Engaged Buddhism
* Women in Buddhism

Philosophy|

* Abhidharma
* Atomism
* Buddhology
* Creator
* Buddhism and democracy
* Economics
* Eight Consciousnesses
* Engaged Buddhism
* Eschatology
* Ethics
* Evolution
* Humanism
* Logic
* Reality
* Secular Buddhism
* Socialism
* The unanswerable questions

Culture|

* Architecture
* Temple
* Vihāra
* Kyaung
* Wat
* Ordination hall
* Stupa
* Pagoda
* Burmese pagoda
* Candi
* Dzong architecture
* List of Buddhist architecture in China
* Japanese Buddhist architecture
* Buddhist temples in Korea
* Thai temple art and architecture
* Tibetan Buddhist architecture
* Art
* Greco-Buddhist
* Budai
* Buddha in art
* Calendar
* Cuisine
* Funeral
* Holidays
* Vesak
* Uposatha
* Māgha Pūjā
* Asalha Puja
* Vassa
* Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi
* Kasaya
* Mahabodhi Temple
* Mantra
* Om mani padme hum
* Mudra
* Music
* Pilgrimage
* Lumbini
* Maya Devi Temple
* Bodh Gaya
* Sarnath
* Kushinagar
* Poetry
* Prayer beads
* Hama yumi
* Prayer wheel
* Symbolism
* Dharmachakra
* Flag
* Bhavacakra
* Swastika
* Thangka
* Temple of the Tooth
* Vegetarianism

Miscellaneous|

* Abhijñā
* Amitābha
* Brahmā
* Dharma talk
* Hinayana
* Iddhi
* Kalpa
* Koliya
* Lineage
* Māra
* Siddhi
* Sacred languages
* Pāḷi
* Sanskrit

Comparison|

* Baháʼí Faith
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* Influences
* Comparison
* East Asian religions
* Gnosticism
* Hinduism
* Jainism
* Judaism
* Psychology
* Science
* Theosophy
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Lists|

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