The place of discourses of the buddha's disciples in the pāli canon
Loading...
Date
2017-03-31
Authors
Ven. Vijitha, M.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Peradeniya
Abstract
The differences between the Buddha and his disciples are quite clear. The Buddha is recognized as the founder of the Buddhist order whereas his disciples are those who tread the path under the guidance of the Buddha. In terms of personal qualities, the Buddha possesses a vast range of skills and modes of wisdom. However, the Buddha explained to the disciples in simple terms without hiding anything. In Buddhism, no closed-fist teaching is found. The teachings of the Buddha expounded during forty five years in the Pāli Canon or Tepiṭaka. The authenticity of the teachings depicted in the Suttapiṭaka is directly attributed to the Buddha by every Buddhist tradition. But a gradual systematization of the Pāli Canon could be seen after the demise of the Buddha. During the days of the Buddha's, there was no particular name for the teachings of the Buddha. What the Buddha taught during his forty five years was named as the word of the Buddha (Buddhavacana or Buddhadhamma). This collection consists of three compilations: the Suttapiṭaka, the Vinayapiṭaka and the Abhidhammapiṭaka. The Theravāda tradition believes that the whole, the Three Baskets were entirely delivered by the Buddha. Among these discourses of the Suttapiṭaka, some of them were preached by the distinguished disciples of the Buddha such as Ven. Ānanda, Sāriputa, Moggallāna, Mahākaccāna, bhikkhuni Dhammadinnā, etc. But we consider all these teachings were the word of the Buddha. For Ven. Buddhaghosa, all the teachings of the Canon are considered as the word of the Buddha (sabbaṃpi etaṃ buddhavacanaṃ), which means all in the Three Baskets were delivered by the Buddha himself. But when we closely examine this idea, it is obvious that there are teachings in the Pāli Canon not only preached by the Buddha but also by his celebrated disciples. Why has the Theravāda tradition included the discourses of the disciples as preached by the Buddha? Should we include them in that category? This is a library-based research. Therefore, it is expected to use primary and secondary sources relating to the subject area. The findings point out the nature of the discourses preached by the Buddha and the disciples. Finally, the prime concern of the paper is to find the place of the discourses of the disciples of the Buddha in the Pāli Canon.
Description
Keywords
Pāli canon , the Buddha , Disciples , Discourses
Citation
Proceedings of the Annual Research Congress of the PGIHS, 2017, University of Peradeniya, p.50