Lec. 4 the classifying system of tipitaka in thailand

The classifying system of
Tipitaka in Thailand
Dr. Jutamas Vareesangthip

The classifying system of
Tipitaka in Thailand and its
brief contents, the
classification of
Vinayapitaka, Suttantapitaka,
Abhidhammapitakaits and
theirs contents

Tipitaka Texts
• "In the Tipitaka one finds milk for the babe and
meat for the strong," says Narada Thera. Here is
how these canonical text collections came
about: Buddha left no written records of His
Teachings; disciples preserved them by
committing to memory and transmitting them
orally from generation to generation. During the
reign of the Sinhala King Vattagamani
Abhaya, about 83 B.C., the Tipitaka was
committed to writing on palm leaves (ola) in
Ceylon.

Tipitaka Texts
• This voluminous Tipitaka, which
contains the essence of Buddha's
Teaching, is estimated to be about
eleven times the size of the Bible. The
Tipitaka consists of the Basket of
Discipline (Vinaya Pitaka), the Basket of
Discourses (Sutta Pitaka), and the
Basket of Ultimate Doctrine
(Abhidhamma Pitaka).

Tipitaka Texts
• The texts of the Pali canon of Theraveda Buddhism form
a vast body of literature that is called Tipitaka ("The
Three Baskets"; Sanskrit: Tripitaka). Tipitaka contains
what is considered the most authentic texts of what
Buddha stood for, despite many additions and
modifications.
– 1 Vinayapitaka deals with rules of conduct for the
congregations (sangha); some of which may help spiritual
communities of today also.
– 2 Suttapitaka brings Buddha's sermons and dialogues; they
are the dominant teachings of Theraveda Buddhism.
– 3 Abhidhammapitaka deals with expositions of theories.

Tipitaka Texts
• The texts of the three baskets (Tipitaka) are
distinguished from the commentaries on many of
them.
• 1. Regulations for monks and nuns, Vinayapitaka
• The Vinayapitaka, where large sections have fallen
into disuse, is divided into five major parts grouped
into three divisions. The five parts (books, Vibhanga)
are:
– 1 Parajika Pali - Major Offenses
– 2 Pacittiya Pali - Minor Offenses (Khandaka):
– 3 Mahavagga Pali - Greater Section
– 4 Cullavagga Pali - Shorter Section
– 5 Parivara Pali – Epitome(brief summary) of the Vinaya

A Brief Elucidation( explanation) of
the Constituents of Vinaya Pitaka:
• The Vinaya Pitaka contains the
monastic rules of the Order of
Buddhist monks. It consists of the
following parts:
1. Suttavibhanga
2. Khandhaka
3. Parivara

A Brief Elucidation of the Constituents
of Vinaya Pitaka:
• Suttavibhanga again has two sub-
divisions. They are:
– A. Bhikkhu Vibhanga
– B. Bhikkhuni Vibhanga
• Khandhaka has two sub-divisions. They
are:
– A. Mahavagga Pali
– B. Cullavagga Pali

1. Regulations for monks and nuns,
Vinayapitaka
• The three divisions are: Sutta-vibhanga ("Division of Rules");
Khandhakas ("Sections"); and Parivara ("Accessory"):
• 1.1 The Sutta-vibhanga is a commentary on the Patimokkha-sutta
("Obligatory Rules"), which forms the nucleus of the Vinayapitaka. It
is one of the oldest parts of the Pali canon and utilizes an archaic
language. It consists of two parts, (1.1.1) the Bhikkhu-patimokkha
("Rules for Monks") and the (1.1.2) Bhikkhuni-patimokkha ("Rules
for Nuns").
• The commentary(sub-divisions) on the Patimokkha is divided into the
Maha-vibhanga(Bhikkhu Vibhanga ) of 227 rules for monks and the
Bhikkhuni-vibhanga of additional rules and regulations for nuns.

Category Number of rules

1. Parajika 4

2. Sanghadisesa 13

3. Aniyata 2

4. Nissaggiya Pacittya 30

5. Suddha Pacittya 92
6. Patidesaniya 4

7. Sekhiya 75
8. Adhikaranasamatha 7
Total 227

1. Regulations for monks and
nuns, Vinayapitaka
• 1.2 The Khandhaka section of the Vinaya consists
of two parts, the (1.2.1) Mahavagga ("Great
Grouping") and the (1.2.2) Cullavagga ("Small
Grouping"). These two sections lack logical
sequence. They contain rules for ordination;
descriptions of rainy-season retreats, instruction
of nuns; and so forth. The Cullavagga supplements
the details of the Mahavagga to make an
authoritative compilation of Buddha's sayings of
discipline.

1.2.1 Mahavagga
• The Mahavagga being the first and great
division of the second main complement
of Vinaya Pitaka called Khandhaka, gives
us a precise account of the Buddha’s
supreme Enlightenment or Buddha-hood
through insight meditation discovering
unique and fundamental tenets of His
teachings.

1.2.1 Mahavagga

• It also explains his first sermon
Dhammacakkapavattana Sutta which contains the
Fourfold Noble Truth, the Eightfold Noble Path; the
second sermon Anattalakkhana Sutta, discourse on
Non-self; how he for the first time formed the
Order of monks and commenced his missionary of
disseminating his newly unveiled Dhamma. How
his eminent disciples such as
Sariputta, Moggallana, Maha
Kassapa, Ananda, Upali, Angulimala etc joined his
Order being immensely fascinated with his
teaching of great profundity (intellectual depth).

1.2.2 Cullavagga
• Cullavagga explaining the methods of Vinaya-
Kamma, settling disputes, Buddhist synods etc. The
etymological definition of cullavagga can be, culla – lesser
or small and vagga – division or group; the lesser division.
Cullavagga contains 12 divisions short in size.
• 1.Kammakhandhaka: Formal acts such as Tajjiniya kamma,
Ukkhepaniya kamma, Pakasamika kamma, are mentioned
in this division.
• 2.Parivasakhandhaka: The probationary period for those
monks who have sanghadisesa offence is dealt with in this
division.
• 3.Samucchayakhandhaka: What this division deals with is
manatta and actually about the probation too.

1.2.2 Cullavagga
• 4.Samathakhandhaka: The different ways of
settling the legal questions is dealt in this division.
• 5.Khuddhaka: Minor matters or offences such as
cutting hair etc. are dealt in this division.
• 6.Senasanakhandhaka: it deals with the
accommodation or residence for monks in their
monastic life.
• 7. Sanghabhedakhandhaka : This division
deals with the schisms among the
monks or the fraternity based certain discord.

1.2.2 Cullavagga
• 8.Vattakhandhaka: it deals with the duties and
responsibilities of a resident monk towards the guest or
new comer monks both locality and in the forest.
• 9.Patimokkhatthapanakhandhaka: This chapter is
concerned with the suspensions or exclusion of the
Patimokkha introduced by the eight similes of the great
ocean.

1.2.2 Cullavagga
the eight similes of the great ocean.
• The simile method of teaching in the Dhamma is one of the most
influential methods of communicating the Dhamma adopted by the
Buddha. This method has been used in many discourses. The
discourse of the simile of the Ocean ( A. N. ii.47.Paharada Sutta)is one
such a discourse. Here the Buddha expounded eight characteristics in
the Order which are parallel with the Ocean. According to the Sutta
once Paharada, a chief of the Asura (demi-gods "titans" who are
hostile towards the gods and often engage in battle with them) came
to the Buddha and having saluted the Buddha sat down at aside.
After their courteous greetings the Buddha inquired about how many
excellent and wonderful things do they perceive in the great Ocean.
So Paharada pointed out eight excellent and wonderful things in the
great Ocean. He said " There are ,Ven. Sir, eight excellent and
wonderful things which we again and again perceive in the great
Ocean and therefore take delight in it."

• These are the eight:
• 1 The great Ocean, slopes away gradually, falls gradually, inclines gradually, and
not in an abrupt way like a precipice.
• 2 The great Ocean is stable and does not overflow its boundaries.
• 3 The great Ocean does not tolerate a dead body, a corpse. If there is a dead body
in it the great Ocean will quickly carry it to the shore cast it on to the land.
• 4 When these mighty rivers, like the Ganga, the Yamuna, the Aciravati and the
Sarabhu etc reach the great Ocean, they lose their former names and
designations, and are reckoned just as the great Ocean.
• 5 Though all the streams of the world flow into the great Ocean and rains falls
into it from the sky, yet there appears neither a decrease nor an increase in the
great Ocean.
• 6 The great Ocean has only one taste, that of salt.
• 7 In the great Ocean there are many and variegated precious things: There are
pearls, gems, lapis, lazuli, shells, quartz, corals, silver, gold, rubies and cats-eyes.
• 8 The great Ocean is the abode of vast creatures, the timi, the timingala, the
timirapingala, Asuras, Nagas and Gandhabba. There are, in the great Ocean
beings one hundred yojanas long or two ,three, four, five hundred yojanas long.

• When the chief of Asura, Paharada said so, explaining the nature of
the Order the Buddha said that there were eight excellent and
wonderful things in the Order(Teaching and discipline) which the
monks again and again perceive and therefore find delight in it.
They are as follows:
• The Buddha said
• 1 " Just as the great Ocean slopes away gradually, falls
gradually, inclines gradually, and not in an abrupt way like a
precipice, even so Paharada, is this teaching and discipline: there is
a gradual training (anupubbasikkha), gradual
practice(anupubbakiriya), gradual progress (anupubbapatipada);
there is no penetration to highest knowledge in an abrupt way. (It
means that taking a leap like a frog, without practicing from the
very beginning i.e. the fulfillment of morality(sila)
concentration(samadhi) and wisdom(panna) respectively, there is
no attainment of Arahantship. One has to practise the Dhamma in
due order, No concentration can be gained without morality and
there is no cultivation of wisdom without concentration of mind).

2 Just as the great Ocean is stable and does not overflow its
boundaries, even so when I have made known a rule of training to my
disciples ,they will not transgress it even for life's sake.
3 Just as the great Ocean will not tolerate a dead body, a corpse, but
quickly carries it to the shore and casts it on to the land; even so the
Order will not tolerate a person who is immoral, of bad character, of
impure and suspicious conduct, secretive in his actions, not a true
recluse but rather a sham-recluse, not chaste but pretending chastity,
rotten to the core , lustful and of vile behaviour. (in such a case) ,the
Order quickly assembles and expels such a person. Even if seated in
the midst of monks' assembly, yet he is far from the assembly, yet he is
far from the Order and the order is far from him. (Regarding this, in
this period of decadence of the Sasana we all can see, and have to
accept that there are certain bad elements in the order today. They
really are impediments to the Order. They commit even grave offences.
But there is no immediate assemble of the community of monks and
expulsion. Undoubtedly stern actions are to be taken by the Head of
the monks and the regime in power in order to purify the Sasana).

• 4 Just as the might rivers like Ganga and yamuna, on reaching the
great Ocean lose their former names and designations and are just
reckoned as the great ocean; even so when members of the four
castes -nobles, brahmins, burghers, and menials go forth from home
into homelessness life in this teaching and discipline proclaimed by
the Buddha, they lose their former names and lineage and are
reckoned only as recluses of the Son of the Sakyas (samana
sakyaputtiya).
• 5 Just as in the great ocean neither a decrease nor an increase will
appear thought all the streams of the world flow into it and rains fall
into it from the sky; even so in the Nibbana element that is without a
remainder of substrata of existence; there is no decrease nor increase
even if many monks enter it.
• 6 Just as the great ocean has only one taste, that of salt ; even so has
this teaching and discipline only one taste, the taste of liberation.

• 7 Just as in the great ocean there are many and variegated precious things as pearls, gems,
etc, even so there is in this teaching and discipline much that is precious; and there are the
precious things init; the four foundations of mindfulness, the four right efforts, the five
spiritual powers, the seven factors of enlightenment, the noble Eightfold Path.
• 8 Just as the great ocean is the abode of vast creatures the timingala... etc; even so is this
teaching and discipline the domain of great beings; the stream-enterer (sotapanna),and he
who practises for the realization of the fruition of stream entry(sotapattiphala),the once-
returner (sakadagami),and he who practises for the realization of the fruition of once
returner(sakadagamiphala),the Non—returner (Anagami) and he who practises for the
realization of the fruition of Non—return (Anagamiphala); the Arahant and he who
practises for Arahantship.
• According to this discourse in the Dhamma, it is crystal clear that there is a gradual
training, gradual practice and gradual progress in the Sasana. This is very important in the
context of practicing the Dhamma. One should be wise enough to understand the nature
of the Dhamma. It is impossible to realize the Dhamma in a hasty manner.
• There are three aspects to be followed namely Sila (morality) samadhi(concentration) and
wisdom (panna). In keeping with the practical side of them, the Buddha had explained the
significance of practicing all three simultaneously, which means that all three mutually
support each other. There is little or no possible of reaching the goal (Nibbana) by
developing only one aspect of the triad. Therefore let us strive to understand the Dhamma
properly and practise it gradually in our daily life.

1.2.2 Cullavagga
• 10.Bhikkhunikhandhaka: This chapter deals with the
Order of bhikkhunis. It also gives an account of how the
order of bhikkhunis came into being and their duties.
• 11.Pancasatikakhandhaka: It provides an account of
historical event of the first council held at Rajagaha soon
after Buddha’s Parinibbana in details. This first synod
attended by five hundred Arahant- monks produced a
compilation of Tipitaka in oral tradition.
• 12.Sattasatikakhandhaka: This division deals with the
second synod held at Vesali, attended by 700 monks. It
gives an account of how the unified sangha had split into
groups as the schools based on ten points of controversy.

1. Regulations for monks and nuns,
Vinayapitaka
• 1.3 The Parivara contains summaries
and classifications of the
disciplinary rules. It is a later
supplement.

1.3 Parivara
• Parivara Pali is the last book of Vinaya Pitaka.
It serves as the manual of the instruction in
the Vinaya Pitaka.(B C Law, A History of Pali Literature,
P. 78) U Ko Lay explicates about it thus, it is
compiled in the form of a catechism enabling
the reader to make an analytical survey of this
Pitaka. All the rules, official acts and other
matters of the Vinaya are classified under
separate categories according to subjects
dealt with.

1.3 Parivara

• It provides general principles and guidance
for the administrative affairs of the Order.
The procedures for settling of disputes and
handling matters forming a Sangha court or
committee with a body of well-qualified
learned Vinayadharas.(U Ko Lay, Guide to
Tipitaka, P.14,15)

2. Buddha Discourses and Sermons, Sutta
• 2.1 Suttanta Pitaka, is said to be the compilation of the
utterances of the Master himself (Dr. C Sharma, A Critical Survey of
Indian Philosophy, P. 71) or the discourses delivered by the
Buddha on various occasions in accordance of the
situation as well as temperaments of the audience and
the main source of the doctrine of the Buddha as
expounded in the argument and dialogues.(B C Law, A History of
Pali Literature, P. 79) There are also a few discourses delivered
by some of his better known disciples such as
Sariputta, Ananda, and Moggallana in it. There may be
seemingly contradictory statements.

Suttanta Pitaka
• In the sutttanta Pitaka are found not only the
fundamentals of the Dhamma but also
pragmatic guidelines to make the Dhamma
meaningful and applicable to daily life.(U Ko Lay,
Guide to Tipitaka, P. 16) The systematic practical method
of practices as a Noble Path of Eight factors to
achieve the goal of Supreme bliss of Nibbana is
advocated to us for the spiritual development
through threefold training (tisikkha). The
threefold training are,

• a) The Training of morality (Sila sikkha) observing the
precepts such as five, eight, ten forlaity, 227 for
bhikkhus etc is the development of wholesome conducts
formoral purity
• b) The training of concentration (Samadhi Sikkha) is the
purity of mind through tranquility meditation (Samatha
bhavana),
• c) The training of wisdom (Panna sikkha) is the purity of
Insight throughVipassana meditation.
• Morals, ethics, discipline, duties, responsibilities, obligat
ion, human qualities, cosmology, origin of life, the world
beyond are some of the significant subject matters
found in this Pitaka.


• Most of the sermons were intended mainly for the
benefit of Bhikkhus [ascetic monks]. There are
several other discourses which deal with both the
material and moral progress of His lay followers.
• Interspersed are stanzas to illustrate or sum up
particular points. Many of the discourses seem
drawn out and repetitive, but they were actually
made to serve oral transmission and - yes -
propaganda. Also, they are hints on how to
meditate, with illustrations by excellent similies.

• All the sayings of these discourses hardly represent
the exact words of Buddha, although some phrases
may have been accurately remembered. They can
reveal glimpses of the personality and soaring spirit
of Buddha.
• The grouping of the discourses into collections
(nikayas) has no topical basis. The third and fourth
nikayas (Samyutta and Anguttara) seem to reflect a
later development, they serve to rearrange the
topics dealt with in the Digha and Majjhima Nikayas


• The five nikayas or collections are:
– 1 Digha Nikaya (Collection of Long Discourses).
– 2 Majjhima Nikaya (Collection of Middle-Length
Discourses).
– 3 Samyutta Nikaya (Collection of Kindred (
Related )Sayings).
– 4 Anguttara Nikaya (Collection of Discourses
arranged in accordance with numbers).
– 5 Khuddaka Nikaya (Smaller Collection).

• 2.1.1 The Digha Nikaya ("Collection of Long
Discourses") contains 34 suttas, some of
considerable length, presenting a vivid picture of the
different aspects of life and thought at Buddha's
time. Divided into three books, it contrasts
superstitious beliefs, various doctrinal and
philosophical speculations, and ascetic practices
with Buddhist ethical ideas, which are elucidated
with the help of similes and examples taken from
the everyday life of the people. One of the most
interesting suttantas ("discourses") is the
Mahaparinibbana Sutta, which gives an account of
the last days of Buddha and stresses the importance
of striving for emancipation. (freeing someone from the control of
another)

Digha Nikaya
• being the first book of Suttanta Pitaka
and a collection of long discourses has
thirty four suttas. All these suttas are
again dividedinto three groups (vaggas)
as follows:
• (A) Silakkhandha Vagga:The division
concerning morality
• (B) Maha vagga:The great division
• (C) Patika vagga: The Patika division

A) Silakkhandha vagga:
• This division is formed with thirteen important
suttas which are mostly connected with morality
of various types practised basically by the
recluses. It also provides explanation about the
contemporary wrong views, Hindu view of
sacrifice, caste system and the practices
considered extremes in Buddhism. Some of the
important suttas in this vagga are Brahmajala
Sutta, Samannaphala sutta, Kutadanda
Sutta, Mahasihanada Sutta, Kevatta Sutta, Tevijja
Sutta and so on.

Brahmajala Sutta:
• This is the first sutta of Silakkhandha vagga. The
wanderer Suppiya speaks ill of the Triple Gem but the
Buddha advises monks not to be affected by either
praise or blame of the teaching because the ‘worldling’
will praise him for superficial reasons, not for the
essence of his teachings. Sixty two different types of
wrong view are mentioned here, all of which are based
on contact of the six sense-bases and their objects.57
Sassata ditthi, Antananta ditthi, Amaravikkhepavada,
Adhiccasamuppannavada, Ditthadhamma nibbanavada
are some of those wrong views which are ensnared in
Buddha’s in the supreme net.

B) Mahavagga:
• This division is comprised another ten long
suttas which are some of the most important
ones in Tipitaka, dealing with historicaland
biographical as well as the doctrinal aspects
of Buddhism.(U Ko Lay, Guide to Tipitaka, P. 30) Some
of the important suttas in this vagga are
Mahaparinibbana Sutta, Mahapadana
Sutta, Mahanidana Sutta, Mahasatipatthana
Sutta, Payasi,etc.

Mahaparinibbana sutta:
• This is one of the longest and more important
suttas. It gives narrative accounts of last days of
the Buddha. With Ananda, he visits a series of
places and gives discourses to monks and laity.
Vajjian republican system is praised by Buddha
to see as an example for the sangha. He gets
ailed having eaten Cunda’s sukara-maddava at
Pava. He passes away after giving last instructive
words “strive on untiringly-appamadena
sampadetha”
. (Maurice
Walshe, DN, P.59)

C) Pathikavagga:
• This section starts with Pathika Sutta and
consists of eleven suttas. It mainly deals with
rejection of wrong views, futile ascetic
practices, Buddhist cosmology, ven.Sariputta’s
eulogy to Buddha, universal monarch, thirty two
body marks of a great man, social
responsibilities etc. some of the important
suttas in this vagga are PathikaSutta, Cakkavatti
sihanada Sutta, Agganna Sutta, Pasadika
sutta,lakkhana sutta, Singala sutta, Sangiti sutta
etc.

Pathika sutta:
• The name of this division seems to have been
named for this sutta. The sutta is about a
foolish disciple of the Buddha called
Sunakkhatta who leaves the Order having
been fascinated some dubious‘holy man’. The
Pathikaputta challenges the Buddha to a
contest of miracles but he can not even rise
from his seat to meet him as the Buddha
prophesied. (Maurice Walshe, DN, P.61)


• 2.1.2 The Majjhima Nikaya ("Collection of the
Middle Length Sayings") contains 152 suttas
in its present version, while the Chinese one,
preserving the lost Sarvastivada collection,
has 222, some of which are also found in
other nikayas (collections) of the Pali canon.
Like the Digha, the suttas in the Majjhima
present Buddhist ideas and ideals, illustrating
them by profound similes of beauty.

The Majjhima Nikaya
• These suttas of 152 are divided into
three divisions (vaggas)as follows:
• A) Mulapannasa Pali – The first batch of
50
B) Majjhimapannsa Pali – The middle
batch of 50
C) Uparipannasa Pali – The last batch of
52

• 2.1.3 The Samyutta Nikaya ("Collection of
Kindred Discourses") has altogether 7,762
suttas (P.A.Payutto,2010), classed in 56
divisions (called samyutta) grouped in five
parts (vaggas).
– 2.1.3.1 The first vagga (part) has suttas that
contain stanzas. The suttas begin with a
description of the particular occasion when the
stanzas were spoken; the stanzas themselves
represent a kind of questioning and answering.
Sagathavagga (11 Samyuttas) : The book with
verses of dialogue

About Tipitaka
• According to another classification, mentioned
by the Buddha Himself, the whole teaching is
ninefold in terms of components, namely-1.
Sutta(Discourse) 2. Geyya (Poem) 3.
Veyyakarana (Explanation) 4. Gatha(Stanza) 5.
Udana (Emotional Utterance) 6. Itivittaka (Thus-
saiddiscourses) 7. Jataka (Birth story) 8.
Abhutadhamma (Wonder, marvel) 9.Vedalla
(Catechism).
• (.Dr. K Sri. Dhammananda, What Buddhist Believe, P. 103)

The Samyutta Nikaya
– 2.1.3.2 The second vagga deals with the
important principle of dependent origination -
the chain of cause and effect affecting all
things. (Nidanavagga (10 Samyuttas): The book
of Causation)
– 2.1.3.3 The third vagga presents the anatman
(no-self) doctrine, which is the rejection of an
abiding principle that could be termed a self or
a pure ego.(Khandhavagga (13 Samyuttas): The
book of the Aggregates

The Samyutta Nikaya
• 2.1.3.4 The fourth vagga is very similar to the
previous one, but here it is not the
philosophical principle underlying the
analysis that is stressed but the transitoriness
of the elements constituting reality.
(Salayatanavagga (10 Samyuttas): The book of
the Six Sense Bases)

The Samyutta Nikaya
• 2.1.3.5 The fifth vagga is devoted to a
discussion of the basic principles of Buddhist
philosophy, religion, and culture. (Mahavagga
(12 Samyuttas): The Great Book on 37
Bodhipakkhiya Dhamma. )

2.1.4 The Anguttara Nikaya
• 2.1.4 The Anguttara Nikaya ("Collection of the
Gradual Sayings") contains as many as 9557 short
suttas arranged according to the number of topics
discussed, ranging from one to eleven divisions
known as Nipatas. (U Ko Lay, guide to Tipitaka, P.107) Each
Nipata has sub-chapters containing Suttas
arranged in progressive numerical Order. There
are three areas in which training is needed: in
conduct, concentration, and insight - and [at least]
eight worldly concerns: gain, loss, fame, blame,
rebuke, praise, pleasure, and pain. Here, too,
similes enliven the presentation.

The Khuddaka Nikaya

• 2.1.5 The Khuddaka Nikaya ("Collection of
Small Texts") is subdivided into fifteen
books:
-1 Khuddaka-patha ("Small Reading", or
Shorter Texts). This is the smallest book in the
entire Tipitaka. Compiled for use by primary
trainees, its contents are used on various
occasions. Two suttas have been borrowed
from the Suttanipata , and their recitation is
regarded as very auspicious fortunate .

The Khuddaka Nikaya
-2 Dhammapada (Way of Truth), also called
"Verses on the Dhamma" - This work contains
423 verses. Presenting maxims of Buddhist
ethics, it not only occupies an eminent place
in the religious life of the peoples in Buddhist
countries but is also of universal appeal, as it
recommends a life of peace and nonviolence
and declares that enmity can never be
overcome by enmity, only by kindness.

The Khuddaka Nikaya
– 3 Udana (Paeans of Joy), or "Utterances". This
contains 80 utterances attributed to Buddha
or his chief disciples, when they had achieved
the bliss of their emancipation or spoke in
appreciation of a sublime state.
– 4 Iti Vuttaka ("Thus said" Discourses), or
"Thus Said" - This contains 112 short pieces
dealing with ethical principles, such as
generosity, good and evil, greed, passion, and
malice.

The Khuddaka Nikaya
– 5 Sutta Nipata (Collected Discourses), or
"Collection of 71 suttas" - This is one of the
oldest Buddhist texts in existence today. It is
partly in verse, partly in a mixed style of prose
and verse. The verse part is of high poetic
quality.
– 6 Vimana Vatthu (Stories of Celestial
Mansions), or “85 Tales of Heavenly Mansions" -
This book describes the different abodes of
deities, male and female, who are born in the
heavens as a result of their former meritorious

The Khuddaka Nikaya
– 7 Peta Vatthu (51Stories of Petas), or "Tales of
Ghosts" - This work gives an account of the
various purgatories and the woes of the beings
reborn there as a result of their wicked deeds.
– 8 Theragatha (Psalms of the Brethren), or
"Hymns of the Elders" - This collection contains
songs attributed to 264 personal disciples of
Buddha. The songs are said to have been
composed when their authors experienced the
bliss of emancipation.

The Khuddaka Nikaya
– 9 Therigatha (Psalms of the Sisters), or
"Hymns of the Senior Bhikkunis" - These
are the songs attributed to about 73
female disciples of Buddha. They provide
rich material for the study of the position
of women at the time of Buddha. Their
merit consists in their revealing the deep
impression Buddha's teaching made upon
their life. A personal tone is unmistakable.

The Khuddaka Nikaya
– 10 Jataka (Birth Stories), or "Lives [of Buddha]" -
Only the verses are considered to be canonical,
while the 525 tales of Buddha's previous lives are
considered a later addition. The prose stories
contain legends, fables, humorous anecdotes,
and short sayings, as well as lengthy romances.
– 11 Niddesa (Expositions), or "Exposition" - This
work, consisting of two parts, Mahaniddesa(16
Suttas) and Cullaniddesa(16Suttas), actually
belongs to the group of commentaries. The last
two chapters comment on the Suttanipata.

The Khuddaka Nikaya

– 12Patisambhida Magga (Analytical
Knowledge), or "The Way of Analysis" - This is
a kind of encyclopaedia of the philosophical
ideas in the Sutta Pitaka. It is primarily meant
for reference and intensive study. (The
Sartputta’s explanation)

The Khuddaka Nikaya
• 13Apadana (Lives of Arahants), or "Stories" - This is a
collection of stories of the previous lives of Buddha,
the pratyeka buddhas (who attain enlightenment by
themselves and are unconcerned about the
enlightenment of others), and the arhats of the early
Buddhist sangha, whose Theragatha and Therigatha
songs are incorporated and embellished with rich
biographical detail. The concluding sentence of each
apadana in the collection is intended to show that
even the smallest meritorious act has the potentiality
of giving vast positive results even after a long time. All
the stories are in verse.

The Khuddaka Nikaya
– 14 Buddhavamsa (The History of Buddha), or
"Lineage of Buddha" - This work relates the lives of
24 previous buddhas, of Gotama (the historical
Buddha), and of Metteyya (Sanskrit: Maitreya; the
future buddha). According to the text, the stories
are told by the historical Buddha himself.
– 15 Cariya Pitaka (Modes of Conduct), or "Basket of
Conduct" - This collection retells 35 Jatakas (stories
of Buddha's previous lives) in verse form, illustrating
the bodhisattva's practice of the 10 perfections
(paramitas) necessary for the attainment of
Buddhahood.

3. Abhidhamma Pitaka of
Scholasticism
• The Abhidhamma Pitaka ("Basket of
Scholasticism") is the third of the three
"baskets". It comprises seven works that are
based on the contents of Buddha's
discourses and deal with selected and
specific topics that form the basis for the
later philosophical interpretations. The Pali
version is a strictly Theravada collection and
has little in common with the Abhidhamma
works recognized by other schools.

Scholasticism
• The Abhidhamma Pitaka contains the
profound philosophy of Buddha's teaching
in contrast to the illuminating and simpler
discourses in the Sutta Pitaka. Narada
Thera says, "In the Sutta Pitaka is found
the conventional teaching (vohara desana)
while in the Abhidhamma Pitaka is found
the ultimate teaching (paramattha-
desana)."

Scholasticism
• In Abhidhamma, consciousness is defined.
Thoughts are analyzed and classified from an
ethical standpoint mainly. Mental states are
enumerated. Mind and matter are discussed,
an ethical system is evolved, with the aim of
realizing Nibbana.

Scholasticism
• The seven books of the Abhidhamma Pitaka
in the Pali canon are:
• 3.1 Dhammasangani ("Summary of Dhamma"
or "Classification of Dhammas), an
enumeration of the entities constituting
reality.
• 3.2 Vibhanga ("Division", or "The book of
Divisions), a definition of these entities from
various points of view.

Scholasticism
• 3.3 Kathavatthu ("Points of Controversy", or
"Points of Controversy), a later work discussing
the controversial doctrinal points among the
various ancient schools.
• 3.4 Puggalapannatti ("Designation of Person", or
"Descriptions of Individuals), an interesting
psychological typology in which people are
classified according to their intellectual acumen
and spiritual attainments.

Scholasticism
• 3.5 Dhatukatha ("Discussion of Elements", or
"Discussion with reference to elements), a
classification of the elements of reality
according to various levels of organization.
• 3.6 Yamaka ("Pairs", or "The Book of Pairs),
dealing with basic sets of categories arranged
in pairs of questions.
• 3.7 Patthana ("Activations", or "The Book of
Relations), a voluminous work discussing 24
kinds of causal relations.

Lec. 4 the classifying system of tipitaka in thailand

Conclusion
• Buddha teachings consist of Dhamma
and Vinaya are categorized into three
divisions. Vinaya Pitaka, the division of
discipline; Suttanta Pitaka, the division
of discourses; Abhidhamma Pitaka, the
division of higher teachings or Buddhist
psychology.

Conclusion
• Vinaya Pitaka contains the rules and regulations
for the Community of those who have gone
forth from home to homelessness in seek of true
liberation from the burden of Samsara called
defilements (Kilesa). It has three main
complements, namely, (1) Sutta Vibhanga (2)
Khandhaka (3)Parivara. Sutta Vibhnaga is
divided into two books, Bhikkhu Vibhanga
containing 227 rules for bhikkhus and Bhikkhuni
Vibhanga containing 311 rules for bhikkhunis.

Conclusion
• And Khandhaka is also divided into two
books, Mahavagga giving accounts of
Buddha’s enlightenment, regulations for
monks in various matters and
Cullavagga explaining the methods of
Vinaya-Kamma, settling disputes,
Buddhist synods etc.

Conclusion
• Suttanta Pitaka is the collection of Buddha’s
discourses preserved in thePali Canon (Bhikkhu
Bodhi, In the Buddha’s Words (Anthology of Discourses from the Pali Canon), P. 9,Wisdom

containing various aspects of life
Publication, USA. )

such as social, economic,educational, secular
life, moral, spiritual, humanitarian, psycholog
ical, cosmological, universal and so on. It
comprises Five major divisions called
Nikayas, namely, Digha Nikaya, Majjhima
Nikaya, SamyuttaNikaya, Anguttara
Nikaya, and Khuddhaka Nikaya.

Conclusion
• Digha Nikaya has 34 Suttas divided
into three sub-
divisions, namely, (1)Silakkhandha
Vagga (2) Maha Vagga (3) Pathika
Vagga.

Conclusion
• MajjhimaNikaya has 152 Suttas
divided into three sub-
divisions, namely, (1)Mulapannasa
(2) Majjhimapannasa and (3)
Uparipannasa.

Conclusion
• SamyuttaNikaya has 7762 Suttas
divided into five sub-divisions,
namely, (1)Sagatha Vagga (2) Nidana
Vagga (3) Khandha Vagga (4)
SalayatanaVagga (5) Maha Vagga.

Conclusion
• Anguttara Nikaya has 9557 Suttas
divided into eleven Nipatas
namely, Ekaka Nipata, Dukaka
Nipata, Tika Nipata etc up to
Ekadasa Nipata.

Conclusion
• Khuddhaka Nikaya, even though literally
‘small’, is the important collection of 15
books of different subject matters. They
are (1)Khuddhakapatha (2) Dhammapada
(3) Udana (4) Itivuttaka (5)Suttanipata (6)
Vimana Vatthu (7) Pet Vatthu (8)
Theragatha (9)Therigatha (10) Jataka (11)
Niddesa (12) Patisambhidamagga
(13)Apadana (14) Buddhavamsa (15)
Cariya Pitaka.

Conclusion
• Abhidhamma Pitaka is the higher teachings in the
sense that it goes beyond the “Conventional Level”
of teaching and elaborates the so-called“World of
Senses” into “Ultimate Realities”. Whole world
with its beings is described into only two
categories namely, Mind (Nama) and physicality
(Rupa) and this complex happening of mentality
and materiality has three phases of time – genesis
or birth, cessation or death and a static interval
between. (Maha Thera Ladi Sayadaw, The Manuals of Buddhism (The
Expositions of the Buddha-Dhamma),P. 61, Mother Ayeyarwaddy Publishing
House, Yangon, Myanmar. )

Conclusion
• This Pitaka is consists of the seven books
namely, (1) Dhammasanghani (2) Vibhanga (3)
Dhatukatha (4)Puggalapannati (5) Kathavatthu
(6) Yamaka (7) Patthana. Dhammasanghani
explains different categories of Kusala, Akusala
and Abykatha dhammas. Puggalapannati talks
about various temperaments of individuals.
Patthana expresses how the happenings take
place always “Being Conditioned” by something
else under the under the five fold Cosmic Laws.

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