Tri-Pitaka and Twelve Divisions – Lotus Happiness

Tripitaka (or Tipitika) is the collection of the mentors of the Buddha over 45 years. It includes Sutra (the traditional mentor), Vinaya (Disciplinary code) and Abhidhamma (commentaries).

The Tripitaka was assembled and organized in its present type by the disciples who had instant contact with Shakyamuni Buddha.

The Buddha had actually died, however the superb Dharma which he unreservedly bestowed to mankind still exists in its beautiful pureness.

Although the Buddha had actually left no composed records of his mentors, his recognized disciples protected them by devoting to memory and transferring them orally from generation to generation.

Brief historic background

Immediately after the last diing of the Buddha, 500 differentiated Arahats held a convention referred to as the First Buddhist Council to practice the Doctrine taught by theBuddha Venerable Ananda, who was a devoted attendant of the Buddha and had the unique benefit of hearing all the discourses the Buddha ever said, recited the Sutra, whilst the Venerable Upali recited the Vinaya, the guidelines of conduct for the Sangha.

One a century after the First Buddhist Council, some disciples saw the requirement to alter specific small guidelines. The orthodox Bhiksus stated that absolutely nothing ought to be altered while the others demanded customizing some disciplinary guidelines (Vinaya). Finally, the development of various schools of Buddhism sprouted after his council. And in the Second Council, just matters relating to the Vinaya were gone over and no debate about the Dharma was reported.

In the 3rd Century B.C. throughout the time of Emperor Asoka, the Third Council was held to talk about the disagreements held by the Sangha neighborhood. At this Council the distinctions were not restricted to the Vinaya however were likewise gotten in touch with theDharma The Abhidhamma Pitaka was gone over and consisted of at thisCouncil The Council which was kept in Sri Lanka in 80 B.C. is referred to as the 4th Council under the patronage of the piousKing Vattagamini Abbaya It was at this time in Sri Lanka that the Tripitaka was very first dedicated to composing in Pali language.

Sutra Pitaka

The Sutra Pitaka (Sutra Pitaka in Sanskrit) consists primarily of discourses provided by the Buddha himself on numerous celebrations. There were likewise a couple of discourses provided by a few of his recognized disciples (e.g. Sariputta, Ananda, Moggallana) consisted of in it. It resembles a book of prescriptions, as the preachings embodied therein were stated to fit the various celebrations and the personalities of numerous individuals. There might be relatively inconsistent declarations, however they must not be misinterpreted as they were opportunely said by the Buddha to fit a specific function.

This Pitaka is divided into 5 Nikayas or collections, viz.:-

1. 1. Dlgha Nikaya (Collection of Long Discourses)
   2. Majjhima Nikaya (Collection of Middle- length Discourses)
   3. Samyuita Nikaya (Collection of Kindred Sayings)
   4. Anguttara Nikaya (Collection of Discourses organized in accordance with number)
   5. Khuddaka Nikaya (Smaller Collection)

The 5th is partitioned into fifteen books:-

1. 1. Khuddaka Patha (Shorter Texts)
   2. Dhammapada (The Way of Truth)
   3. Udana (Heartfelt phrases or Paeons of Joy)
   4. Iti Vuttaka (‘Thus said’ Discourses)
   5. Sutta Nipata (Collected Discourses)
   6. Vimana Vatthu (Stories of Celestial Mansions)
   7. Peta Vatthu (Stories of Petas)
   8. Theragatha (Psalms of the Brethren)
   9. Therigatha (Psalms of the Sisters)
   10. Jataka (Birth Stories)
   11. Niddesa (Expositions)
   12. Patisambhida (Analytical Knowledge)
   13. Apadana (Lives of Saints)
   14. Buddhavamsa (The History of Buddha)
   15. Cariya Pitaka (Modes of Conduct)

Vinaya Pitaka

The Vinaya Pitaka primarily handles the guidelines and policies of the Order of monks (Bhikhus) and nuns (Bhikhunis). It likewise provides an account of the life and ministry of theBuddha Indirectly it exposes some beneficial info about ancient history, Indian custom-mades, arts, sciences, and so on

For almost twenty years given that his knowledge, the Buddha did not put down guidelines for the control of theSangha Later, as the celebration developed, the Buddha promulgated guidelines for the future discipline of the Sangha.

This Pitaka includes the following 5 books:-

1. 1. Parajika Pali (Major Offences)
   2. Pacittiya Pali (Minor Offences)
   3. Mahavagga Pali (Greater Section)
   4. Cullavagga Pali (Smaller Section)
   5. Parivara Pali (Epitome of the Vinaya)

Abhidhamma Pitaka

The Abhidhamma (Abhidharma in Sanskrit), likewise referred to as Shastra, is the most crucial and intriguing, as it includes the extensive viewpoint of the Buddha’s mentor in contrast to the illuminating however easier discourses in the Sutra Pitaka.

In the Sutra Pitaka one frequently discovers referrals to specific, being, and so on, however in the Abhidhamma, rather of such traditional terms, we consult with supreme terms, such as aggregates, mind, matter etc.

In the Abhidhamma whatever is evaluated and discussed in information, and as such it is called analytical teaching (Vibhajja Vada).

Four supreme things (Paramattha) are mentioned in theAbhidhamma They are Citta (Consciousness), Cetasika (Mental concomitants). Rupa (Matter) and Nibbana

The so- called being is microscopically evaluated and its part are minutely explained. Finally the supreme objective and the technique to accomplish it is discussed with all essential information.

The Abhidhamma Pitaka is made up of the following works:

1. 1. Dhamma-Sangani (Enumeration of Phenomena)
   2. Vibhanaga (The Book of the Treatises)
   3. Ikatha Vatthu (Point of Controversy)
   4. Puggala Pannatti (Description of Individuals)
   5. Dhatu Katha (Discussion with recommendation to Elements)
   6. Yamaka (The Book of Pairs)
   7. Patthana (The Book of Relations)

Twelve Divisions of Buddhist Canons

The material of Buddhist canons is divided into twelve divisions, classified by the kinds of types of literature (i.e., Sutra, Geya and Gatha) and the context (i.e., all other 9 divisions). It is referred to as the Twelve Divisions.

1. 1. Sutra (Sutta in Pali)– These are the brief, medium, and long discourses stated by the Buddha on numerous celebrations. The entire Vinaya Pitaka is likewise consisted of in this regard.
   2. Geya (Geyya in Pali)– i.e., the metrical pieces. These are discourses/proses blended with Gathas or verses.
   3. Gatha — i.e., verses, poems or chants. These consist of verses formed in the Dharmapada, and so on, and those separated verses which are not categorized among the Sutra.
   4. Nidana — i.e., the causes and conditions of the Buddha’s mentors.
   5. Itivrttaka — i.e., the sutras in which the Buddhas inform of the deeds of their disciples and others in previous lives.
   6. Jataka — i.e., stories of the previous lives ofBuddhas These are the 547 birth- stories.
   7. Abbhuta- dharma — i.e., wonders, and so on These are the couple of discourses that handle fantastic and unthinkable powers of the Buddhas.
   8. Avadana — i.e., parables, metaphors. Illustrations are utilized to assist in the humans to comprehend the extensive significances of the Buddhist Dharma.
   9. Upadesa — i.e., dogmatic writings. The discourse and conversations by concerns and responses relating to the Buddhist teachings. It is a synonym for Abhidharma Pitaka.
   10. Udana — i.e., unsolicited or unscripted addresses. The Buddha speaks willingly and not in reply to appeals or concerns, e.g., the Amitabha Sutra.
   11. Vaipulya — i.e., analysis by elaboration or much deeper description of the teachings. It is the broad school or broader mentors, on the other hand with the “narrow” school. The term covers the entire of the particularly Mahayana sutras. The Sutras are likewise referred to as the bibles of measureless significance, i.e., boundless and universalistic.
   12. Vyakarana (Veyyakarama in Pali)– i.e. predictions, forecast by the Buddha of the future achievement of Buddhahood by his disciples.

Nine Divisions of Buddhist Canons

The term is normally describedHinayana There are just 9 divisions omitting Udana, Vaipulya and Vyakarana.

However, there is likewise a Mahayana department of 9 of the Twelve Divisions, i.e., all other than Nidana, Avadana and Upadesa.