Buddhist Texts and Jain Texts

Buddhist Texts and Jain Texts

The Buddhist texts are divided into two categories: Pali texts & Anupali Texts. 

Important Pali Texts

Among Pali texts, Tripitaka, Deep Vansha & Mahavansh, "Milind pannaho", etc, are important texts. The Tripitaka is the earliest and most important text among the Pali Texts. 

Tripitaka

The Tripitaka comprises Vinaya Pitaka, Sutta Pitaka & Abhidhamma Pitaka. 

Compilation of Tripitaka

• The "Vinaya Pitaka" & the "Sutta Pitaka" were compiled in the First Buddhist Council (483 BC) held in Rajagriha (Bihar), while the "Abhidhamma Pitaka" was compiled in the third Buddhist Council (250 BC) held in Pataliputra (Bihar).

• The Tripitaka throws light on the social and religious life of India of that time, ie, the centuries before Christ. 

Vinaya Pitaka

• "Vinaya Pitaka" contains disciplinary rules & regulations for leading a monastic life. 

Sutta Pitaka

• "Sutta Pitaka" is the largest and most important text among the Tripitaka. "Ambattha Sutta" of Digh Nikaya of Sutta Pitaka contains the description of the special pride of Kshatriya for blood-purity. 

• "Anguttara Nikaya" of Sutta Pitaka contains the list of 16 Mahajanapadas. Jataka of Khuddaka Nikaya of Sutta Pitaka contains 549 folk tales of the previous births of Gautama Buddha.

• The compilation of the Jataka had begun in 1 Century BC This fact is very clear from the scenes carved on the railings of Bharahuta & Sanchi Stupas.

• The verse part of the Jataka is older than the prose part. The compilation of the verse part of the Jataka had been completed by to 2nd Century AD.

• Though "Jataka" is a religious & cultural text, it throws sufficient light on the social & economic conditions of that time. 

Abhidhamma Pitaka

• "Abhidhamma Pitaka" deals with the doctrines of the Buddha in a scholastic manner. 

Deep Vansha & Maha Vansha

Deep Vansha (4th Century AD) & "Maha Vansha" (5th Century AD) had been compiled in Sri Lanka.

Though these texts contain the history of Sri Lanka, they throw light on ancient Indian history, especially as they are very helpful in constructing Mauryan history. 

Milind pannaha

Originally "Milind pannaha", i.e, Questions of Milind is a dialogue between the Greek king Milind (identified as Menander, the Indo-Greek ruler) and Buddhist monk Nagasena (identified as Nagarjuna) on philosophical matter, but it throws suffice light on religious, social & economic life of North-West India of 1st-2nd century AD.

The political condition of that time is mentioned occasionally in it. The foreign trade of India is described in it. 

Anupali Texts (Sanskrit & Other Texts)

• Among Anupali Texts (Le; Sanskrit Texts & other texts), "Divyavadan", "Aryamanjushrimulkalpa", "Lalit Vistar", etc., are important texts. 

Divyavadan

• "Divyavadan" contains the stories of later Mauryan kings & Shunga king (Pushyamitra Shunga) and the life of Gautam Buddha. 

Aryamanjushrimulkalpa

• Political events of the Pre-Mauryan period to the Vardhana period (Harshavardhana) are described occasionally in "Aryamanjushrimulkalpa". 

Lalit Vistar

• "Lalit Vistar" contains the acts of Gautama Buddha along with the religious and social conditions of that time.

Jain Texts

The Jain Texts throw light on the religious & social conditions of that time. The Jain texts were eventually compiled in the 6th century AD in the 2nd Jain Mahasabha held at Vallabhi in Gujarat.

Important Jain Texts

Among the Jain texts 12 Angas are important.

Acharanga Sutra

• The "Acharanga Sutra" contains disciplinary rules & regulations for Jain monks.

Bhagawati Sutra

• "Bhagawati Sutra" throws light on the life of Mahavira and contains the list of 16 Mahajanapadas.

Namadhamma Katha Sutra

• "Namadhamma Katha Sutra" contains the preachings of Mahavira.

Antagada-dasao & Anutarovavaiydasao

• "Antagada-dasao & Anutarovavaiydasao" contain life stories of famous Jain monks.

Vivagasuyam Sutra

• "Vivagasuyam Sutra" contains discussion on Karma Phala i.e. fruits of actions.

Bhadrabahu Charita

• "Bhadrabahu Charita" contains the life-sketch of Jain Acharya Bhadrabahu along the glimpses of the later life of Mauryan king Chandragupta Maurya.

Parishishtaparva

• From the point of view of history, the "Parishishtaparva" written by Jain Acharya Hemchandra has the most important place among Jain Texts.

Final Thoughts

The Buddhist and Jain texts are invaluable sources for understanding the religious, social, and cultural life of ancient India.

While the Buddhist texts, including the Pali and Anupali scriptures, illuminate the teachings of the Buddha, the evolution of monastic discipline, and the broader historical context.

The Jain texts offer deep insights into Jain philosophy, ethics, and early Indian history.

Together, these literary treasures not only preserve spiritual traditions but also help reconstruct the political and economic conditions of early Indian civilization.