Sacred Texts

Languages of the Texts

Pali Language
Indo European language written in India during the time of Gautama Buddha
The first Buddhist Scriptures were written in the Pali language
Theravada Buddhists only used the original Pali texts

Sanskrit Language
Indian written language emerged in South India between 1500 BC - 1200
BC. Vedas were written in Sanskrit. Continued until decline in 13th Century
Most Indian sacred literature written in Sanskrit

Rig Veda

Buddhist Canons (sacred text)
Mahayana Buddhists — texts in Sanskrit, Chinese, Tibetan,
Theravada Buddhists — only text in Pali

Tripitaka (Buddhist Canon)

Tripitaka (Three Baskets)
• Written in Pali
• Began after the
fi
rst Council in 483 BC
• Completed by the 1st Century BC

Tripitaka (Three Baskets)
1. Vinaya Pitaka
2. Sutra Pitaka
3. Abhidhamma Pitaka

1. Vinaya Pitaka
Rules of behavior for monks and nuns

2. Sutra Pitaka
The teachings of Buddha between the
years of his enlightenment and death.
Written by Ananda, his main disciple
10,000 teachings or “sutras”

3. Abhidarma Pitaka
Commentaries on the sutras and
Buddhist teachings written during
the years after he died

Theravada Canon

Pali Canon
The three texts
Written in the Pali Language

Mahayana Canon

Mahayana Canon
Written between 1st century BC and 1st Century AD
Most are written in Sanskrit (not Pali)

Mahayana Canon
Chinese Canon — written in Chinese, read in China & Japan
Tibetan Canon — written in Tibetan language, in Vajrayana Buddhism
Sanskrit Canon — written in Sanskrit, surviving Sanskrit writings

Artifacts of Buddhism

29 Buddhas
Theravada Buddhism

Theravada Buddhism
Buddha refers to anyone who has become enlightened through
their own efforts and insight. In the Pali texts it says that Buddhas
have appeared in the past and will so in the future. Each Buddha
became enlightened under their own tree.

Twenty-Nine Buddhas
Taṇhaṅkara Buddha,
Medhaṅkara Buddha,
Saraṇkara Buddha,
Dīpankara Buddha,
Koṇdañña Buddha,
Maṅgala Buddha,
Sumana Buddha,
Revata Buddha,
Sobhita Buddha,
Anomadassi Buddha,
Paduma Buddha,
Nārada Buddha,
Padumuttara Buddha,
Sumedha Buddha,
Sujāta Buddha,
Piyadassi Buddha,
Atthadassi Buddha,
Dhammadassī Buddha,
Siddhattha Buddha,
Tissa Buddha,
Phussa Buddha,
Vipassī Buddha,
Sikhī Buddha,
Vessabhū Buddha,
Kakusandha Buddha,
Koṇāgamana Buddha,
Kassapa Buddha,
Gautama Buddha
Matrieya Buddha

Dīpankara Buddha,
The mystic who prophecies to
Gautama’s father that Gautama would
be the Buddha

Gautama Buddha,
Siddhartha Gautama, founder of
Buddhism in this age

Maitreya Buddha
The Buddha yet to come

Maitreya Buddha
Maitreye Sanskrit for Friendship
He currently lives in heaven
When the teachings of
Gautama are forgotten, he will
appear, teach Dharma to all the
peoples and establish peace
on earth

Buddha’s Hands

Mudras
Symbolic hand gestures in
Buddhist rituals

Practices

Buddhist Practices
• Meditation - focus and achieving higher state
• Chanting - reciting scriptures
• Mala - Counting string of beads used to maintain focus
• Bowing - a sign of respect
• Praying - asking the Buddha for blessing
• Offerings - leaving gifts like
fl
owers that fade and die

Sacred Places

Monastery

Temple

Pagoda

Stupa

Holidays

Iron, E. (2016). Encyclopedia of Buddhism. Facts on File.
Buswell, D. Ed. (2014). Princeton Dictionary of Buddhism. Princeton
Perish, C. (2004). Buddhism: An Online introduction

Dharma Day
(Jin Rou & Hen Sure, 2018)

Buddhist New Year
(Jin Rou & Hen Sure, 2018)

Kathina
(Jin Rou & Hen Sure, 2018)

Guan Yin Celebration
(Jin Rou & Hen Sure, 2018)

Ullambana
(Jin Rou & Hen Sure, 2018)

Wesak
(Jin Rou & Hen Sure, 2018)