Tipitaka

The Vinaya being the life-blood of the sasana was rehearsed first. It is composed of five books-namely,

I. Parajika Pali -Major Offences

II. Pacittiya Pali - Minor Offences

III. Mahavagga Pali - Greater Section

IV. Culavagga Pali - Smaller Section

V. Parivara Pali - Epitome of the Vinaya

The Dhamma consists of Five Nikáyas - namely,

I. Digha Nikáya - Collection of Long Discourses

II. Majjhima Nikáya - Collection of Middle-length Discourses

III. Samyutta Nikáya - Collection of Kindred

IV. Anguttara Nikáya - Collection of Discourses arranged in accordance with number

V. Khuddaka Nikáya - Smaller Collection

The fifth is subdivided into fifteen books:-

I. Khuddaka Patha - Shorter Texts

II. Dhammapada - Way of Truth

III. Udana - Paeans of Joy

IV. Iti Vuttaka - "Thus said" Discourses

V. Sutta Nipata - Collected Discourses

VI. Vimana vatthu - Stories of Celestial Mansions

VII. Peta vatthu - Stories of Petas

VIII. Theragatha- Psalms of the Brethren

IX. Therigatha- Psalms of the Sisters

X. Jataka - Birth Stories

XI. Niddesa - Expositions

XII. Patisambhida-Analytical Knowledge

XIII. Apadana - Lives of Arahants

XIV. Buddhavamsa - The History of the Buddha

XV. Cariya Pitaka - Modes of Conduct

It should be noted that the introductory words in every Sutta - "Evam me sutam, thus have I heard" - were uttered by the Venerable Ánanda Thera.

The Abhidhamma, according to tradition, was rehearsed by all Arahants that were present at the Convocation. It consists of the following seven books: -

I. Dhamma Sangani - Classification of Dhammas

II. Vibhanga - The Book of Divisions

III. Kathavatthu - Points of Controversy

IV. Puggala Pannani - Description of Individuals

V. Dhatukatha- Discussion with reference to Elements

VI. Yamaka - The Book of the Pairs

VII. Patthana - The Book of Relations

All these 31 books are collectively termed the Tipiraka (Three Baskets). The First Vinaya Piraka (Basket of Discipline) mainly deals with rules and regulations, which the Buddha promulgated, as occasion arose for the future discipline of the Order of Monks (Bhikkhus) and Nuns (Bhikkhunis).

The Sutta Pitaka (Basket of Discourses) Consists chiefly of discourses delivered by the Buddha on various occasions. Some discourses delivered by the Venerable Sariputta, Moggallana, Ánanda, etc., are also included in it. The Abhidhamma Pitaka

(Basket of Ultimate Doctrine) contains the profound philosophy of the Buddha’s Teaching.

The Tipitaka was first committed in writing at Aluvihara in Sri Lanka about 80 B.C.E. in the reign of King Vacthagamani Abhaya.