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The Tripitakas Facts & Worksheets

The term "Tipiṭaka" or "Tripiṭaka," meaning "Triple Basket," refers to the ancient collections of Buddhist sacred scriptures. These collections collectively consist of three main categories of texts known as the Sutra Piṭaka, the Vinaya Piṭaka, and the Abhidhamma Piṭaka.

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The term “Tipiṭaka” or “Tripiṭaka,” meaning “Triple Basket,” refers to the ancient collections of Buddhist sacred scriptures. These collections collectively consist of three main categories of texts known as the Sutra Piṭaka, the Vinaya Piṭaka, and the Abhidhamma Piṭaka. Different Buddhist traditions maintain their own versions of the Tripiṭaka, such as the Pāli Canon in Southeast Asia, the Chinese Buddhist Canon in East Asia, and the Tibetan Buddhist Canon. 

See the fact file below for more information about The Tripitakas , or you can download our 30-page The Tripitakas worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

ETYMOLOGY

  • The term “Tipiṭaka” or “Tripiṭaka” means “Three Baskets” in Pāli and Sanskrit, referring to the receptacles of palm-leaf manuscripts containing Buddhist scriptures. 
  • These manuscripts preserve the collections of texts known as the Suttas (doctrinal teachings), the Vinaya (monastic code), and the Abhidhamma (philosophical and doctrinal analysis). 
  • The Suttas were originally delivered orally by the historical Buddha and later transcribed into written form.
  • The Vinaya Piṭaka developed gradually as a commentary on the monastic code, reflecting the transition from a community of wandering mendicants to a more settled monastic lifestyle. 
  • It focuses on rules and regulations governing monastic life, covering aspects such as dress code, dietary rules, and personal conduct.
  • While these collections vary across different schools, the term Tripiṭaka commonly refers to their respective sets of scriptures, even though their divisions may not precisely align with the traditional three piṭakas.

EARLIER TRIPITAKAS

  • Mahāsāṃghika: This school had its own Tripiṭaka, which included the Vinaya translated into Chinese in 416 CE. 
  • The school split into groups regarding the incorporation of Mahāyāna sūtras into their canon, with some accepting them as buddhavacana.
  • Caitika: Sub-sects like the Pūrvaśailas and Aparaśailas within this school chanted Mahāyāna sūtras. Bhāvaviveka mentioned a Vidyādhāra Piṭaka used by the Siddhārthikas, and both Pūrvaśailas and Aparaśailas utilized a Bodhisattva Piṭaka, suggesting the inclusion of Mahāyāna texts.
  • Bahuśrutīya: This school included a Bodhisattva Piṭaka in their canon and produced the Satyasiddhi Śāstra, an extant Abhidharma text blending Hīnayāna and Mahāyāna doctrines.
  • Prajñaptivāda: This school held a view that Buddha’s teachings were nominal and conventional, akin to Mahāyāna teachings.
  • Sārvāstivāda: A nearly complete collection of sūtras from this school has been discovered in Afghanistan, along with translations of the Vinaya and the Abhidharma Piṭaka.
  • Mūlasārvāstivāda: Portions of their Tripiṭaka survive in Tibetan and Nepalese manuscripts, including vinaya texts.
  • Dharmaguptaka: This school had a complete version of the Dīrgha Āgama translated into Chinese, and its Vinaya is also extant in Chinese translation. It is said to have contained five piṭakas, including a Bodhisattva and Mantra Piṭaka.
  • Mahīśāsaka: Their Vinaya is preserved in Chinese translation.
  • Kāśyapīya: Small portions of their Tripiṭaka survive in Chinese translation, including an incomplete version of the Saṃyukta Āgama.

PĀLI CANON

  • The Pāli Canon, maintained by the Theravāda tradition, constitutes the complete Tripiṭaka set, written and preserved in Pāli. 
  • Its origins date back to the 3rd century BCE, with its structure and contents taking shape during that period. 
  • However, it wasn’t until the 1st century BCE, around 500 years after the Buddha’s lifetime, that the Canon was finally put into written form. 
  • According to Theravada chronicles, the Canon was transcribed during the reign of Valagamba of Anuradhapura (29–17 BCE) due to the threat of famine and war.
  • Over 1,000 monks who had attained Arahantship were involved in this monumental task, which took place in Aluvihare, Matale, Sri Lanka.
  • The Pāli Canon consists of three parts or “baskets” of teachings: the Vinaya Pitaka (Basket of Discipline), the Sutta Pitaka (Basket of Discourse), and the Abhidhamma Pitaka (Basket of Special or Further Doctrine).
  • The teachings encompass a broad spectrum of topics, including ethical behavior, intellectual discussions, and in-depth investigation of doctrines. Although a significant portion of the Canon is written in Pāli, other writings are available in Sanskrit and various indigenous Asian languages.
  • Notably, the Pāli Canon does not include Mahayana Sutras and Tantras, as the Mahayana tradition did not have as significant an influence on Theravada Buddhism as it did in East Asia and Tibet. Therefore, there are no major Mahayana schools within the Theravada tradition. However, some Tantric schools within Theravada utilize Tantric texts independently rather than as part of the Canon.
  • Some well-known preserved versions of the Pāli Canon include the Chattha Sangayana Tipitaka, Buddha Jayanthi Tripitaka, and the Thai Tipitaka. 
  • These versions ensure the continued availability and accessibility of the teachings for practitioners and scholars within the Theravada tradition.

CHINESE BUDDHIST CANON

  • The Chinese Buddhist Canon, maintained by the East Asian Buddhist tradition, consists of the Tripiṭaka set written and preserved in Chinese. While the precise arrival of the earliest written Buddhist texts in China from India remains uncertain, evidence suggests it may have occurred as early as the 1st century BCE.
  • However, it wasn’t until the 6th century CE that an organized collection of Buddhist texts began to take shape based on early bibliographies. The definitive structure of the Canon was established with the ‘Kaiyuan Era Catalogue’ compiled by Zhisheng in 730. 
  • Zhisheng catalog introduced a six-fold division, including sutra, vinaya, and Abhidharma belonging to Mahāyāna, Pratyekabuddha Yana, and Sravakayana. 
  • This structure proved crucial for reconstructing the Canon after the persecutions of 845 CE and was considered a comprehensive synthesis of four centuries of development in the Chinese form of the Canon.
  • Some well-known preserved Chinese Canons include the Taisho Tripitaka and the Tripitaka Koreana, among others. These collections ensure the accessibility and preservation of Buddhist teachings within the East Asian tradition.

TIBETAN BUDDHIST CANON

  • The Tibetan Buddhist canon comprises a collection of sacred texts revered by various sects within Tibetan Buddhism. 
  • Alongside sutrayana texts, it also encompasses tantric texts. The canon underwent its final compilation in the 14th century under the guidance of Butön Rinchen Drub.
  • Organized into two broad categories, the Tibetan Canon follows its own distinctive scheme:
  • – The Kangyur, also known as “Translated Words or Vacana,” comprises works believed to have been directly spoken by the Buddha himself. While it is presumed that all texts originated in Sanskrit, many were translated into Tibetan from Chinese, Pāli, or other languages.
  • – The Tengyur, or “Translated Treatises or Shastras,” contains commentaries, treatises, and Abhidharma works, encompassing both Mahayana and non-Mahayana texts.
  • This section comprises 3,626 texts spread across 224 volumes.
  • Well-known Tibetan Canons include the Dege, Jiang, and Lhasa collections, among others, which play a vital role in preserving and transmitting Buddhist teachings within Tibetan Buddhist tradition.
  • In Theravada countries, the harsh climate poses challenges for preserving manuscripts, resulting in limited surviving texts. The oldest known manuscripts date back to the late 15th century, with scarce evidence from before the 18th century.
  • The initial comprehensive printed edition of the Canon was released in Burma in 1900, encompassing 38 volumes. Subsequent editions of the Pāli text are available in the West:

– The Pāli Text Society edition, from 1877 to 1927 (with some volumes replaced by newer editions), consists of 57 volumes, including indexes. Individual volumes can also be obtained separately.

– The Thai edition, published from 1925 to 1928 in 45 volumes, offers greater accuracy than the PTS edition but includes fewer variant readings. It is available electronically through various means, including CD-ROM and online platforms.

– The Sixth Council edition, compiled in Rangoon from 1954 to 1956 and includes 40 volumes, is more precise than the Thai edition but contains fewer variant readings. It is accessible online through a searchable database provided by the Vipassana Research Institute.

– The Sinhalese (Buddha Jayanti) edition, published from 1957 to the early 1990s, spans 58 volumes and includes parallel Sinhalese translations.

  • No single edition contains all the most accurate readings, necessitating scholars to cross-reference different editions for comprehensive analysis.

The Tripitakas Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about The Tripitakas across 30 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about The Tripitakas. Different Buddhist traditions maintain their own versions of the Tripiṭaka, such as the Pāli Canon in Southeast Asia, the Chinese Buddhist Canon in East Asia, and the Tibetan Buddhist Canon. 

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

  1. The Tripitaka Facts
  2. What’s the Significance?
  3. Test Your Vocabulary
  4. Teaching the Tripitaka
  5. The Wheel
  6. Video Watching 
  7. Dilemma in Action
  8. That One Verse
  9. Paste the Idea
  10. My Mandala Design
  11. Video Presentation 

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the Tripitakas?

The Tripitakas, also known as the “Three Baskets,” are the foundational texts of Theravada Buddhism. They comprise three collections: the Vinaya Pitaka (monastic rules), the Sutta Pitaka (discourses), and the Abhidhamma Pitaka (philosophical and psychological analysis).

How were the Tripitakas preserved historically?

The Tripitakas were originally transmitted orally by Buddhist monks and nuns in ancient India. Later, they were written down on palm leaves and other materials. The texts were meticulously preserved and passed down through generations within monastic communities.

What languages were the Tripitakas originally written in?

The Tripitakas were initially recorded in Pali, an ancient Indian language closely related to Sanskrit. Pali was the language spoken by the Buddha and was chosen as the medium for preserving his teachings.

What is the significance of the Tripitakas in Buddhism?

The Tripitakas are highly revered in Buddhism as they contain the recorded teachings of the Buddha. They serve as the primary source of guidance for Buddhist practitioners, offering insight into the path to enlightenment, ethical conduct, and the nature of reality.

How do the Tripitakas differ among Buddhist traditions?

While the Tripitakas form the foundational texts of Theravada Buddhism, other Buddhist traditions such as Mahayana and Vajrayana have their own canonical scriptures. These texts may contain additional teachings attributed to the Buddha or interpretations of his teachings, reflecting the diversity within Buddhist thought and practice.

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Use With Any Curriculum

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