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Significance of Buddhist Canon

The Buddhist Canon encompasses the collection of scriptures and teachings central to Buddhism across various schools and traditions. It includes important texts like the Tripitaka, which consists of the Vinaya Pitaka, Sutta Pitaka, and Abhidhamma Pitaka. Different Buddhist interpretations acknowledge the Canon's role in guiding practitioners on their spiritual paths, containing diverse teachings attributed to the Buddha. The Canon is essential for understanding Buddhist philosophies and practices and serves as a foundation from which the religion has developed over time.

Synonyms: Pali canon, Buddhist literature, Dharma texts

In Dutch: Boeddhistische Canon; In Finnish: Buddhalainen kaanon; In Spanish: Canon budista; In German: Buddhistischer Kanon; In Malay: Kanun Buddha; In Swedish: Buddhistisk kanon; In French: Canon bouddhiste

The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.

Buddhist concept of 'Buddhist Canon'

Buddhism Books

The Buddhist Canon encompasses a vast collection of authoritative texts, including the Tripitaka, divided into sutras, tantras, and commentaries, serving as essential guides for spiritual practice and understanding in Buddhism.

Significance in Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism):
Mahayana Books

From: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra

(1) The collection of scriptures and teachings in Buddhism that provide various perspectives on the nature of the mind and consciousness.[1]

From: Bodhisattvacharyavatara

(1) The collection of texts recognized as authoritative in Buddhism, divided into the Kangyur and Tangyur, containing sutras, tantras, and commentaries.[2]

From: Shurangama Sutra (with commentary) (English)

(1) A collection of scriptures that provide teachings and guidelines essential for spiritual cultivation and understanding in Buddhism.[3]

From: The gods of northern Buddhism

(1) Collections of sacred texts and teachings central to the understanding and practice of Buddhism in various regions.[4]

From: The 6th Patriarch Platform Sutra

(1) The collection of sacred texts in Buddhism that guide practitioners on their path to enlightenment.[5]

Mahayana is a major branch of Buddhism focusing on the path of a Bodhisattva (spiritual aspirants/ enlightened beings). Extant literature is vast and primarely composed in the Sanskrit language. There are many sutras of which some of the earliest are the various Prajnaparamita sutras.

Significance in Theravada (major branch of Buddhism):
Theravada Books

From: Dhammapada (translated from the Pali)

(1) The collection of texts that form the scripture of Buddhism, traced back to the first century before Christ when it was reduced to writing in Ceylon under King Vattagamani.[6] (2) The collection of texts that are regarded as authoritative in the Buddhist tradition.[7] (3) The entirety of sacred texts in Buddhism, often divided into different sections or categories for study and practice.[8]

From: Patthanuddesa Dipani

(1) The collection of scriptures and texts that encompass the teachings and philosophical frameworks of Buddhism.[9]

Theravada is a major branch of Buddhism having the the Pali canon (tipitaka) as their canonical literature, which includes the vinaya-pitaka (monastic rules), the sutta-pitaka (Buddhist sermons) and the abhidhamma-pitaka (philosophy and psychology).

Hindu concept of 'Buddhist Canon'

Hinduism Books

The Buddhist Canon in Hinduism is interpreted as a comprehensive collection of authoritative scriptures central to Buddhist teachings, encompassing various texts, medical knowledge, and differing practices across Buddhist schools, including pivotal works like the Tripitaka.

Significance in Ayurveda (science of life):
Ayurveda Books

From: Bhesajjakkhandhaka (Chapter on Medicine)

(1) The body of texts recognized as scripture in Buddhism, being gradually developed after the demise of the Buddha.[10] (2) Collections of texts that encompass the teachings and regulations of various Buddhist schools.[11] (3) Collections of texts that define the teachings and practices of various Buddhist schools, which may differ from one another.[12] (4) The collection of scriptures and texts important to Buddhism, consisting of the Tripitaka, which includes the Vinaya Pitaka, Sutta Pitaka, and Abhidhamma Pitaka.[13] (5) The collection of scriptures and texts central to the teachings and practices of Buddhism.[14]

Ayurveda is a branch of Indian science dealing with medicine, herbalism, taxology, anatomy, surgery, alchemy and related topics. Traditional practice of Ayurveda in ancient India dates back to at least the first millenium BC. Literature is commonly written in Sanskrit using various poetic metres.

Significance in Hinduism (general):

From: The Sarva-Darsana-Samgraha

(1) The collection of scriptures and teachings of Buddhism, including works like the Dhammapada, that reflect the principles and narratives of the faith.[15]

The concept of Buddhist Canon in local and regional sources

History Books

The Buddhist Canon encompasses key collections of teachings, notably the bKa' 'gyur and bsTan 'gyur, forming the foundational scriptures of Buddhism, significantly codified during Asoka's reign, and central to understanding Buddhist philosophy and practice.

Significance in India history and geography:

From: Triveni Journal

(1) The teachings and texts that form the foundation of Buddhism.[16] (2) The collection of scriptures and teachings associated with Buddhism, which were codified under Asoka's auspices.[17]

From: History of Science in South Asia

(1) The Sutta Pitaka of this dates back to at least the first century BCE, when the Pali Canon was first written down on Sri Lanka, but in fact reflects the early period of Buddhist doctrinal development during the second half of the first millennium BCE.[18] (2) The collection of authoritative religious texts and scriptures of Buddhism, containing the teachings, discourses, and rules of conduct attributed to the Buddha and his followers.[19]

Plural form: Buddhist canons.