Pali Literature: Language of Ancient India

The word “pali” refers to “a line” and relates to the collection of Buddhist traditional scriptures. Pali literature is mostly logical and religious in nature. The oldest and most important work of Pali literature is the Pali Canon which is an extensive collection of Buddhist texts. Texts from mythology and religion evolved throughout the years to serve as a link between humans and the gods. This duty is performed in Buddhism by the Pali school of literature. Pali literature, which primarily focused on the Theravada branch of Buddhism, gained popularity as it expanded from India to various Southeast Asian nations. Most of these works have been written and spoken in Pali, the traditional language. In this section, we will discuss Pali literature which is also a major part of the art and culture sections of various competitive exams, including the UPSC, SSC and EPFO. Continue reading to learn more!

Overview of Pali Literature

Pali literature is divided into two parts: canonical and non-canonical or extra-canonical writings. An overview of Pali literature is mentioned below:

• One canonical work of literature is the Pali Canon, referred to as the Tipitaka.
• With the exception of three books that were placed by Burmese tradition, these works are traditionally recognized by the Theravada tradition of Buddha.
• Pali literature also includes grammatical and lyrical works, medical texts, cosmologies, astrological and divination materials, and anthologies, which are collections of texts from the canonical literature.
• The majority of Pali writings are believed to have originated in Sri Lanka and then spread to other Theravada locales.
• The Milinda Panha might have originated in northern India before being translated from Sanskrit or Gandhari Prakrit.
• A number of publications that were never widely distributed in Pali are also believed to have been from Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Burma.
• Particularly in the Thai tradition, this regional Pali literature is rarely acknowledged today, with many manuscripts remaining unpublished or uncatalogued.

Also read: Who Is The Founder of Buddhism?

Types of Pali Literature

The Tripitaka, or collection of Buddhist scriptures, is the basis that explains the origins of Pali literature. The Tripitaka is a Sanskrit term that roughly translates to “three-fold basket of teachings,” reflecting the three main areas: 

• Vinaya Pitaka (The Basket of Discipline) deals with religious and royal administration. 
• Sutapitaka (The Basket of Sayings) is a collection of long discussions that are said to have been taught by Buddha to his disciples.
• Abhidhamma Pitaka (The Basket of Dharma) is a collection of multiple philosophical and psychological works.

History of Pali Literature

When discussing the background of Pali literature, it is stated that it is a genuine speech by Lord Buddha. It is very closely related to Buddhist customs and traditions. The known and founded history of Pali literature can be seen below:

• The Pali language and literature were once known as Magadhi, which literally refers to “the language of the region of Magadha in Eastern India,” which is close to the modern Indian state of Bihar. 
• Pali refers to the core of Buddhism, and the texts of Pali literature contain the core of this religion. 
• The only Buddhist school that still uses this specific language is Theravada, which is practised in Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia. 
• Pali is a very pure and refined language that was used for communication in the early years of 600–200 BC. 
• In addition to India, various nearby countries also spoke the Pali language. 
• Even though Pali is not a language that is commonly used in the modern world, it leaves behind a rich cultural legacy that includes not just India but also Sri Lanka, Thailand, and other nations. 

Use of Pali Literature in the Buddhist Canon

In Buddhism, there are a number of historical collections rather than a single fixed work of text, which is known as the “Canon.” Pali is said to be the only Buddhist canon that exists in the Indian language. Read below to learn more about them:

• The Tripitaka is the oldest and most important work in Pali literature and was formed in different councils. 
• Factual proof exists that shows that the Theravada Tipitaka was complied by the council of King Vattagamani Abaya of Sri Lanka in the first century.
• The first council came into existence after the death of Buddha.
• Mahakassapathera ruled over the council, which had more than 500 disciples, including Ananda and Upali. 
• The Buddhist lectures and religious regulations were specified through the repetition of the Buddha’s teachings. Tiptika began with this great recitation. 
• The earliest text known in Pali is the Canon of Theravada Buddhists. It is the only whole Buddhist canon that still exists in an Indian language. As a result, it can be said that it is the oldest known Buddhist manuscript in terms of language. 
• The Pali Canon, also known as the Tipitaka or Triple Basket, has been divided into three “baskets.” These consist of the Abhidhamma Pitaka, Sutta Pitaka, and Vinaya Pitaka. 

Also Read: Buddhist Art, Architecture and Literature

The Jataka Tales

The Jatakas are seen as ancient Indian folktales by most people, but Buddhists regard them as sacred texts. The Jatakas are regarded as a crucial aspect of Buddhist education. 

• They were a collection of tales based on the Buddha’s previous lives, which included both human and non-human avatars. 
• These tales highlight the benefits of preserving Buddhist principles and virtues, which result in moksha, or enlightenment. It releases the soul from the never-ending cycle of birth and death.
• The Jatakas include over 500 stories in the Sutta Pitaka and were originally written entirely in Pali. Additionally, the Jatakas were exchanged orally before being written down. 
• In the past, telling tales, stories, and riddles was the most common way to spread the beliefs of a religion. 
• The Jataka tales were especially well-liked by Buddhist teachers since they included folk and regional aspects. 

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