Model Essay: Explain the nature of the Pali Canon and its authority for Buddhists

 

Examine the nature of the Pali Canon and its authority for Buddhists. [10 marks - AQA]

The Pali Canon is a central sacred texts for Theravada Buddhists, which is said to trace back to the Buddha himself. The Pali Canon was originally recorded through recitation, and the sangha (community of monks and nuna) passed it down to each generation of Buddhists orally, as paper could not survive in the climate of ancient India. The Pali Canon is recited regularly, for example the rules for monks and nuns are recited fortnightly at the Uposatha Ceremony by monastics in the sangha. Monks and nuns may dedicate their whole lives to the Pali Canon, for example by copying it out as an act of meditation. The Pali Canon is divided into 3 sections, and is known as the Tipitaka (3 baskets). This is because, when written, the scrolls of the Pali Canon were divided into three sections: the discipline section, the stories section, and the philosophy section.

The Vinaya (Discipline section) of the Pali Canon contains rules of conduct for members of the sangha – there are traditionally 227 rules for monks, and 311 rules for nuns. The Vinaya is very important as it teaches monks and nuns how they must live in order to follow the Eightfold Path. It also has rules for taking refuge in the sangha, and explains what property a monk or nun may own (a simple robe, and an alms bowl only). The Sutta Pitaka contains stories of the Buddha’s life that people can learn from, for example the stories of his renunciation and asceticism before he gained nirvana. The Abhidharma (philosophy) is the most complex section, and is likely to be only studied by monks and nuns seeking prajna (wisdom) – it discusses complex Buddhist doctrines such as anicca (impermanence), and the nature of karma and rebirth. Lay people may not read the Pali Canon themselves, but instead will go to the temple to be taught by monks and nuns about the contents.

The Pali Canon is an authority for Buddhists because it traces back to the Buddha himself, who is a role model and teacher. It also contains crucial information about how to behave morally and what doctrines one must understand to gain enlightenment (true understanding of the nature of things). However, not all Buddhists would regard it as an authority – Mahayana Buddhists accept the authority of other texts over that of the Pali Canon, such as the Lotus Sutra. This is because they believe in the bodhisattva goal as the final goal of life (becoming a future Buddha to save others) so they do not uphold the Pali Canon as a text with the most authority. There are also some debates about the accuracy of the Pali Canon that make it less of an authority – because it is very old and was transmitted orally, there may be some errors in the text that cannot be known today. Nevertheless, it is still the central authority for Theravada Buddhists who uphold the dharma (truth) of Siddhartha Gautama.