India
Main article: Pali Canon
The earliest and most important Pali literature constitutes the Pāli Canon, the scriptures of Theravada school. These are mainly of Indian origin, and were written down during the Fourth Buddhist Council in Sri Lanka in 29 BCE, approximately four hundred and fifty four years after the death of the Buddha.
The Pāli Canon (Tripitaka) is divided into three pitakas (from Pali piṭaka, meaning "basket"). The three pitakas are:
- Vinaya Pitaka ("Discipline Basket"), dealing with monastic rules
- Sutta Pitaka ("Sutra/Sayings Basket"), discourses, mostly ascribed to the Buddha, but some to disciples
- Abhidhamma Pitaka,("About Dhamma Basket") Various later philosophical and psychological works.
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