Religions

Choose the Correct Answer

Correct Answer : Option b

Explanation
Canonical Texts: Texts that are officially recognized as part of Buddhist scripture, forming the religious core. They are considered sacred and authoritative in their respective traditions.
Tripitaka (Pali Canon) in Theravāda Buddhism:
● Vinaya Pitaka (Monastic rules)
● Sutta Pitaka (Teachings of the Buddha)
● Abhidhamma Pitaka (Philosophical analysis)
Non-Canonical Texts: Texts that are not part of the official scripture but provide interpretations, expansions, or stories related to Buddhism. They are respected but are not part of the official doctrinal texts.
● Jataka Tales (Stories of Buddha's past lives)
● Milinda Panha (Dialogue of King Menander and Nagasena)
● Mahāyāna Sutras (Lotus Sutra, Avatamsaka Sutra, Heart Sutra)
● Commentaries and Chronicles like Dipavamsa, Mahavamsa

Statement 1 is correct : The Tripitaka (Three Baskets) Vinaya Pitaka, Sutta Pitaka, and Abhidhamma Pitaka is the canonical text of Theravāda Buddhism and is written in Pali.

Statement 2 is not correct: The Jataka tales, which narrate previous births of Buddha, are actually part of the Sutta Pitaka, not the Vinaya Pitaka.

Statement 3 is correct: Non-canonical texts include works like the Jataka Tales, Milinda Panha, and Mahāyāna Sutras. These are used for historical accounts, storytelling, and interpretations of Buddhist teachings.
Example: Milinda Panha (Questions of King Milinda) is a non-canonical Buddhist text, as it was composed much later and is not part of the Pali Tripitaka. It records a dialogue between Indo-Greek King Menander (Milinda) and Buddhist monk Nagasena.