Page 98 - รวมเล่มศาสนาในประเทศไทย ภาคภาษาอังกฤษ

Dharma, the Principles and

the Practice

Back to the time when the Buddha was still alive, his teaching
was not collected and categorized in systematic order. We call the Buddha’s
teaching or the words of the Buddha “Brahmacharya” (meaning “pure
conduct”), and “Dhamma Vinaya” (meaning “discipline”).
Before the Buddha's teachings were written down, the teachings
were memorized and taught orally, in systematic way. To say, Bhikku who
was interested in disciplines shall go to learn from the school which is expert
in Vinaya Pitaka or the Disciplines. On the other hand, the Bhikku who was
interested in discourses shall go to learn from the master of Sutta Pitaka or
the Discourse. These Bhikku of different expertise were to memorize and
inherit the words of the Buddha from generation to generation, until the
reign of King Vattagamani (29-17 BCE) when the Tripitaka was committed
to writing on ola (palm) leaves.
Later on, the teaching that was inscribed in Tripitaka and
preserved in Sri Lanka has been disseminated to countries like Myanmar,
Thailand, Laos, and other countries of Theravada Buddhism. Even in India
where the Buddhism originated, the Lanka's Pali Tripitaka and Atthakatha
(explanation or commentary) have been used by Theravada Buddhism Bhikku.
Tripitaka comprises the three main categories of texts;
1. Vinaya Patika deals with rules and regulations for the monastic
community (Bhikku and Bhiksuni). Besides, it contains the life of the
Buddha in the period of attaining Enlightenment and teaching in details.
Also, the Second Buddhist Council was mentioned in this category.
2. Sutta Patika contains the Buddha's teachings on doctrine and
behavior. Collection of Buddha's preaching and the impact on the audiences.
3. Abhidhamma Patika is an exposition of all realities in detail.
It contains Paramattha Dhamma, the Dhamma of nature, which is all about
the truth in the ultimate sense -- but has nothing to relate with person, event,
or place.

Mural Painting Depicting
the Scene of Nemirat Jataka

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