Prescribed Texts: Pali Literature (PLG 1101) Funded by Faculty of Arts, University of Colombo

Abstract

The modern world encounters many challenges related to political, economic, environmental and social issues. One valuable doctrine which enables human beings to face these challenges is Buddhism, which is articulated in the Buddha’s words and those of his disciples. These words are recorded in the canonical literature available in Pāli, Sanskrit, Prākrit, Tibetan and Chinese languages. The canon available in Pāli stands out in its completeness and coherence. Therefore, an idea of the history of Pāli canonical literature is useful as an aid to understand the structure of the canon and to evaluate its historical development.