Key Texts of Buddhism

This episode was so much fun to record. We introduce and discuss the key texts of the Buddhist canon. What they are, how they were organized, and how to read them.

(2:00) - How the teachings were passed down
(4:20) - Tripitaka (Pali Canon)
(6:45) - Pali vs Sanskrit
(8:55) - Nikayas in Sutta Pitaka
(11:00) -  Format of the discourses
(11:55) - Vinaya Pitaka and the code of conduct for monks
(14:55) - When/How the teachings were written down
(15:45) - The effect of writing down the teachings, Chinese, Mahayana variations
(19:10) - Similarities to Pre-Socratic dialogues
(20:15) - Resources for reading the cannon and tips on how to read it


Resources:
https://suttacentral.net/
https://www.accesstoinsight.org/
In the Buddha's Words (The Teachings of the Buddha)-  Book by Bhikkhu Bodhi