The Tipiṭakapāḷi is comprised of all teachings and rules of conduct from the Buddha, expounded for forty-five years since becoming Self-Enlightened Buddha, as he has been commonly known as Gotama Buddha, to his Parinibbāna. The Tipiṭakapāḷi consists of not only Buddha’s teachings, but also the discourses delivered by his distinguished disciples, Devas, and Brahmas… that were affirmed by the Buddha, and thus are also considered Buddha’s teachings.

The Tipiṭakapāḷi is divided into three divisions called Piṭaka, literally “baskets”:
– Codes of Discipline (Vinaya Piṭaka)
– Collection of Discourses (Sutta Piṭaka)
– Analytic/Higher Teachings (Abhidhamma Piṭaka)

1- Codes of Discipline (Vinaya Piṭaka)

The Vināya Piṭaka consists of five collections of guidance from the Buddha. The Buddha established the rules of conduct for monks (bhikkhu) and nuns (bhikkhunī), Sangha activities, what are permitted and what are not permitted, what should be done and what should not be done, etc.

2- Collection of Discourses (Sutta Piṭaka)

The Sutta Piṭaka is a collection of all the discourses and verses delivered by the Buddha, and a few discourses and verses from Arahants, Devas, Brahmas, Kings, Monks, Brahmins. Those discourses and verses were repeated and reaffirmed by the Buddha and are thus considered Buddha’s teachings.

3- Analytic/Higher Teachings (Abhidhamma Piṭaka)

The Abhidhamma Piṭaka comprises of paramattha-dhammas, the ultimate realities in their grandeur, subtlety, and profundity. They are dhammas with ultimate truths such as: kusaladhamma or wholesome, akusaladhamma or unwholesome, and abyākatadhamma or neither-wholesome-nor-unwholesome.

These dhammas are divided into five aggregates (khandhā), twelve sense bases (ayatanā), eighteen elements (dhātu),… mind (cittā), mental factors (cetasikā), form (rūpā), and Nibbāna, and belong to ultimate realities; they are non-self, not human, not man, not woman, non beings,… they are only absolute realities.

Most Venerable Dhammarakkhita Hộ Pháp