Tipitaka

　　The Vinaya being the life-blood of the sasana was rehearsed first. It is composed of five books-namely,

　　I. Parajika Pali -Major Offences

　　II. Pacittiya Pali - Minor Offences

　　III. Mahavagga Pali - Greater Section

　　IV. Culavagga Pali - Smaller Section

　　V. Parivara Pali - Epitome of the Vinaya

　　The Dhamma consists of Five Nikáyas - namely,

　　I. Digha Nikáya - Collection of Long Discourses

　　II. Majjhima Nikáya - Collection of Middle-length Discourses

　　III. Samyutta Nikáya - Collection of Kindred

　　IV. Anguttara Nikáya - Collection of Discourses arranged in accordance with number

　　V. Khuddaka Nikáya - Smaller Collection

　　The fifth is subpided into fifteen books:-

　　I. Khuddaka Patha - Shorter Texts

　　II. Dhammapada - Way of Truth

　　III. Udana - Paeans of Joy

　　IV. Iti Vuttaka - "Thus said" Discourses

　　V. Sutta Nipata - Collected Discourses

　　VI. Vimana vatthu - Stories of Celestial Mansions

　　VII. Peta vatthu - Stories of Petas

　　VIII. Theragatha- Psalms of the Brethren

　　IX. Therigatha- Psalms of the Sisters

　　X. Jataka - Birth Stories

　　XI. Niddesa - Expositions

　　XII. Patisambhida-Analytical Knowledge

　　XIII. Apadana - Lives of Arahants

　　XIV. Buddhavamsa - The History of the Buddha

　　XV. Cariya Pitaka - Modes of Conduct

　　It should be noted that the introductory words in every Sutta - "Evam me sutam, thus have I heard" - were uttered by the Venerable Ánanda Thera.

　　The Abhidhamma, according to tradition, was rehearsed by all Arahants that were present at the Convocation. It consists of the following seven books: -

　　I. Dhamma Sangani - Classification of Dhammas

　　II. Vibhanga - The Book of Divisions

　　III. Kathavatthu - Points of Controversy

　　IV. Puggala Pannani - Description of Inpiduals

　　V. Dhatukatha- Discussion with reference to Elements

　　VI. Yamaka - The Book of the Pairs

　　VII. Patthana - The Book of Relations

　　All these 31 books are collectively termed the Tipiraka (Three Baskets). The First Vinaya Piraka (Basket of Discipline) mainly deals with rules and regulations, which the Buddha promulgated, as occasion arose for the future discipline of the Order of Monks (Bhikkhus) and Nuns (Bhikkhunis).

　　The Sutta Pitaka (Basket of Discourses) Consists chiefly of discourses delivered by the Buddha on various occasions. Some discourses delivered by the Venerable Sariputta, Moggallana, Ánanda, etc., are also included in it. The Abhidhamma Pitaka

　　(Basket of Ultimate Doctrine) contains the profound philosophy of the Buddha”s Teaching.

　　The Tipitaka was first committed in writing at Aluvihara in Sri Lanka about 80 B.C.E. in the reign of King Vacthagamani Abhaya.