Context:
Prime Minister participated in International Abhidhamma Divas
International Abhidhamma Day (IAD):
- Observed by – Ministry of Culture and International Buddhist Confederation (IBC).
- Commemorates Lord Buddha’s descent from the celestial realm (Tāvatimsa-devaloka), marked by the Asokan Elephant Pillar in Sankassiya (now Sankisa) in Uttar Pradesh.
- Coincides with the end of the 1st Rainy Retreat (Vassa) and the Pavāraņā festival (ceremony for conclusion of rainy retreat).
Abhidhamma:
- Meaning ‘Higher Dhamma or Further Truths’
- A collection of suttas representing the earliest compilation of Buddhist philosophy and psychology.
- Forms the 3rd part of the Tripitaka (Pali Canon), fundamental to the Theravada Buddhist tradition.
- Other two being Vinaya Pitaka (Ethical monastic rules) and Sutta Pitaka (discourses of Buddha and his principal disciples)
- Digha-Nikaya is a part of Sutta Pitaka
- Comprises 7 books exploring human experience, including consciousness, mental factors, and mindfulness.
Pali language:
- Recognized as a Classical Language alongside Marathi, Prakrit, Assamese, and Bengali.
- Variant of Prakrit
- Ancient language in which Buddhist and Jain literature is written, including the Tripitaka.
- Popularised by Theravada sect
- After Theravada Buddhism declined in India, Pali survived as a ecclesiastical language in Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia
Source: Prime Minister of India
Previous Year Question
With reference to Indian history, consider the following texts:
1. Nettipakarana
2. Parishishtaparvan
3. Avadanashataka
4. Trishashtilakshana Mahapurana
Which of the above are Jaina texts?
[UPSC Civil Service Exam – 2022 Prelims]
(a) 1,2 and 3
(b) 2 and 4 only
(c) 1,3 and 4
(d) 2,3 and 4
Answer: (b)
Explanation:
Option 1 is incorrect: The Nettipakaraa is a legendary Buddhist scripture that is occasionally included in Theravada Buddhism’s Pali Canon’s Khuddaka Nikaya.
Option 3 is incorrect: The Avadanashataka, or “Century of Noble Deeds,” is a Sanskrit collection of one hundred Buddhist stories.