A Handbook of Pali Literature

The Handbook deals with the whole of the literature in Pali, the liturgical language of Theravada Buddhism, which is still alive in Ceylon and South-East Asia. In addition to reviewing the canonical texts (Tipitaka) which forms the oldest body of extant Buddhist literature, and their commentaries, the Handbook presents the later Pali literature, written after the 12th century, much of which is only available in Oriental prints. The account not only summarizes the findings of earlier research, but extends the scope of a handbook by demonstrating new methodological approaches to the canonical literature, for example by showing how the strict formal structure of the Sutra texts is determined in part by their oral transmission. Questions of the authorship of the commentaries on the canon (post-5th century AD) are revisited and the chronology of the texts critically examined. By comparing parallel commentaries, insights are gained into the structure of this comprehensive structure. Access to the Handbook is provided by a number of indexes.