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Significance of Tipiṭaka

Towards the question “Why word-by-word translation” or “Why the whole

Tipiṭaka must be studied?,” the answer to these questions can be found in the book

“The Pali Canon: What a Buddhist Must Know” (ibid). In the book, the significance of
Tipiṭaka is described in 3 main points as follows:

1. Tipiṭaka conserves the Triple Gem. Since Tipiṭaka is the explanation of

the Buddha Doctrine and Discipline (Dhamma-Vinaya), so having Tipiṭaka
is as having the Buddha. To comply with, the Buddha said to Venerable

Ananda before the Great Decease:

“Yo vo Ananda mayā dhammo ca vinayo ca desoti paññatto So vo

mamaccāyana satthā”

“Here it is Ananda! The Doctrine and Discipline I have set forth and laid
down for you all. This shall be, after I am gone, your Teacher.”

It is precise that Tipiṭaka is the dwelling place of the Buddha because the

Dhamma is the Buddha. Tipiṭaka contains Dhamma (Dhamma-Vinaya). Since the
monks who ordained are dependent on Tipiṭaka, so Tipiṭaka also contains Discipline

(Vinaya).

2. Tipiṭaka is the foundation of the study on the 3 components of Buddhism

learning system: Pariyatti (the Buddha Teachings that must be studied);

Paṭipatti (the practice of mode of progress named Aṭṭhiṅgika-magga (the
Noble Eightfold Path) or Sikkhā (the Threefold Learning: Sīla (morality),

Samādhi (concentration), Pañña (wisdom) and Paṭivedha (comprehension

with practice that leads to the Noble Path fruitfulness and Nibbāna (the
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Final Goal) .
3. Tipiṭaka is the principle for Buddhism Assembly. That means the 4

groups of the Buddha disciples: monks, female monks, male lays, and

female lays. Tipiṭaka is for them to learn and make understanding in

order to help maintaining Buddhism. In that case, the 4 groups of the
Buddha disciples must have virtuous quality in 3 means as follows:

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Vin. 1/M.3/A.3