AO2 Plans
Buddhism Theme 1
1. The relative importance of the Pali Canon in Buddhism.
1.1. The Pali Canon has a wider use in Buddhism than Theravada, being drawn upon by Mahayana.
schools.
1.2. It is a holistic text, comprised of practical advice, accessible stories and more specialised
philosophy, so it is a very useful and significant text.
1.3. The Abidhamma is not accessible outside of the highly educated monastic sangha and as such
does not have as much importance in wider Buddhism.
1.4. The Dhammapada is one of the most well known Buddhist texts, so popular in fact that quotes
often pop up on social media etc. and many lay Buddhists have a copy in their homes. It is
important for Western Converts then as well as heritage Buddhists.
1.5. Many ideas in the Abidhamma Pitaka are developed by Mahayana texts, which suggests that they
provide a basis for a simpler understanding. This demonstrates the continuing importance of the
Pali Canon as a source for other schools.
1.6. Less significance is given to the Pali Canon than to the Mahayana Sutras by schools such as Pure
Land and Nichiren Buddhism. Zen Buddhists do not even use texts, believing that enlightenment
is attained through a sudden realisation rather than an appeal to scripture.
1.7. The Vinaya is practical and its rules are ‘all grounded on the realities of life’ (Clarke and
Thompson), so while it has more authority within the monastic order, and may be slightly
outdated, it is still something which can hold meaning for the laity. It carries a normative force
for the Theravada Sangha, directing an individual in daily life.
1.8. Rules of the Vinaya have had to be developed in order to fit with modern day life, for instance,
Bhikkhus may have to request specific amount of money since alms do not suffice. It could be
argued that the more progressive nature of Mahayana Buddhism in line with Upaya is a more
important view.
1.9. The Sutta Pitaka is very important because it is seen as the Buddha Vacana, the word of the
Buddha himself, and as such it provides a very direct connection for Buddhists to their guide in
an accessible way.
1.10.The Buddha is unlikely to have actually spoken Pali himself, and it would have been impossible
for all of his teachings over his 45 year career to have been recorded, however an edited version
does not necessarily diminish the importance of the Tripitaka.
2. The significance of the Vinaya for the sangha.
2.1. The Vinaya’s significance can be seen in that it is regarded as the oldest part of the Tripitaka with
the Buddha himself establishing rules for the Sangha. However, the debate and confusion
regarding the Buddhist Councils could cause some to doubt the true significance of the Vinaya
2.2. The Patimokkha are recited by the monastic Sangha of Theravada every two weeks, and some
Bhikkhus memories it. Buddhism has survived in part as a result of this dedication shown by the
monastic sangha to observance of the Vinaya Pitaka.
2.3. The Lay Sangha do not need to fulfil the Vinaya for their own needs. The Sutta Pitaka is arguably
more significant for the Laity than the Vinaya.
2.4. Mahayana developments valued the details of the Vinaya less, for instance there are schools in
which Monks and Nuns are allowed to marry, and in the Burmese Sangha, Bhikkhus are expected
to follow the 311 rules in order to foster a greater sense of gender equality.
2.5. The Vinaya carries a normative force for the Theravada Sangha and is a source of wisdom which
is essential for spiritual success. The various prohibitions can be seen as positive keys to breaking
free of Dukkha, Anicca and Annatta. Further, the Vinaya can have indirect significance for the
lay Sangha as it Bhikkhus become good role models for the community when they follow the
Patimokka.
2.6. Rules of the Vinaya have had to be developed in order to fit with modern day life, for instance,
Bhikkhus may have to request specific amount of money since alms do not suffice. It could be
argued that the more progressive nature of Mahayana Buddhism in line with Upaya is a more
important view.
2.7. The Vinaya provides guidance on how to follow the Arhat path and reach enlightenment, which
is arguably the ultimate goal for all Buddhists and is thus of utmost importance.
3. The teachings in Mahayana Sutras as representative of reality.
Buddhism Theme 1
1. The relative importance of the Pali Canon in Buddhism.
1.1. The Pali Canon has a wider use in Buddhism than Theravada, being drawn upon by Mahayana.
schools.
1.2. It is a holistic text, comprised of practical advice, accessible stories and more specialised
philosophy, so it is a very useful and significant text.
1.3. The Abidhamma is not accessible outside of the highly educated monastic sangha and as such
does not have as much importance in wider Buddhism.
1.4. The Dhammapada is one of the most well known Buddhist texts, so popular in fact that quotes
often pop up on social media etc. and many lay Buddhists have a copy in their homes. It is
important for Western Converts then as well as heritage Buddhists.
1.5. Many ideas in the Abidhamma Pitaka are developed by Mahayana texts, which suggests that they
provide a basis for a simpler understanding. This demonstrates the continuing importance of the
Pali Canon as a source for other schools.
1.6. Less significance is given to the Pali Canon than to the Mahayana Sutras by schools such as Pure
Land and Nichiren Buddhism. Zen Buddhists do not even use texts, believing that enlightenment
is attained through a sudden realisation rather than an appeal to scripture.
1.7. The Vinaya is practical and its rules are ‘all grounded on the realities of life’ (Clarke and
Thompson), so while it has more authority within the monastic order, and may be slightly
outdated, it is still something which can hold meaning for the laity. It carries a normative force
for the Theravada Sangha, directing an individual in daily life.
1.8. Rules of the Vinaya have had to be developed in order to fit with modern day life, for instance,
Bhikkhus may have to request specific amount of money since alms do not suffice. It could be
argued that the more progressive nature of Mahayana Buddhism in line with Upaya is a more
important view.
1.9. The Sutta Pitaka is very important because it is seen as the Buddha Vacana, the word of the
Buddha himself, and as such it provides a very direct connection for Buddhists to their guide in
an accessible way.
1.10.The Buddha is unlikely to have actually spoken Pali himself, and it would have been impossible
for all of his teachings over his 45 year career to have been recorded, however an edited version
does not necessarily diminish the importance of the Tripitaka.
2. The significance of the Vinaya for the sangha.
2.1. The Vinaya’s significance can be seen in that it is regarded as the oldest part of the Tripitaka with
the Buddha himself establishing rules for the Sangha. However, the debate and confusion
regarding the Buddhist Councils could cause some to doubt the true significance of the Vinaya
2.2. The Patimokkha are recited by the monastic Sangha of Theravada every two weeks, and some
Bhikkhus memories it. Buddhism has survived in part as a result of this dedication shown by the
monastic sangha to observance of the Vinaya Pitaka.
2.3. The Lay Sangha do not need to fulfil the Vinaya for their own needs. The Sutta Pitaka is arguably
more significant for the Laity than the Vinaya.
2.4. Mahayana developments valued the details of the Vinaya less, for instance there are schools in
which Monks and Nuns are allowed to marry, and in the Burmese Sangha, Bhikkhus are expected
to follow the 311 rules in order to foster a greater sense of gender equality.
2.5. The Vinaya carries a normative force for the Theravada Sangha and is a source of wisdom which
is essential for spiritual success. The various prohibitions can be seen as positive keys to breaking
free of Dukkha, Anicca and Annatta. Further, the Vinaya can have indirect significance for the
lay Sangha as it Bhikkhus become good role models for the community when they follow the
Patimokka.
2.6. Rules of the Vinaya have had to be developed in order to fit with modern day life, for instance,
Bhikkhus may have to request specific amount of money since alms do not suffice. It could be
argued that the more progressive nature of Mahayana Buddhism in line with Upaya is a more
important view.
2.7. The Vinaya provides guidance on how to follow the Arhat path and reach enlightenment, which
is arguably the ultimate goal for all Buddhists and is thus of utmost importance.
3. The teachings in Mahayana Sutras as representative of reality.
