The teachings of Buddha, the Tathāgata Śakyamuni containing the discourse of 84,000 Dharmaskhandha were collected and classified in nine or twelve branches. It can also embody into three Pitaka or baskets i.e., Vinayapiṭaka, Sūtrapiṭaka and Abhidharmapitaka. These three Piṭakas expound the teachings on Śila (Morality), Samādhi (Concentration) and Prajñā (Wisdom) leading to the enlightenment (Nirvaṇa). The Vinaya is a rule of celibate’s conduct, taught by the Tathāgata Buddha for the Bhikṣu, Bhikṣunī and Śrāmaṇeras; which is considered as best, prime and foundation of all the moral teachings of Buddha. Thus, to attain the enlightenment one has to engaged with concentration and wisdom but, without morality it is impossible to attained the enlightenment. Hence, the importance of morality is also expressed in the beginning. Buddha’s first discoursed was given on the four noble truths at Ṛiṣipatan Mṛgadāva, which is now-a-days known as Sarnath. In this very holy place Buddha had given the first teaching on morality to his first ever five disciples viz., how to wear robes, begging the foods and way of living of the monks before giving teaching on the Four Noble Truths.
目次
Abstract 71 Introductory Background 71 Meaning of Vinaya and its Category 73 General explanation of the four prime Vinaya Pitaka of Mūlasarvāstivāda 74 A Precise Analysis of Vinaya Rules of Mūlasarvāstivāda and Theravāda Tradition 78 The Hierarchical Succession of Vinaya in the Noble Theravāda Tradition 80 The Hierarchical Succession of Vinaya in the Noble Mulasarvastivāda Tradition 81 Conclusion 81 Bibliography 82
