The Cambridge History of India, Vol. I: Ancient India v1.c19.s9.13

v1.c19.s9.13

Thirdly, the commentators both in India and Ceylon say that the Kathā-vatthu, the latest book in the three Piṭakas, as we now have them, was composed by Mogglīputta Tissa at Asoka's court at Pāṭaliputta in N. India at the time of the Council held there in the eighteenth year of Asoka's reign. At the time when they made this entry, the commentators held the Piṭakas to be the word of the Buddha, and believed also that the *Dhamma* had been already recited at the Council held at Rājagaha after the death of the Buddha. It seems quite impossible, therefore, that they could have invented this information about Tissa. They found it in the records on which their works were based; and felt compelled to hand it on. Being evidence, as it were, against themselves, it is especially worthy of credit. And it is in accord with all that we otherwise know. Anyone at all acquainted with the history of the gradual change in Buddhist doctrine, and able to read the Kathā-vatthu, will find that it is just what we should expect for a book composed in Asoka's time. It has now been edited and translated for the Pāli Text Society; and not a single phrase or even word has been found in it referable to a later date. It quotes largely from all five Nikāyas¹.