A History of Indian Literature v2.c19.s1.56

v2.c19.s1.56

Thus, as regards language and contents, our Pāli Tipiṭaka, though closely approaching the canon compiled under Aśoka, is yet not identical with it. For we must admit that, in the period from the third to the first century before Christ, when the writing-down took place, and occasionally even still later, the texts suffered many a change, that especially much was added, and that in many cases commentaries penetrated into the texts and became mixed with them. Thus the collections as well as the separate texts contained in them, must have increased in extent. The centuries have surely not passed them by without leaving traces. This accounts, too, for the numerous contradictions within the Canon,¹ the many instances of juxtaposition of early and late traditions, and the frequent occurrence of the same texts in different collections.²