A History of Indian Literature v2.c19.s3.t1.1

v2.c19.s3.t1.1

Just as the Vinayapiṭaka is our best source for the Saṅgha, *i.e.*, the regulations of the ancient Buddhist order and the life of the monks, so the Suttapiṭaka is our most reliable source for the Dhamma, *i.e.*, the religion of Buddha and his earliest disciples. In the Suttapiṭaka, in the prose of the dialogues and narratives, as well as in sayings and songs, we also find—and this is our primary concern here—the greatest literary works which Buddhism has produced.