A History of Indian Literature v2.c19.s3.t1.131

v2.c19.s3.t1.131

The literary merits also which are common to the Suttas of all the collections show that all the four collections are compiled from essentially the same elements. In all of them we find dialogues, in which the Buddha, when he carries on a discussion with an opponent, whether it be a Brahman or an adherent of another sect, does so in the same refined, skilful and ever polite and amiable manner. He first apparently puts himself entirely in the place of his opponent, sets out from the same points of view as he does, makes use of the same expressions, often also the same technical terms and, imperceptibly, leads his opponent over to the opposite standpoint. We may assume, with *Rhys Davids*,¹ that the writers of such dialogues must still have had a certain recollection of the kind of conversations which Buddha actually carried on. They give us at least as good an idea of the teaching method of Buddha as the Platonic dialogues of that of Socrates.