A History of Indian Literature v2.c19.s3.t1.18

v2.c19.s3.t1.18

That Sutta of the Dīghanikāya which is the most important in every respect is No. 16, the Mahā-Parinibbāna-Sutta, "the great discourse on the perfect Nirvāṇa of (Buddha),"[^3) which differs essentially in form and contents from all the other Suttas. It is neither a dialogue nor a speech on one or more chief points of doctrine, but a continuous record of the latter part of Buddha's life, his last speeches and sayings, and his death. The oldest parts of this extensive record surely belong to the oldest part of the Tipiṭaka and to the earliest beginnings of a poetic treatment of the life of Buddha. It is remarkable that in the Pāli Canon there is no biography of the Buddha; but the beginnings of one are to be found partly