Hinduism and Buddhism: An Historical Sketch v1.c19.62

v1.c19.62

An account of the formation of the canon is given in the last two chapters of the Cullavagga². After the death of the Buddha his disciples met to decide what should be regarded as the correct doctrine and discipline. The only way to do that was to agree what had been the utterances of the master and this, in a country where the oral transmission of teaching was so well understood, amounted to laying the foundations of a canon. Kassapa cross-examined experts as to the Buddha's precepts. For the rules of discipline Upâli was the chief authority and we read how he was asked where such and such a rule—for instance, the commandment against stealing—was promulgated. “At Râjagaha, sir.” “Concerning whom was it spoken?” “Dhaniya, the potter's son.” “In regard to what matter?” “The taking of that which had not been given.”