Studies in the Origins of Buddhism c8.27

c8.27

Conclusion.—A late composition out of early material.—It appears thus that we have here a case not dissimilar to that of the First Sermon. In its present form it is a late composition, but it has been compiled out of ancient material. Diverse reports about the heresies in the times of the Master and condemned by him have been reduced to a single systematic and formular shape. That the previous variant versions disappeared after this standardisation is hardly to be wondered at. In this context it is significant to note that the sutta calls itself at the end a “veyyākaraṇa”. It is a scholastic exposition, no doubt, but based on much older traditions.