The History of Buddhist Thought c19.6

c19.6

The Pāli Canon has no such work, but in several commentaries biographical accounts are found. Of these the most important is the Introduction to the Jātaka, the Nidāna-kathā. Its account of Buddha’s previous existences is based on the Buddhavamsa, and the story of his last existence is taken from the commentaries and the Canon. Its special importance is that it shows a definite stage in the growth of the Buddha doctrine, as it can be compared both with what we find in other schools and with the statements in the Canon. Its chief difference from earlier accounts lies in its developed doctrine of the Bodhisatta and his ten Perfections, the ten virtues which he practises during his preparation for Buddhahood. They are mentioned only in the two latest books of the Sutta-piṭaka.