The History of Buddhist Thought c28.s4.9

c28.s4.9

Another work may be mentioned here, though it is not canonical, as being the chief Pāli authority for Buddha’s life. It is the introduction to the *Jātaka*, the *Nidāna-kathā*, “discussion of the causes or occasions (of Buddha’s deeds recorded in the *Jātaka*).” It was composed in Ceylon, and the author has compiled the first part by quoting largely from the *Buddhavamsa*. The rest, from the decision to be born to the first preaching, is based on the Canon and the old Sinhalese commentaries, to which the author directly refers. The reputation of the Pāli Canon has given a quite spurious authority to the *Nidāna-kathā*. It was treated as equally canonical, but whatever the age of that Canon, the *Nidāna-kathā* cannot be earlier than the fifth century A.D. The author probably knew the *Lalita-vistara* or one of the rival works, for he protests against the story that Buddha, when he was tempted by Māra’s daughters in the guise of old women, condemned them to remain in that state.