Dr. R.  Banerjee (Chinese and Central Asian Scholar)

Dr. R.  Banerjee

KHUDDAKAPATHA

  R. Banerjee

 

KHUDDAKAPATHA (Pali) is the first text of the Khuddakanikaya. The word 'khuddakapatha' means minor sayings. This text comprises nine short 'suttas' such as: Tisarana, Dvattimsakara, Ten Commandments (dasa vatthuni) Kuemara-panha, Mangala sutta, Ratana sutta, Tisokuddas sutta, Nidhikanda sutta and Metta sutta. 

According to the commentary, the book derives its name from the first four suttas which are very short and called 'pathas'. Three of the suttas occur also in the Suttanipata, one of the well-known texts of the Khuddakanikaya.

Of the nine suttas the first one deals with the Buddhist confession of faith, the second is the enumeration of the ten commandments for monks, the third contains the list of the 32 parts of the body and its loathsomeness and its perishableness and the fourth sutta deals with the question of the novice and explains the most important Buddhist terms. Of the remaining five suttas the 'Mangala sutta' (No. 5) is the most important. 'Mangalas'. (i.e. pious deeds and their auspicious results) are associated with the daily life of the Indian people since the ancient times.

The 'Mangala sutta' contains Buddha's instructions on auspicious and beneficial things like the honouring of the parents, the maintenance of children and wife, the following of peaceful occupation, giving of alms and of leading a righteous life, the maintenance of the kith and kin, doing blameless and virtuous deeds, abstinence from sins and intoxicating drinks and the observance of religion. According to B.C. Law the Mahamangala jataka (Fausboll's Jataka, Vol. IV) may be taken to represent the Hindu background of the Buddhist 'Mangala sutta'. The other suttas are also inspired by higher codes of ethics. The 'Ratana sutta' (No.6) is one of the finest lyrics in the early Pali poetry composed as a beautiful hymn in praise of the Buddhist composed as a beautiful hymn in praise of the Buddhist Triad. It is recited to ward off the dangers and to ensure prosperity.

The 'Tirokudda sutta' (No.7) of the Khuddakapatha occupies a special position both in Sri Lanka and Thailand becuase of tis peculiar contents and magical character. It deals with the departed souls. Some of its verses or hymns are recited even now in Sri Lanka and Thailand at the time of the cremation of the deal bodies.

The eighth sutta of this text, called the 'Nidhikanda sutta', emphasizes that good deeds constitute the highest treasure.

The last but very significant sutta of the Khuddakapatha is the 'Metta sutta' (explaining Buddha's higher regard and concern for universal friendliness, 'metta' or 'maitri', which constitutes a very significant factor in Buddha's attitude towards life and his life-long effort both in words and deeds to preach amity among all.

 

BIBLIOGRAPHY

B.B. Law, History of Pali Literature, Vol.1 (Calcutta, 1933); 

Maurice Winternitz, History of Indian Literature, Second edition (Delhi, 1977); 

Wilhelm Geiger, Pali Language  and Literature, Reprint (Delhi, 1978).

 

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