Pali Sahitya Ka Itihas - Book Summary

This is a comprehensive summary of the book "Pali Sahitya ka Itihas" (History of Pali Literature) by Bharatsinh Upadhyaya, based on the provided pages:

Book Title: Pali Sahitya ka Itihas (History of Pali Literature) Author: Bharatsinh Upadhyaya Publisher: Hindi Sahitya Sammelan Prayag

Overall Scope and Significance: The book is a historical and analytical study of Pali literature, aiming to make the ancient and foundational literature of Theravada Buddhism accessible to the Hindi-speaking public. It highlights the immense value of Pali literature for understanding ancient Indian social life, religious thought, and historical periods, particularly the centuries before and after the Common Era. The author emphasizes that without Pali literature, much of India's history from that era would be lost. The book also positions Pali studies as essential for a deeper understanding of both Buddhist and Brahmanical philosophical traditions, alongside Sanskrit studies for Hindi literature's development.

Key Themes and Content:

The Pali Language:
- "Pali" Word Meaning: The term "Pali" as a language name is relatively new, dating back to the 13th-14th century CE. Earlier usage by scholars like Buddhaghosa (4th-5th century CE) referred to the "Buddha-vacana" (Buddha's word) or the "canonical text."
- Origin and Theories: The text delves into various theories about the origin of the Pali language, discussing its relationship with Vedic, Sanskrit, and various Prakrit languages (Ardhamagadhi, Sauraseni, Paishachi).
- Key Theories on "Pali":
  - Pariyaya/Paliaya: Derived from "pariyaya" (meaning discourse or exposition), evolving through "paliyaaya" to "pali." This theory is supported by the Ashokian inscription's use of "paliayayni."
  - Patha: Derived from the Sanskrit word "patha" (meaning text or recitation), possibly altered to "pali" within the Buddhist Sangha. This theory notes the parallel evolution of words like "samhita" to "samhiti" and "pravacana" to "pavracana."
  - Pali (Line/Row): Connected to the Sanskrit word "pali" (meaning line or row), as indicated in the Abhidhanappadipika lexicon, which also links it to "Buddhavacana."
- Max Welezer's Theory: The theory that "Pali" is a derivative of "Pataliputra's language" is discussed and largely dismissed due to a lack of historical evidence in Pali literature.
- Pali vs. Magadhi: A significant discussion revolves around whether Pali is identical to Magadhi (the language of Magadha). While many traditions and scholars (including Buddhaghosa and Geiger) support this, the book notes that the Magadhi described by later Prakrit grammarians (with specific sound changes like 'r' to 'l' and 's' to 'ś') differs from Pali. The author suggests Pali is a linguistic blend, with Magadhi as a prominent influence due to Buddha's ministry in that region.
- Historical Stages of Pali: The language's development is traced through stages, including its connection to Ashoka's inscriptions (5th century BCE - 1st century CE), Prakrit languages (1st-5th century CE), and Apabhramsa languages (500-1000 CE).
- Pali's Place in Indian Languages: Pali is understood as a development from the diverse Vedic language, contemporary with the development of Sanskrit. While Sanskrit standardized the Vedic language, Pali represented the evolving vernacular tongues of regions like Magadha and Kosala.
Pali Literature:
- Origin and Development: The literature originates from the teachings of Gautama Buddha and their oral transmission and compilation by his disciples.
- Categorization: Pali literature is broadly divided into two main categories:
  - Pali or Pitaka Literature: The canonical texts (Tipitaka) – Sutta Pitaka, Vinaya Pitaka, and Abhidhamma Pitaka.
  - Anupali or Anupitaka Literature: Post-canonical literature, including commentaries (Atthakatha), historical chronicles (Vamsa), and other works.
- The Tripitaka (Three Baskets):
  - Sutta Pitaka: Contains discourses of the Buddha and his chief disciples. It's further divided into five Nikayas: Digha Nikaya (long discourses), Majjhima Nikaya (medium discourses), Samyutta Nikaya (connected discourses), Anguttara Nikaya (numerical discourses), and Khuddaka Nikaya (minor texts, a collection of various genres). The book provides detailed lists of the suttas within each Nikaya.
  - Vinaya Pitaka: The code of conduct for the monastic community, divided into Vibhanga (classification of rules), Khandhaka (chapters on monastic life and discipline), and Parivara (an appendix).
  - Abhidhamma Pitaka: The philosophical and psychological treatise of Buddhism, containing seven books: Dhammasangani, Vibhanga, Dhatukatha, Puggalapannatti, Kathavatthu, Yamaka, and Patthana.
- Anupitaka Literature: This category covers works composed after the compilation of the Tipitaka, including:
  - Pre-Buddhaghosa Era (100 BCE - 400 CE): Works like Nettipakarana, Peṭakopadesa, Milindapañha, and Dipavamsa.
  - Buddhaghosa Era (400 CE - 1100 CE): The golden age of Atthakatha literature, with major commentaries by Buddhaghosa, Buddhadeva, and Dhammapala. This era also saw the composition of Mahavamsa. Works like Dhammasangani and Atthasalini (commentaries on Abhidhamma) are also noted.
  - Post-Buddhaghosa Era (1100 CE - Present): This includes further commentaries (Tika), works by Sri Lankan and Burmese scholars, and later compositions.
- Vamsa Literature: Chronicles like Dipavamsa and Mahavamsa are discussed for their historical and cultural significance.
- Other Literary Forms: Poetry, grammar, lexicons, inscription literature, and commentary literature (Atthakatha) are also covered.
Historical Context and Chronology:
- First Council: The text mentions the First Buddhist Council held shortly after the Buddha's parinirvana (around 4th month) to compile the Dhamma and Vinaya, involving 500 Arahants led by Mahakassapa.
- Second Council: Held in Vaishali about 100 years after the Buddha's parinirvana, primarily to resolve disciplinary disputes (like the "ten points").
- Third Council: Convened by Emperor Ashoka in Pataliputra around 236 years after the Buddha's parinirvana, under the presidency of Moggaliputta Tissa, leading to the final compilation and canonization of the Tripitaka and the composition of Kathavatthu. This council also initiated missionary activities.
- Dating of Texts: The book discusses the dating of various Pali texts, acknowledging that while the Tripitaka was finalized by the 1st century BCE, the precise chronological order of individual suttas and parts of the canon is a complex subject, with scholars like Rahul Sankrityayan and D.C. Lah having proposed different timelines.
Author's Contribution:
- Filling a Gap: The author, Bharatsinh Upadhyaya, is credited with writing the first comprehensive "History of Pali Literature" in Hindi.
- Rigorous Research: The book is the result of four years of diligent study and penance.
- Accessibility: It aims to make the ancient literature accessible to the Hindi public, bridging a significant gap in Hindi scholarship.
- Impact on Scholars: The book is expected to be a valuable resource for students and teachers of Pali literature and for general readers interested in philosophy and literature.
Pali Grammar and Phonetics:
- The text includes a detailed chapter on the phonetic system of Pali, comparing it with Vedic and Sanskrit sounds. It discusses vowel and consonant changes, sound shifts (like retroflex consonants becoming 'l'), assimilation, and the influence of regional dialects.

Key Figures Mentioned:

Bharatsinh Upadhyaya: The author.
Buddha: The central figure whose teachings form the basis of Pali literature.
Buddha's Disciples: Ananda, Upali, Moggaliputta Tissa, Mahakassapa, Sariputta, Maudgalyayana, Aniruddha, and many others are mentioned for their roles in preserving and transmitting the teachings.
Commentators: Buddhaghosa, Buddhadeva, and Dhammapala are highlighted as major figures in the post-canonical literature.
Scholars (Western and Indian): Rhys Davids, Childers, Windisch, Winternitz, Geiger, Oldenberg, E. Müller, V.G. Apte, V.C. Law, Rahul Sankrityayan, Jagdish Kashyap, Ananda Kausalyayan, H. von Glasenapp, and others are cited for their contributions and differing views on Pali language and literature.

Key Concepts Discussed:

Anatta (No-self): The philosophical concept of not-self, central to Buddhist doctrine.
Anupadana: The state of being free from craving or attachment.
Nirvana: The ultimate goal of Buddhist practice, the cessation of suffering.
Middle Path: The Buddha's teaching of avoiding extremes in asceticism and indulgence.
Karma: The principle of action and consequence.
Tripitaka: The three main divisions of the Pali Canon.
Atthakatha: Commentaries on the Pali Canon.
Vamsa: Historical chronicles.
Patthana: The concept of causal relations, central to Abhidhamma.
Mulapada: Root principles or fundamental concepts.

The book provides a scholarly yet accessible introduction to the vast and complex world of Pali literature, serving as a foundational text for understanding this significant part of Indian intellectual and religious history.