Rajeshkumar Babulal Patil
Buddhist Studies
August 2025
This research is a critical analysis of the historical growth of Early Theravada Buddhism as recorded in the Pāli Tipitaka in terms of its doctrines, textual structure and its socio-historical background. It shows how the Vinaya, Sutta and Abhidhamma Pitakas evolved, written as they were, after being transmitted orally, and the contributions of oral recitation and memorization, recitation by community of monks, and the monastic councils in maintaining the integrity of the doctrines. The study examines the role of socio-political dynamics, such as royal patronage by Emperor Ashoka, and the effect of early Sangha organization in the preservation, stratification and transmission of the canon. Through a study of the internal growth of the texts, including the brief aphoristic texts such as the Dhammapada to later narrative additions such as the Buddhavaṃsa, the paper shows how the Pāli Canon retained continuity whilst also responding to changes in history and culture. The results show that Early Theravada Buddhism struck a balance between doctrinal orthodoxy and dynamic growth, laying down the Pāli Tipitaka as a religious authority and a critical historical source of the Buddha doctrine
417- 431
© Airo Journals 2021
