Early Buddhism Map
Veluriyavira1. Core Doctrines:
- Early Teachings:
- MN 10 – Satipatthana Sutta (Four Foundations of Mindfulness), c. 5th–4th century BCE.
- MN 22 – Anatta-lakkhana Sutta (No-self doctrine), c. 5th–4th century BCE.
- Later Add-ons:
- Glosses to clarify terms like dukkha (suffering), anatta, and nirvana.
- Additional commentarial expansions on the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path.
2. Meditation and Mindfulness:
- Early Teachings:
- MN 118 – Anapanasati Sutta (Mindfulness of Breathing), c. 5th–4th century BCE.
- MN 10 – Satipatthana Sutta (Four Foundations of Mindfulness), c. 5th–4th century BCE.
- Later Add-ons:
- Commentary on jhānas (meditative absorptions) and detailed instructions on breathing practices.
- Body scanning and more detailed meditation techniques are found in later commentaries.
3. The Nature of Nirvana:
- Early Teachings:
- MN 26 – Saccavibhanga Sutta (Analysis of Truths), c. 5th–4th century BCE.
- Later Add-ons:
- Clarification on nirvana with remainder and nirvana without remainder. These concepts are further explained in later commentaries but are not directly present in the early suttas.
4. Suffering (Dukkha) and Dependent Origination:
- Early Teachings:
- MN 28 – Dukkha Sutta (The Truth of Suffering), c. 5th–4th century BCE.
- MN 136 – Karma Sutta (Karma and its effects), c. 5th–4th century BCE.
- DN 15 – Saccavibhanga Sutta (Analysis of Truths), c. 5th–4th century BCE.
- Later Add-ons:
- Expansion on the twelve links of dependent origination and detailed breakdowns of dukkha (types of suffering) in later commentaries.
5. Ethical Conduct (Sila):
- Early Teachings:
- MN 40 – Sīlabbata-parāmāsa Sutta (On the Wrong View of Rites and Rituals), c. 5th–4th century BCE.
- DN 2 – Pārājika Sutta (Disqualifications for Monks), c. 5th–4th century BCE.
- Later Add-ons:
- Further explanations of Right Speech, Right Action, and Right Livelihood in later commentaries.
- Expanded monastic guidelines and ethical rules.
6. Concept of Anatta (No-Self):
- Early Teachings:
- MN 22 – Anatta-lakkhana Sutta (No-self doctrine), c. 5th–4th century BCE.
- Later Add-ons:
- Visuddhimagga (5th century CE) and later commentaries provide a more detailed explanation of the five aggregates (khandhas) and their relation to anatta (no-self).
7. Karma and Rebirth:
- Early Teachings:
- MN 136 – Karma Sutta (On Karma and its effects), c. 5th–4th century BCE.
- DN 15 – Saccavibhanga Sutta (Analysis of Truths), c. 5th–4th century BCE.
- Later Add-ons:
- Later commentaries provide more nuanced explanations of karma, focusing on cetanā (volition) and its role in karmic consequences.
- The doctrine of rebirth becomes more detailed in later Pali commentaries.
8. The Role of the Bodhisattva:
- Early Teachings:
- Focus on the path of arahantship and individual liberation, as seen in DN 16 – Mahāparinibbāna Sutta (The Buddha’s Last Days), c. 5th–4th century BCE.
- Later Add-ons:
- The Bodhisattva path is not present in early suttas but later commentarial glosses and Mahayana-influenced texts might subtly introduce the Bodhisattva ideal and practices of compassion.
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Summary of Key Dates & Sutta References:
Early Teachings (c. 5th–4th century BCE):
- MN 10 – Satipatthana Sutta
- MN 22 – Anatta-lakkhana Sutta
- MN 28 – Dukkha Sutta
- MN 136 – Karma Sutta
- MN 118 – Anapanasati Sutta
- DN 2 – Pārājika Sutta
- DN 15 – Saccavibhanga Sutta
- DN 16 – Mahāparinibbāna Sutta
Later Additions (5th century CE onward):
- Visuddhimagga (5th century CE) expands on the five aggregates and anatta.
- Commentaries on karma, nirvana, jhānas, and meditation emerge as Buddhism becomes more institutionalized and doctrinally refined.
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Conclusion:
The early suttas in the Digha Nikaya and Majjhima Nikaya were composed in the 5th–4th centuries BCE, and their teachings form the foundation of Buddhist doctrine. Over time, later commentarial add-ons emerged, particularly in the 5th century CE, providing more detailed explanations, clarifications, and doctrinal expansions on concepts like meditation stages, karma, nirvana, and anatta.