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Canonical Texts and Commentaries, Pali and English - Discovering Buddha
Canonical Texts and Commentaries, Pali and English - Discovering Buddha
Home › Scholarly Societies › The Pāli Text Society › Canonical texts and commentaries, Pali and English
We present here a comprehensive list of much of the Pāli Canon and its Commentaries, as well as
some English translations, published by PTS and other publishers arranged by their traditional order.
Much of the information presented here was gleaned from the PTS website. I have left out information
on many of their most recent publications and only presented the older books which I could locate.
I’ve added equivalent texts from other sources where the PTS version could not be found. All
canonical books and their commentaries have been edited in Pāli and translated into English, but only
some are presented here.
All the PTS books currently in print can be purchased in elegant hard cover volumes from PTS
(http://www.palitext.com) or from one of their distributors, like Pariyatti.org, for which you’ll find links at
their website. They also have a downloadable catalog with a complete list of all their books both in
print, and not. I have found many well-bound copies in India at Motilal Banarsidas
(http://www.mlbd.com).
All these downloadable files were found on the internet in various places. The best site to find such
book scans is the Internet Archives (https://archive.org/details/texts). I also used Google books and
Google search. But there were many surprise discoveries in many other websites. Most of the
material is over 70 years old, the most recent being a few from the 1950s. When PTS is not the
publisher, I have tried to note the actual one. When the book was not part of a series, I tagged it with
Inde for ‘independent’.
Vinaya Piṭaka
This constitutes the collection of monastic law; and has the purpose to regulate life within the
community of monks and nuns as well as their relationship with the laity. The collection deals with the
rules relating to individual conduct and with the legal procedures and formulae used by the community
as a whole. It is divided into three sections, the first of which contains the set of rules for monks and
nuns (the Pātimokkha), which is an independent text according to other Buddhist schools. The Vinaya
Piṭaka also contains a large number of stories and biographical material relating to the Buddha.
Pali texts: Vinaya Piṭaka edited by Hermann Oldenberg in 5 volumes, Published by Williams &
Norgate:
Translation: Vinaya Texts by TW Rhys Davids and Herman Oldenberg was published by Sacred
Books of the East in three volumes:
Translation: The Book of the Discipline, published by PTS, was translated by I.B. Horner in 6
volumes (Also published as Sacred Books of the Buddhists Vols. 10, 11, 13, 14, 20 & 25.):
The Book of the Discipline Vol. II Part 1, Suttavibhaṇga I.B. Horner (1940)
The Book of the Discipline Vol. II Part 2, Suttavibhaṇga I.B. Horner (1940)
The Book of the Discipline Vol. III, Suttavibhaṇga I.B. Horner (1942)
The Book of the Discipline Vol. IV, Mahāvagga I.B. Horner (1951)
The Book of the Discipline Vol. VI I.B. Horner (1966), Parivāra. [not available]
This “one volume edition” of I. B. Horner’s The Book of the Discipline was prepared by Bhikkhu Sujato
for SuttaCentral.
Pāli text with translation & notes: Pātimokkha, by Dickson in the JRAS Oct 1875.
Pāli text & Translation: Inception of Discipline and The Vinaya Nidana — Bāhiranidāna, edited and
translated by N.A. Jayawickrama, 1962, the introduction to the Samantapāsādikā, giving the history of
Buddhism up to the establishment of the Vinaya-Piṭaka in Sri Lanka.
Sutta Piṭaka
Dīgha Nikāya
Pali text: Dīgha Nikāya in 3 volumes containing 34 suttas, edited by T.W. Rhys Davids and J.E.
Carpenter
Dīgha Nikāya Vol. II, Mahā Vagga TWRD & Carpenter (1903)
Translation: Dialogues of the Buddha, a translation of Dīgha Nikāya by T.W. & C.A.F. Rhys Davids in
3 volumes. Originally — Sacred books of the Buddhists. Vols II, III & IV.
For contrast, see Rhys Davids’ first translations of suttas from Dīgha Nikāya in Sacred Books of the
East Vol XI: Buddhist Suttas TWRD (1881)
Pali text: Sumaṅgalavilāsinī, commentary on Dīgha Nikāya by Buddhaghosa. (5th century C.E.) in 3
volumes:
[Vol. II (1931) & Vol. III (1932) edited by W. Stede are not available.]
Majjhima Nikāya
Pali texts: Majjhima Nikāya from PTS in 6 volumes containing 152 suttas:
Translations: The Collection of Middle Length Sayings, translated by I.B. Horner, in 3 volumes from
PTS:
Middle Length Sayings Vol. I, The First Fifty Discourses I.B. Horner (1954)
Middle Length Sayings Vol. II, The Middle Fifty Discourses I.B. Horner (1957)
Middle Length Sayings Vol. III, The Final Fifty Discourses I.B. Horner (1959)
Alternative translation: The First Fifty Discourses from the Medium length Discourses of Gotama the
Buddha by the Ven. Bhikkhu Sīlācāra, in 2 Volumes, from German Pāli Society:
The First Fifty Discourses from the MN Vol 1 Bhikkhu Sīlācāra (1912)
The First Fifty Discourses from the MN Vol 2 Bhikkhu Sīlācāra (1913)
Saṃyutta Nikāya
Pali texts: Saṃyutta Nikāya, edited by L. Feer, in 6 volumes:
Aṅguttara Nikāya
Pali texts: Aṅguttara Nikāya in 6 volumes:
Aṅguttara Nikāya Vol. III Pañcaka Nipāta & Chakka Nipāta E.Hardy (1896)
Aṅguttara Nikāya Vol. IV Sattaka Nipāta, Aṭṭhaka Nipāta & Navaka Nipāta E.Hardy (1899)
Aṅguttara Nikāya Vol. V Dasaka Nipāta & Ekādasaka Nipāta E.Hardy (1900)
Gradual Sayings Vol. I The Books of Ones, Twos & Threes F.L.Woodward (1932)
Gradual Sayings Vol. III The Books of Fives & Sixes E.M. Hare (1934)
Gradual Sayings Vol. IV The Books of Sevens, Eights & Nines E.M. Hare (1935)
Gradual Sayings Vol. V The Books of Tens & Elevens F.L.Woodward (1936)
Khuddaka Nikāya
(1) Khuddakapāṭha
Khuddaka Pāṭha and its commentary, Paramatthajotikā I edited by Helmer Smith and Mabel Hunt,
1915 — originally 1 text by PTS, are presented here as two separate files. Khuddaka Pāṭha is first
book of the Khuddaka Nikāya of the Sutta Piṭaka, but probably was the latest to be included in the
collection. It consists of nine short texts, only one of which is not found elsewhere in the canon. It was
possibly compiled as a handbook for novices. The commentary is traditionally attributed to
Buddhaghosa. (5th century C.E.)
Pali texts:
(2) Dhammapada
Dhammapada is one of the most popular Buddhist texts, with many verses having parallels in the
texts of other Buddhist schools and in non-Buddhist sources. The 423 verses are arranged according
to their subject matter.
Translations: There have been many translations of Dhammapada. Here are a few of the earlier ones
— plus one from 2014:
Dhammapadaṃ Viggo Fausböll (1855) This is the first Pāli text to have been edited in Europe and
translated into a European language — Latin !
Texts from the Buddhist Canon, from the Chinese by Samuel Beal (1902)
A Collection of Verses by F Max Muller (1898), a revision of his earlier one done for Sacred Books of
the East, with a 63 page introduction.
This anonymous commentary is basically a collection of stories, of which about sixty are shared with
the Jātaka Commentary, chosen to introduce, contextualize and explain the verses of the
Dhammapada. It was apparently composed in Sri Lanka and its date is unknown.
Translations: Buddhist Legends, by E.W. Burlingame, was published in the Harvard Oriental Series,
#s 28 – 30 in 1921. We have this in 4 volumes, the first being the front pages and the index followed
by 3 volumes of text.
Also: Excerpts from Burlingame, selected and revised by Bhikkhu Khantipālo, published by BPS as
Buddhist Stories from the Dhammapada Commentary — Parts 1, 2, 3 & 4
(3) Udāna
Udāna is the third text of the Khuddaka Nikāya of the Sutta Piṭaka. It consists of a collection of eighty
“solemn utterances” made by the Buddha on special occasions. Most are in verse accompanied by a
prose account of the circumstances that led to their being given.
There are numerous translations of Udāna: F.L. Woodward, PTS 1935; Peter Masefield, PTS 1994;
John Ireland BPS, 1990.
Dhammapāla’s Commentary on the Udāna was edited for PTS by F.L. Woodward in 1926 and
translated by P. Masefield in 2 volumes, 1994, 1995. They can be had in hard cover from PTS.
(4) Itivuttaka
Itivuttaka is the fourth book in the Khuddaka Nikāya of the Sutta Piṭaka. It consists of 112 short
discourses written in a mixture of prose and verse.
There are numerous translations of Itivuttaka: As It Was Said by F.L. Woodward 1935; and Peter
Masefield, 2000 — both by PTS — and The Buddha’s Sayings, by John Ireland, by BPS, 1991.
Dhammapāla’s Commentary edited by M.M. Bose, Vol. I (1934) & Vol. II (1936); and its translation by
Peter Masefield, 2 volumes, 2008, 2009 can be had in hard cover from PTS.
(5) Suttanipāta
This is the fifth text of the Khuddaka Nikāya of the Sutta Piṭaka, consisting mainly of verses,
apparently compiled from a number of sources. Two chapters of the Suttanipāta are mentioned by
name in other Pāli canonical texts, and the commentary upon them is also included in the canon. It is
apparent that this text contains some of the oldest Pāli poetry we possess.
Translations: A Collection of Discourses of the Buddhists by Viggo Fausböll was published by Sacred
Books of the East Vol 10 in 1881. This was the second half of the book — the first half being F Max
Müller’s Dhammapada.
Buddha’s Teaching by Lord Chalmers (1913) published in the Harvard Oriental Series.
Alternative translations: There are many other translations of Suttanipāta — including K.R. Norman
by PTS 2001.
(6) Vimānavatthu
This is the sixth book of the Khuddaka Nikāya of the Sutta Piṭaka. It consists of 83 stories describing
the former meritorious actions that have led to individuals being reborn as gods enjoying life in
celestial mansions (vimānas).
Translations from PTS include Stories of the Mansions, by I.B. Horner, in Minor Anthologies IV, 1974;
Vimānavatthu & Petavatthu by N.A. Jayawickrama, 1977; & Vimāna Stories, by Masefield, 1989.
(7) Petavatthu
Pali texts: Petavatthu by J. Minayeff (1888). This is the seventh book of the Khuddaka Nikāya of the
Sutta Piṭaka. This is a collection of stories about beings who are suffering because of evil deeds
performed in a former life.
Translations: Stories of the Departed by I. B. Horner, in Minor Anthologies Vol. IV, 1974; Peta Stories
by U Ba Kyaw and P. Masefield, 1980.
Pali texts: Theragāthā and Therīgāthā was edited by Hermann Oldenberg and Richard Pischel in
1883. These are the eighth and ninth texts of the Khuddaka Nikāya of the Sutta Piṭaka. They are
collections of poems ascribed to elder monks (theras) or nuns (therīs) respectively. Many of the verses
are accounts of religious experiences, some of which also achieve a high poetic standard. Originally
published together, they are presented separately here.
The commentaries by 6th century monk Dhammapāla, Paramatthadīpanī V on Theragāthā was edited
by F.L. Woodward, 3 volumes: 1940, 1952 & 1959; & Paramatthadīpanī VI, on Therīgāthā by William
Pruitt, 1997.
Translations: Psalms of the Early Buddhists, translated by Mrs C.A.F. Rhys Davids:
Other translation: Elders’ Verses by K.R. Norman, 2 volumes: 1969 &1971. The Commentary on the
Verses of the Therīs by William Pruitt, 1998.
(10) Jātaka
Jātaka is the tenth book of the Khuddaka Nikāya of the Sutta Piṭaka. Although the canonical text is
only the 547 verses and the stories of the former births of Gotama Buddha constitute the commentary,
it is usually presented combined — the verses embedded in the stories.
Pali texts: The Jātaka Together with its Commentary being Tales of the Anterior Lives of Gotama
Buddha, edited by V. Fausböll and published by Trübner in 6 volumes, 1877–1896. Vol. VII: Indexes
by Dines Andersen, 1897 is not available.
The Jātaka Together with its Commentary Fausböll Vol III (1883)
Translations: The Jātaka or Stories of the Buddha’s Former Births, edited by E.B. Cowell, 6 volumes
1895–1907 and Index 1913.
The original idea was for Fausböll to edit the Pāli and for TWRD to translate. In 1880 TWRD published
his Vol I. of Buddhist Birth Stories, also with Trübner. It started with a 100 page introduction and the
first 40 stories. Vol II was never published as the Cambridge University Press took over the translation
work under E. B. Cowell. When RD’s Buddhist Birth Stories was re-issued in 1925 by Routledge, the
40 stories were replaced by 6 new ones and the introduction was expanded to form the bulk of the
book.
Inde Jātakas: Five (1861), Two (1870), One (1871), Ten (1872) Fausboll — Here are four articles by
Viggo Fausböll combined into one download: Five Jātakas (1861), Two Jātakas (1870), Dasaratha
Jātaka (1871), Ten Jātakas (RAS 1872), — These were released independently from Denmark before
he published his first volume with Trübner.
CUP Jātaka Tales Francis & Thomas (1916) — A selection from Cowell
SBB Vol 1 The Gātakamālā or Garland of Birth Stories Speyer (1895) — from Sanskrit
Inde Indian Fairy Tales Joseph Jacobs (1892) — a collection of 29 tales, partly from Jātaka
Inde The Jātakas – Tales of India Ellen Babbitt (1912) — 18 stories for children
RAS On the Buddhist Jātakas by Oldenburg from JRAS (1893) — a scholarly article on the entire field
of past life stories in Pāli and Sanskrit
RAS Jataka Translations by RF St Andrew St John (1892 – 1896) — 5 translations from the Pāli
Inde Nine Jatakas Elwell (1886) Pali text with vocabulary — a exercise book for students of a Pāli
studies program
(11) Niddesa
Niddesa is the eleventh book of the Khuddaka Nikāya of the Sutta Piṭaka. It is divided into two parts,
Mahāniddesa and Cullaniddesa, each considered to be canonical, and each containing commentary
on the Suttanipāta (not later than the 1st century BCE).
Pali texts: Mahāniddesa was published in 2 volumes edited by Louis de La Vallée Poussin and E.J.
Thomas
(12) Paṭisambhidāmagga
Paṭisambhidāmagga is twelfth book of the Khuddaka Nikāya of the Sutta Piṭaka. It is attributed by the
commentary to Gotama Buddha’s disciple Sāriputta. This text is later than much of the canon and
attempts to explain in a systematic way how understanding of the Buddha’s basic teaching can lead to
enlightenment.
Pali text: Saddhammappakāsinī, the Paṭisambhidāmagga Commentary, was edited by C.V. Joshi in 3
volumes, 1933–1947. It’s attributed to Mahānāma, who quotes extensively from the Visuddhimagga.
(6th century C.E.) [Not available]
(13) Apadāna
Pali text: Apadāna is a collection of stories of elder monks and nuns, giving their past lives and
struggles. It was edited in 2 volumes by M.E. Lilley, 1925, 1927. Visuddhajanavilāsinī, the commentary
on the first three sections of the Apadāna. (13th century C.E.?) was edited by C.E. Godakumbura,
1954. [None of these are available.]
(14) Buddhavaṃsa
Buddhavaṃsa is book 14 of the Khuddaka Nikāya of the Sutta Piṭaka. In the Buddhavaṃsa Gotama
Buddha relates, in verse, the lives of the 24 Buddhas who preceded him, and his former actions in
relation to those Buddhas.
Translations, etc.: Chronicle of Buddhas in Minor Anthologies, Vol. III.; Madhuratthavilāsinī, the
commentary on the Buddhavaṃsa ascribed to Buddhadatta (5th century C.E.?), edited by I.B. Horner,
1946. Commentary translation: The Clarifier of the Sweet Meaning, translated by I.B. Horner, 1978.
[None of these are available.]
(15) Cariyāpiṭaka
Cariyāpiṭaka is book 15 of the Khuddaka Nikāya of the Sutta Piṭaka. It relates stories in verse of
Gotama Buddha’s former lives — this particular collection being used to illustrate his mastery of the
ten perfections.
Translations: Basket of Conduct in Minor Anthologies, Vol. III. Paramatthadīpanī VII, Cariyāpiṭaka
Commentary by Dhammapāla. (6th century C.E.?), edited by D.L. Barua, 1939. [Neither of these is
available.]
There are three ancient texts which are considered canonical by some and not by others. PTS did not
include them but they were included in recital at the 6th council in Rangoon in 1954–56. We include
them here.
(16) Nettipakaraṇa
This is a treatise setting out methods for interpreting and explaining canonical texts, similar in content
to the Peṭakopadesa and used by Buddhaghosa and other commentators. (Possibly 1st century
B.C.E.)
(17) Peṭakopadesa
This is a treatise setting out a method for explaining and expanding the teaching of the Buddha.
(Possibly 2nd century B.C.E.)
Pali text: Peṭakopadesa by A. Barua 1949. Translation: Piṭaka Disclosure, translated by Ven.
Ñāṇamoli, 1964. — Neither is available
(18) Milindapañha
This popular prose text takes the form of a dialogue between the Indo-Greek king Milinda (Menander)
and a Buddhist monk named Nāgasena. (2nd century B.C.E.)
Translation:
PTS Translation: Milinda’s Questions, translated by I.B. Horner, 2 volumes: Vol. I (1963), Vol. II (1964)
— not available.
Abhidhamma
Dhammasaṅgaṇī
This is the first volume of the Abhidhamma Piṭaka — a compilation from various sources analyzing
and classifying the phenomena (dhammā) that comprise all mental and material conditions.
Vibhaṅga
This is the second book of the Abhidhamma Piṭaka, in which certain topics central to the Buddha’s
teachings are the subject of technical analysis.
Translation: Dispeller of Delusion, translated by Bhikkhu Ñāṇamoli, with L.S. Cousins, Nyanaponika
Mahāthera and C.M.M. Shaw, 2 volumes, 1987, 1991. [Not available.]
Dhātukathā
This third volume of the Abhidhamma Piṭaka gives a detailed and systematic analysis of the elements
of physical phenomena.
Puggalapaññatti
The fourth volume of the Abhidhamma Piṭaka, although it appears to be the earliest of the
Abhidhamma texts, it contains many statements about the “person” (puggala) found elsewhere in the
Sutta Piṭaka.
Kathāvatthu
This fifth book of the Abhidhamma Piṭaka is the only canonical text attributed to an author and given a
composition date by the tradition. It consists of a discussion of heretical statements that are refuted in
favor of orthodox Theravādin beliefs.
Translation: Points of Controversy by S.Z. Aung and C.A.F. Rhys Davids (1915)
Yamaka
This is the sixth book of the Abhidhamma Piṭaka, dealing with applied logic. Volume 2 ends with a 60
page article on Yamaka by the Ven. Ledi Sayadaw.
Paṭṭhāna
The seventh and final book of the Abhidhamma Piṭaka, divided into two parts: the Tikapaṭṭhāna with
“groups of three”, and the Dukapaṭṭhāna dealing with “groups of twos”. It is a highly technical text,
consisting of a minutely detailed analysis of the doctrine of conditionality.
Pali text: Tikapaṭṭhāna and Commentary, edited by Mrs C.A.F. Rhys Davids in 3 volumes, reprinted
as one volume 1988:
Translation: Conditional Relations, (translation of part of the Tikapaṭṭhāna only),m translated by Ven.
U Narada, 2 volumes: