The Mahavastu and the Vinayapitaka

[sujato]

A 2012 article by Vincent Tournier on the Mahavastu and its place regarding the Vinaya Pitaka. It argues that the Mahavastu is indeed a Vinaya text (as it is classified in SuttaCentral).

Vinaya has always included extensive narrative and mythology, and the Mahavastu extends that, adding copious legends and fables to the extent that some scholars have doubted that it is a Vinaya text at all. But the manuscript explicitly identifies itself as Vinaya.

2012a_The_Mahavastu_and_the_Vinayapiak.pdf (312.8 KB)

[Amatabhani]

@sujato

Vinaya has always included extensive narrative and mythology

Bhante,

Which parts of vinaya can be identified as mythology ?

[sujato]

The Buddha’s life, stories such as that of Dīghāvu Kumāra, some elements of the Vibhanga origin stories, etc. I discussed the Buddha’s life story as mythology extensively in White Bones Red Rot Black Snakes.

What is myth and why does it matter?

In colloquial use a “myth” is something that’s false but often accepted as true. But this is quite separate from the original meaning, a sacred story. Regarding the examples you gave, whether they are myths or not has nothing to do with whether the beings or extraordinary events actually happened. Stories that are entirely earth-bound (if you like) can be myths, although it is true that extraordinary elements are usually found in there to signify that the events transcend normal space and time.…

[Amatabhani]

@sujato

The Buddha’s life, stories such as that of Dīghāvu Kumāra, some elements of the Vibhanga origin stories, etc. I discussed the Buddha’s life story as mythology extensively in White Bones Red Rot Black Snakes .

Many thanks Bhante