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**8Zgkdeee** · 05-28-2012, 10:35 PM

Do you believe that someone as intellegent as the Buddha would not have thought of this issue (recording his teachings)? Are the suttas the original words of the Buddha or what has been remebered by Ananda?

It is quite possible that he did since he had Ananda assigned as the treasurer of Dhamma and there were many enlightened disciples who were well-versed in dhamma just like him. Later after his death, a council of enlightened monks got together and consolidated the "original words of the Buddha". It has been verbally transmitted over time until documented in pali. Although Pali or sankrit were not the languages the Buddha talked, it is believed that he talked one which was very similar to the two so it is unlikely that there has been significant deterioration over time.

Anyway, the pali canon is the earliest available resource at the moment, as far as I know. In Buddhism, followers are not encouraged to treat the pali canon as the gospel. It is just a reference point. You are welcome to read it, follow it and realize dhamma for yourself. Without following it, you will never know if it is accurate and how deep it goes. All you are left with is speculation like "did Ananda remember it right? Are they the exact original words of the Buddha?" etc.

05-28-2012, 10:35 PM	#13
8Zgkdeee Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 457 Senior Member	Do you believe that someone as intellegent as the Buddha would not have thought of this issue (recording his teachings)? Are the suttas the original words of the Buddha or what has been remebered by Ananda? It is quite possible that he did since he had Ananda assigned as the treasurer of Dhamma and there were many enlightened disciples who were well-versed in dhamma just like him. Later after his death, a council of enlightened monks got together and consolidated the "original words of the Buddha". It has been verbally transmitted over time until documented in pali. Although Pali or sankrit were not the languages the Buddha talked, it is believed that he talked one which was very similar to the two so it is unlikely that there has been significant deterioration over time. Anyway, the pali canon is the earliest available resource at the moment, as far as I know. In Buddhism, followers are not encouraged to treat the pali canon as the gospel. It is just a reference point. You are welcome to read it, follow it and realize dhamma for yourself. Without following it, you will never know if it is accurate and how deep it goes. All you are left with is speculation like "did Ananda remember it right? Are they the exact original words of the Buddha?" etc.
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