Important Texts Related to The Buddhism

Buddhism is an important topic in the Ancient Indian History section. In the current scenario, the weightage of history-related questions are increasing in the government exams like SSC CGL, SSC CHSL, RAILWAYS, BANKING, and other competitive exams. So here we are providing a practice set of some important questions from the topic Important Texts Related to Buddhism. These questions will help the candidates prepare for the upcoming government exams.

Brief Description of Buddhism’s Texts-

• Literature is the mirror of any society. Through literature, we get information about contemporary society. 
• From Buddhist literature, we get information about Buddhism and its related subjects.
• Buddhist literature is called “Tripitaka”. It includes Sutta Pitaka, Vinaya Pitaka and Abhidhamma Pitaka. 
• They are written in the Pali language.
• Later the Sanskrit language has also been used in the writing of Buddhist texts. 
• Next in the table, some important Buddhist texts are written with important facts: 
  

Text	Writer	Important Facts
Milinda Panha	Nagasena	This book was written in the 1st B.C. This text describes the conversation between the Greek king Menander and the Buddhist monk Nagasena.  This book is written in the Pali language. It is written in question-answer style.
Sariputra Prakaran	Ashvaghosha	This book was written during the reign of Kushan ruler Kanishka. In this text, there is a description of Sariputra being initiated into Buddhism.
Sutralankara	Asanga	It is a book that contains the main percepts of the Yogachara or Vigyanavadin school of philosophy of Mahayana Buddhism. This book was written in the Sanskrit language
Buddhacharita	Ashvaghosha	In this epic, the life of Mahatma Buddha has been described simply. In this book, there is a description of the Buddha from the conception to the emperor Ashoka.  It is also called Buddhist Ramayana This book was written in the Sanskrit language
Mahavansh	Sthvir Mahanaam	The literal meaning of Mahavansh is great history.  This book is written in the Pali language. This book is written in poetry style. It describes the kings of Sri Lanka. It describes the period from the arrival of King Vijay of Kalinga to Sri Lanka to King Mahasen. It is a famous historical epic of Sinhala literature.
Deepvansh	Sthvir Mahanaam	The book called Deepavansh is a famous text about the ancient history of Sinhaldweep (Sri Lanka).  This book was written in the fourth or fifth century AD. In the Deepavansh text, the description of sending missionaries outside India on behalf of the Mauryan emperor Ashoka has been given. The names of the missionaries sent by Ashoka are also found in it.
Madhyamik sutra	Nagarjuna	This is the text of the Mahayana sect in Buddhism. This book was written in the first century AD
Pragyaparmita	Nagarjuna	This is a text related to the Mahayana sect of Buddhism.  This book was written in the Sanskrit language. This book was written in the first century AD
Sullekh	Nagarjuna	This book describes the principles of Buddhism
Madhyamakakarika	Nagarjuna	This is a text related to the Mahayana sect of Buddhism.
Visuddhimagga	Buddhaghosa	This book was composed in the Pali language. This book was written in the Gupta period. This book is called the Encyclopedia of Buddhism.
Samantapasadika	Buddhaghosa	This book was written in the Gupta period
Abhidharmakośa	Vasubandhu	This book was written in the Sanskrit language. This book was written in 4th-5th AD
Nyayabindu	Dharmakirti	This book was written in the 6th century. This book is related to the Yogachara branch of the Mahayana sect of Buddhism.
Hetubindu	Dharmakirti	This book was written in the 6th century. This book is related to the Yogachara branch of the Mahayana sect of Buddhism
Mahayana Sangrah	Asanga	This book was written in the post-Gupta period. This book belongs to the Mahayana sect
Yogacharya Bhumishastra	Asanga	This book belongs to the Mahayana sect
Vajracchedika	Asanga	This book was written in the post-Gupta period. This book belongs to the Mahayana sect
Lalitavistara	Asanga	The Lalitavistara is a Sanskrit Mahayana Buddhist Literature. It tells the story of Gautama Buddha from the time of his descent from Tushita until his first sermon in the Deer Park at Sarnath near Varanasi.
Ashokavadana	Asanga	This book was written in the Sanskrit language. This book is part of Divyavadana
Divyavadana	Asanga	This book was written in the Sanskrit language. This book was written in the fourth century. This book gives information about the history of the Maurya Empire.
Arya Manjusri Mula kalpa	Asanga	It is a text of the Kriyā-tantra class.  It is affiliated with the bodhisattva Mañjuśrī. It contains violent, sensual, and sexual tantric rituals.