Difference between revisions of "Nikāya"
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| − | Nikāya is a Pāḷi word and literally means "volume". It is similar to the [[Sanskrit]] word Agama meaning "basket" It is also used to mean "collection", "assemblage", "class" or "group" in both the Pāḷi and [[Sanskrit]] languages. It is most commonly used in reference to the [[Buddhist texts]] of the [[Sutta]] Piṭaka, but can also refer to the monastic divisions of [[Theravāda]] [[Buddhism]]. In addition, the term Nikāya schools is sometimes used in contemporary scholarship to refer to the early Buddhist schools, of which the [[Theravāda]] is one. | + | [[Nikāya]] is a [[Pāḷi]] [[word]] and literally means "volume". It is similar to the [[Sanskrit]] [[word]] [[Agama]] meaning "basket" It is also used to mean "collection", "assemblage", "class" or "group" in both the [[Pāḷi]] and [[Sanskrit]] [[languages]]. It is most commonly used in reference to the [[Buddhist texts]] of the [[Sutta]] [[Piṭaka]], but can also refer to the [[monastic]] divisions of [[Theravāda]] [[Buddhism]]. In addition, the term [[Nikāya]] schools is sometimes used in contemporary {{Wiki|scholarship}} to refer to the [[early Buddhist schools]], of which the [[Theravāda]] is one. |
== Text collections == | == Text collections == | ||
| − | In the [[Theravāda]] canon (in particular, the "Discourse Basket" or [[Sutta]] Piṭaka) the meaning of nikāya is roughly equivalent to the English collection, and is used to describe groupings of discourses according to theme, length, or other categories. For example, the [[Sutta]] Piṭaka is broken up into five nikāyas: | + | In the [[Theravāda]] [[canon]] (in particular, the "[[Discourse Basket]]" or [[Sutta]] [[Piṭaka]]) the meaning of [[nikāya]] is roughly {{Wiki|equivalent}} to the English collection, and is used to describe groupings of [[discourses]] according to theme, length, or other categories. For example, the [[Sutta]] [[Piṭaka]] is broken up into five [[nikāyas]]: |
| − | * the [[Dīgha Nikāya]], the collection of long (Pāḷi: dīgha) discourses | + | * the [[Dīgha Nikāya]], the collection of long ([[Pāḷi]]: [[dīgha]]) [[discourses]] |
| − | * the Majjhima Nikāya, the collection of middle-length (majjhima) discourses | + | * the [[Majjhima Nikāya]], the collection of middle-length ([[majjhima]]) [[discourses]] |
| − | * the Samyutta Nikāya, the collection of thematically linked (samyutta) discourses | + | * the [[Samyutta Nikāya]], the collection of thematically linked ([[samyutta]]) [[discourses]] |
| − | * the Anguttara Nikāya, the "gradual collection" (discourses grouped by content enumerations) | + | * the [[Anguttara Nikāya]], the "[[gradual collection]]" ([[discourses]] grouped by content enumerations) |
| − | * the [[Khuddaka Nikāya]], the "minor collection" | + | * the [[Khuddaka Nikāya]], the "[[minor collection]]" |
| − | In the other early Buddhist schools the alternate term āgama was used instead of nikāya to describe their [[Sutra]] Piṭakas. Thus the non-[[Mahāyāna]] portion of the [[Sanskrit]]-[[Language]] [[Sutra]] Piṭaka is referred to as "the Āgamas" by [[Mahāyāna]] Buddhists. The Āgamas survive for the most part only in Tibetan and Chinese translation. They correspond closely with the Pāḷi nikāyas. | + | In the other [[early Buddhist schools]] the alternate term [[āgama]] was used instead of [[nikāya]] to describe their [[Sutra]] [[Piṭakas]]. Thus the non-[[Mahāyāna]] portion of the [[Sanskrit]]-[[Language]] [[Sutra]] [[Piṭaka]] is referred to as "the [[Āgamas]]" by [[Mahāyāna]] [[Buddhists]]. The [[Āgamas]] survive for the most part only in [[Tibetan]] and {{Wiki|Chinese}} translation. They correspond closely with the [[Pāḷi]] [[nikāyas]]. |
| − | == Monastic divisions == | + | == [[Monastic]] divisions == |
| − | Among the [[Theravāda]] nations of Southeast Asia and Sri Lanka, nikāya is also used as the term for a monastic division or lineage; these groupings are also sometimes called "monastic fraternities" or "frateries". Nikāyas may emerge among monastic groupings as a result of royal or government patronage (such as the Dhammayuttika Nikāya of Thailand, due to the national origin of their ordination lineage (the Siyam Nikāya of Sri Lanka), because of differences in the interpretation of the monastic code, or due to other factors (such as the Amarapura Nikāya in Sri Lanka, which emerged as a reaction to [[Caste]] restrictions within the Siyam Nikāya). These divisions do not rise to the level of forming separate sects within the [[Theravāda]] tradition, because they do not typically follow different doctrines or monastic codes, nor do these divisions extend to the laity. | + | Among the [[Theravāda]] nations of {{Wiki|Southeast Asia}} and [[Sri Lanka]], [[nikāya]] is also used as the term for a [[monastic]] division or [[lineage]]; these groupings are also sometimes called "[[monastic]] fraternities" or "frateries". [[Nikāyas]] may emerge among [[monastic]] groupings as a result of {{Wiki|royal}} or government {{Wiki|patronage}} (such as the Dhammayuttika [[Nikāya]] of [[Thailand]], due to the national origin of their [[ordination]] [[lineage]] (the Siyam [[Nikāya]] of [[Sri Lanka]]), because of differences in the interpretation of the [[monastic code]], or due to other factors (such as the Amarapura [[Nikāya]] in [[Sri Lanka]], which emerged as a {{Wiki|reaction}} to [[Caste]] restrictions within the Siyam [[Nikāya]]). These divisions do not rise to the level of forming separate sects within the [[Theravāda]] [[tradition]], because they do not typically follow different [[doctrines]] or [[monastic]] {{Wiki|codes}}, nor do these divisions extend to the laity. |
| − | In Myanmar, [[Nikayas]] (monastic orders) have emerged in response to the relative conservativeness with which the Vinayas are interpreted, and the hierarchical structure within the [[Nikaya]]. Since 1980, no new [[Nikayas]] have been allowed, and there are a total of 9 legally-recognized monastic orders in Burma today, under the 1990 Law Concerning [[Sangha]] Organizations. The largest of these is the Thudhamma [[Nikaya]], which was founded in the 1800s during the Konbaung dynasty. | + | In [[Myanmar]], [[Nikayas]] ([[monastic]] orders) have emerged in response to the [[relative]] conservativeness with which the [[Vinayas]] are interpreted, and the hierarchical structure within the [[Nikaya]]. Since 1980, no new [[Nikayas]] have been allowed, and there are a total of 9 legally-recognized [[monastic]] orders in [[Burma]] today, under the 1990 Law Concerning [[Sangha]] Organizations. The largest of these is the Thudhamma [[Nikaya]], which was founded in the 1800s during the Konbaung {{Wiki|dynasty}}. |
{{W}} | {{W}} | ||
Revision as of 08:57, 18 April 2014
Nikāya is a Pāḷi word and literally means "volume". It is similar to the Sanskrit word Agama meaning "basket" It is also used to mean "collection", "assemblage", "class" or "group" in both the Pāḷi and Sanskrit languages. It is most commonly used in reference to the Buddhist texts of the Sutta Piṭaka, but can also refer to the monastic divisions of Theravāda Buddhism. In addition, the term Nikāya schools is sometimes used in contemporary scholarship to refer to the early Buddhist schools, of which the Theravāda is one.
Text collections
In the Theravāda canon (in particular, the "Discourse Basket" or Sutta Piṭaka) the meaning of nikāya is roughly equivalent to the English collection, and is used to describe groupings of discourses according to theme, length, or other categories. For example, the Sutta Piṭaka is broken up into five nikāyas:
- the Dīgha Nikāya, the collection of long (Pāḷi: dīgha) discourses
- the Majjhima Nikāya, the collection of middle-length (majjhima) discourses
- the Samyutta Nikāya, the collection of thematically linked (samyutta) discourses
- the Anguttara Nikāya, the "gradual collection" (discourses grouped by content enumerations)
- the Khuddaka Nikāya, the "minor collection"
In the other early Buddhist schools the alternate term āgama was used instead of nikāya to describe their Sutra Piṭakas. Thus the non-Mahāyāna portion of the Sanskrit-Language Sutra Piṭaka is referred to as "the Āgamas" by Mahāyāna Buddhists. The Āgamas survive for the most part only in Tibetan and Chinese translation. They correspond closely with the Pāḷi nikāyas.
Monastic divisions
Among the Theravāda nations of Southeast Asia and Sri Lanka, nikāya is also used as the term for a monastic division or lineage; these groupings are also sometimes called "monastic fraternities" or "frateries". Nikāyas may emerge among monastic groupings as a result of royal or government patronage (such as the Dhammayuttika Nikāya of Thailand, due to the national origin of their ordination lineage (the Siyam Nikāya of Sri Lanka), because of differences in the interpretation of the monastic code, or due to other factors (such as the Amarapura Nikāya in Sri Lanka, which emerged as a reaction to Caste restrictions within the Siyam Nikāya). These divisions do not rise to the level of forming separate sects within the Theravāda tradition, because they do not typically follow different doctrines or monastic codes, nor do these divisions extend to the laity.
In Myanmar, Nikayas (monastic orders) have emerged in response to the relative conservativeness with which the Vinayas are interpreted, and the hierarchical structure within the Nikaya. Since 1980, no new Nikayas have been allowed, and there are a total of 9 legally-recognized monastic orders in Burma today, under the 1990 Law Concerning Sangha Organizations. The largest of these is the Thudhamma Nikaya, which was founded in the 1800s during the Konbaung dynasty.
