Twelve Bases

Twelve Bases

The Six Internal Bases and the Six External Bases are together called the Twelve Bases. Base implies the meaning of germinating and nourishing. All mental activities are germinated and nourished from these Twelve Bases.

Twelve Divisions (of Mahayana)

1. sutra (prose discourses)

2. geya (verses which repeat the substance of the sutras)

3. gatha (verses of ideas not contained in the sutras)

4. nidana (historical narratives)

5. itivrittaka (past lives of the disciples of the Buddha)

6. jataka (past lives of the Buddha)

7. adbhutadharma (tales of the Buddha's miracles)

8. avadana (allegories)

9. upadesa (discussions of the doctrine)

10. udana (statements by the Buddha not in reply to questions)

11. vaipulya (sutras on broad subjects)

12. vyakarana (prophecies of the Buddha regarding enlightement of his disciples)