What is tripitaka?

The Tripitaka, also known as the Pali Canon, is the sacred scripture of Theravada Buddhism. It is written in the ancient Pali language and comprises three main divisions or "baskets": the Vinaya Pitaka, the Sutta Pitaka, and the Abhidhamma Pitaka.

The Vinaya Pitaka contains rules and regulations for Buddhist monks and nuns, including guidelines on behavior, monastic discipline, and the organization of the Sangha. The Sutta Pitaka comprises the discourses of Buddha, which cover a wide range of subjects such as morality, ethics, meditation, and the nature of reality. The Abhidhamma Pitaka is a more philosophical and technical collection of teachings that explore the nature of the mind, the nature of matter, and the relationship between the two.

The Tripitaka is considered to be the most authentic and authoritative text of Buddhism, and is considered to be the foundation of Buddhist thought and practice. It has been preserved and transmitted orally for thousands of years before being written down in the first century BCE in Sri Lanka. Today, the Tripitaka remains an important source of inspiration and guidance for millions of Buddhists around the world.