THE THREE BASKETS

Tripitaka, the three baskets, is the Sanskrit term for the collection of Buddhist sacred scriptures.

The Tibetans were clever in differentiating the Dharma scriptures that make up the Buddhist teachings within the three ‘baskets’. 

Texts belonging to the Vinaya, conduct and procedures for the monastic community, begin with “Prostration to the Buddha”. 

Texts belonging to the Sutra, the words attributed to the Buddha or close companions, begin with “Prostration to the Buddha and Bodhisattvas”. 

Finally, the texts belonging to the Abhidharma, commentary, analysis and summary of Buddha’s teachings, begin with “Prostration to Manjushri”.