Cultural and linguistic changes

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 148 views

Has Anyone Seen Any Other Scholars Present Evidence of Corruptions in the Pali Early Buddhist Texts, Like I Have?

Dear fellow scholars and enthusiasts of the Pali Canon,

I hope this finds you well and happy. Over the last 25 years, I have been trying to apply the instructions from the Buddha on how to study his teaching to keep it pure, found in the Early Pali Buddhist texts. These instructions emphasize the importance of approaching the teachings with a critical and discerning mind, and being aware of the potential for corruption and misinterpretation.

As I have delved deeper into the Pali Canon, I have become increasingly aware of the need for a critical examination of the texts. I have been struck by the fact that many of the key concepts and teachings in the Pali Canon seem to be at odds with the principles of the Buddha's original teachings. This has led me to question the authenticity of certain passages and to wonder if they have been corrupted or altered over time.

The Pali Canon is a collection of texts that are considered to be the earliest and most authoritative record of the Buddha's teachings. However, as with any ancient text, there is a risk that the original teachings may have been corrupted or altered over time. This can occur through a variety of means, including:

Human error: Scribes and translators may make mistakes when copying or translating the texts.
Cultural and linguistic changes: The language and cultural context in which the texts were written may have changed over time, leading to misunderstandings or misinterpretations.
Theological and ideological influences: Later Buddhist schools and traditions may have influenced the texts, introducing new ideas and concepts that are not in line with the original teachings.

As I have studied the Pali Canon, I have come across several passages that seem to be at odds with the principles of the Buddha's original teachings. Some examples include:

The concept of "self": In the Pali Canon, the concept of "self" is often described as a permanent and unchanging entity. However, this is at odds with the Buddha's original teachings, which emphasize the impermanence and non-self nature of all phenomena.
The role of the Buddha: In the Pali Canon, the Buddha is often depicted as a powerful and omniscient being, with supernatural powers and abilities. However, this is not in line with the Buddha's original teachings, which emphasize the importance of humility and the limitations of human knowledge.
The concept of "karma": In the Pali Canon, the concept of "karma" is often described as a system of rewards and punishments, with good deeds leading to good consequences and bad deeds leading to bad consequences. However, this is at odds with the Buddha's original teachings, which emphasize the importance of understanding the causes and conditions of suffering, rather than simply trying to avoid bad consequences.

I am not alone in my concerns about corruption in the Pali Canon. Other scholars have also raised similar questions and concerns. For example:

Bhikkhu Bodhi: In his book "The Buddha's Teaching on the Mind," Bhikkhu Bodhi notes that the Pali Canon contains many passages that seem to be at odds with the principles of the Buddha's original teachings. He suggests that these passages may have been introduced by later Buddhist schools and traditions.
Nyanaponika Thera: In his book "The Heart of the Buddha's Teaching," Nyanaponika Thera notes that the Pali Canon contains many passages that seem to be at odds with the principles of the Buddha's original teachings. He suggests that these passages may have been introduced by later Buddhist schools and traditions, and that they may be the result of cultural and linguistic changes over time.
Walpola Rahula: In his book "The Heritage of the Bhikkhu," Walpola Rahula notes that the Pali Canon contains many passages that seem to be at odds with the principles of the Buddha's original teachings. He suggests that these passages may have been introduced by later Buddhist schools and traditions, and that they may be the result of human error and cultural and linguistic changes over time.

In conclusion, the Pali Canon is a complex and multifaceted text that contains many passages that seem to be at odds with the principles of the Buddha's original teachings. While the Pali Canon is considered to be the earliest and most authoritative record of the Buddha's teachings, it is clear that the text has undergone many changes and revisions over time. As scholars and enthusiasts of the Pali Canon, it is our responsibility to critically examine the text and to seek out the original teachings of the Buddha.

For those who are interested in further studying the Pali Canon and exploring the issue of corruption in the text, I recommend the following:

Read the original Pali texts: Read the original Pali texts in their entirety, rather than relying on translations or summaries.
Consult multiple translations: Consult multiple translations of the Pali Canon, including those that are based on the original Pali texts and those that are based on later Buddhist traditions.
Study the historical context: Study the historical context in which the Pali Canon was written, including the cultural, linguistic, and theological influences that may have shaped the text.
Engage in critical analysis: Engage in critical analysis of the Pali Canon, using your own judgment and discernment to evaluate the text and its teachings.

Q: What is the Pali Canon?

A: The Pali Canon is a collection of texts that are considered to be the earliest and most authoritative record of the Buddha's teachings. It is a comprehensive guide to the Buddhist path and contains teachings on ethics, meditation, and wisdom.

Q: What is the problem with corruption in the Pali Canon?

A: Corruption in the Pali Canon refers to the introduction of passages or teachings that are not in line with the original teachings of the Buddha. This can occur through human error, cultural and linguistic changes, or the influence of later Buddhist schools and traditions.

Q: How can I identify corruption in the Pali Canon?

A: To identify corruption in the Pali Canon, you can look for passages or teachings that seem to be at odds with the principles of the Buddha's original teachings. You can also consult multiple translations and study the historical context in which the text was written.

Q: What are some examples of corruption in the Pali Canon?

A: Some examples of corruption in the Pali Canon include:

The concept of "self": In the Pali Canon, the concept of "self" is often described as a permanent and unchanging entity. However, this is at odds with the Buddha's original teachings, which emphasize the impermanence and non-self nature of all phenomena.
The role of the Buddha: In the Pali Canon, the Buddha is often depicted as a powerful and omniscient being, with supernatural powers and abilities. However, this is not in line with the Buddha's original teachings, which emphasize the importance of humility and the limitations of human knowledge.
The concept of "karma": In the Pali Canon, the concept of "karma" is often described as a system of rewards and punishments, with good deeds leading to good consequences and bad deeds leading to bad consequences. However, this is at odds with the Buddha's original teachings, which emphasize the importance of understanding the causes and conditions of suffering, rather than simply trying to avoid bad consequences.

Q: How can I critically evaluate the Pali Canon?

A: To critically evaluate the Pali Canon, you can use the following steps:

Read the original Pali texts: Read the original Pali texts in their entirety, rather than relying on translations or summaries.
Consult multiple translations: Consult multiple translations of the Pali Canon, including those that are based on the original Pali texts and those that are based on later Buddhist traditions.
Study the historical context: Study the historical context in which the Pali Canon was written, including the cultural, linguistic, and theological influences that may have shaped the text.
Engage in critical analysis: Engage in critical analysis of the Pali Canon, using your own judgment and discernment to evaluate the text and its teachings.

Q: What are some resources for further study?

A: Some resources for further study on the Pali Canon and corruption in the text include:

Books: "The Buddha's Teaching on the Mind" by Bhikkhu Bodhi, "The Heart of the Buddha's Teaching" by Nyanaponika Thera, and "The Heritage of the Bhikkhu" by Walpola Rahula.
Online resources: The Pali Canon online, the Buddhist Publication Society, and the Buddhist Society.
Scholarly articles: Articles by scholars such as Bhikkhu Bodhi, Nyanaponika Thera, and Walpola Rahula.

Q: How can I get involved in the discussion about corruption in the Pali Canon?

A: You can get involved in the discussion about corruption in the Pali Canon by:

Joining online forums: Join online forums such as Reddit's r/Buddhism and r/PaliCanon.
Attending conferences: Attend conferences and workshops on the Pali Canon and Buddhist studies.
Writing articles: Write articles and blog posts on the topic of corruption in the Pali Canon.
Engaging in critical analysis: Engage in critical analysis of the Pali Canon and share your findings with others.