Pali and Sanskrit

The Languages of Early Buddhism

When we think about Early Buddhist texts, two languages immediately come to mind: Pali and Sanskrit. These ancient languages not only shape the structure and style of the teachings but also preserve the essence of the Buddha’s words. Understanding their unique roles and characteristics offers us deeper insight into the Dharma and a richer appreciation for the cultural and historical context of Buddhism.

Why Two Languages?

The Buddha himself spoke in a regional dialect, and his teachings were orally transmitted for centuries before being committed to writing. As Buddhism spread, different regions began recording the teachings in languages familiar to their communities. This gave rise to the Pali Canon, also known as the Tipiṭaka, and Sanskrit Buddhist texts, including Mahayana and Vajrayana scriptures. But why these two languages in particular?

• Pali: The Theravāda tradition adopted Pali, a Middle Indo-Aryan language. Pali served as a linguistic vehicle to faithfully preserve the earliest …