Do Buddhists have a bible

Answer 1

Generally, no.

But there are several smaller sects of Buddhism that embrace the teachings of Jesus as a spiritual master, and so in such cases the answer is a qualified yes.

Buddhism uses the Tipitaka. It is written in an ancient Indian language called Pali which is very close to the language that the Buddha himself spoke. The Tripitaka is a very large book. The English translation of it takes up nearly forty volumes. It is an important book but not a "Holy" book as that would imply that it was inspired by a deity.

As far as The Bible, it deals with another religious tradition ( Dravidian as opposed to Abrahamic) which has nothing to do with Buddhism and teaches nothing useful to Buddhist belief. Buddhism has no creator god, salvation, sin. commandments, saints etc., all of which seem to be central to Biblical teachings.

Answer 2

Buddhism does not have single authoritative text.

In the preface to Bhikku Bodhi's book, "In the Buddha's Words", the Venerable Tenzin Gyatso, the Fourteenth Dalai Lama writes, "After the Buddha's passing, a record of what he said was maintained as an oral tradition. Those who heard the teachings would periodically meet with others for communal recitations of what they had heard and memorized. In due course, these recitations from memory were written down, laying the basis for all subsequent Buddhist literature. The Pali Canon is one of the earliest of these written records and the only complete early version that has survived intact."

Venerable Bodhi later writes, "While in a literate culture in which systematic thought is highly prized the lack of such a text with a unifying function might be viewed as a defect, in an entirely oral culture-as was the culture in which the Buddha lived and moved-the lack of a descripitive key to the Dhamma would hardly be considered significant...The aim that united them in the process of learning-the process of transmission-was that of practical training, self-transformation, the realization of truth, and unshakable liberation of the mind."

Answer 3

Quite a few. (See Link) Answer: First you must understand that in its basic precepts Buddhism has no god(s).

This precludes any texts being sacred or given by god to man.

The texts which report on the discussions between the Buddha and his followers are simply records of meetings. They are not sacred as he was not a god only an enlightened man. Other texts are learned discussions and musing on the meanings of the teachings of the Buddha, again not "sacred" The texts listed at the link are worthy texts to reference, but do not hold the same "holiness" as a Christian would feel towards a Bible or a Moslem to the Qur'an.

Answer 4

Although Buddhists have many books which discuss Buddhist thought and practice there is no book that is seen in the same way as the Christians see their Bible. To a Christian the Bible is deity inspired in the same way that the Quran is an inspired book to the Muslim's. Buddhism has no deity so the texts are man developed (not divine)

Answer 5

Yes. It is called the Tipitika (Tripitika).

Answer 6

yes! you can find it in the app Worship

Answer 7

Yes, Buddhism has books of teachings or 'sacred texts' (most likely, scriptures) but no 'Bible'.

Answer 8

Yes