Nine categories of teachings

Nine categories of teachings (P. navaṅga; P. alt. pāvacana; S. navāṅga; T. gsung rab yan lag dgu; C. jiubu jing; J. kubu kyō; K. kubu kyŏng 九部經). Nine categories of teachings of the Buddha based on content, structure or literary style, according to the Pali tradition.

These nine categories are:

1. Sutta (S. Sūtra): prose discourses, especially short declarative discourses.
2. Geyya (S. Geya): mixed prose and verse discourse. Identified with the Sagāthāvagga of the Saṁyutta Nikāya
3. Veyyakarana (S. Vyākarana): explanation, analysis. Discourses in question and answer format.
4. Gāthā: verse
5. Udāna: inspired speech
6. Itivuttaka (S. Ityukta): fables
7. Jātaka: story of previous life
8. Abbhutadhamma (S. Abhutadharma): concerning wonders and miraculous events
9. Vedalla (S. Vaipulya) either 'extended discourses' or 'those giving joy' (cf Mahayana Texts)

An additional three categories are identified within some Sanskrit traditions:

1. Nidāna: in which the teachings are set within their circumstances of origin
2. Avadāna: tales of exploits
3. Upadesha: defined and considered instructions

See also

• Sutras