Significance of Theragatha

Theragatha, according to Mahayana, refers to a collection of verses that highlight the stories and struggles of early Buddhist monks, including significant events such as Cudapanthaka's life and experiences of the Theras (Elders), as well as reflections from monks. In Theravada, it also denotes a similar collection, focusing on the teachings and extraordinary feats of Theras such as Moggallana. Overall, Theragatha encompasses various narratives and insights from the early Buddhist tradition.

Synonyms: Therigatha, Scripture, Pali scriptures

The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.

Buddhist concept of 'Theragatha'
Buddhism Books

The Theragatha in Buddhism is a collection of verses that captures the stories and teachings of early monks, highlighting their struggles and realizations, including notable figures like Moggallana and Cudapanthaka, within the Pali canon.

Significance in Theravada (major branch of Buddhism):
Theravada Books

Theravada is a major branch of Buddhism having the the Pali canon (tipitaka) as their canonical literature, which includes the vinaya-pitaka (monastic rules), the sutta-pitaka (Buddhist sermons) and the abhidhamma-pitaka (philosophy and psychology).

From: A Discourse on Paticcasamuppada

(1) A saying in the Theragatha indicates the arahat's state of having neither the wish to die nor the wish to live.[1]

From: Vinaya Pitaka (1): Bhikkhu-vibhanga (the analysis of Monks’ rules)

(1) The Theragatha and its Commentary speak of six boys as each one having gone forth, with his parent’s consent, at the age of seven, an action which must antedate the Vinaya ruling.[2]

From: Dhammapada (translated from the Pali)

(1) Stanzas of monks within the Khuddaka-nikaya. It is part of the Khuddaka-nikaya.[3] (2) The Theragatha is a collection of verses by the elder monks, included in the Khuddaka-nikaya.[4]

From: Maha Buddhavamsa—The Great Chronicle of Buddhas

(1) The text also refers to the Commentary on this, which is another source used to describe the story of the brothers Tapussa and Bhallika.[5] (2) A collection of verses or teachings related to the Theras, which includes references to Moggallana's extraordinary feats and encounters.[6]

From: Guide to Tipitaka

(1) Poetic verses describing the achievements of male Arahats, reflecting their moments of triumph.[7]

Significance in Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism):
Mahayana Books

Mahayana is a major branch of Buddhism focusing on the path of a Bodhisattva (spiritual aspirants/ enlightened beings). Extant literature is vast and primarely composed in the Sanskrit language. There are many sutras of which some of the earliest are the various Prajnaparamita sutras.

From: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra

(1) A collection of verses within the Pali canon that recounts the stories of the Theras (Elders), including the story of Nitha.[8] (2) A main text mentioning events regarding Cudapanthaka's life in the form of verses.[9] (3) A collection of verses attributed to early Buddhist monks, highlighting their stories, struggles, and realizations.[10]

The concept of Theragatha in scientific sources
Science Books

Theragatha is a text containing similes that express feelings of religious wandering. The early arahant Talaputa Thera exemplifies this, with his experiences as an eremitic monk.

Significance in Religious Studies:
Religion Books

From: Religions Journal (MDPI)

(1) A text featuring similes that articulate sentiments of religious wandering, exemplified by the eremitic early arahant Talaputa Thera.[11]