Consider the following statements in the context of Buddhist literature:

1. None of the Buddha’s speeches were written down during his lifetime.

2. Buddha's teachings were compiled as Vinaya Pitaka.

3. The rules and regulations for the members of sangha were laid down in Sutta Pitaka.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 

Solution

Lord Buddha taught orally – through discussion and debate. Men and women (perhaps children as well)  attended these discourses and discussed what they heard. None of the Buddha’s speeches were written down during his lifetime. Hence, statement 1 is correct. After his death (5th-4th century BCE) his teachings were compiled by his disciples at a council of  “elders” or senior monks at Vesali or Vaishali. The Vinaya Pitaka included rules and regulations for those who joined the sangha or monastic  order. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.