Nine categories of teachings

Nine categories of teachings (P. navaṅga [alt. pāvacana]; S. navāṅga; T. gsung rab yan lag dgu; C. jiubu jing; J. kubu kyō; K. kubu kyŏng 九部經) refers to an early list of nine categories of the teachings of the Buddha, according to the Pali tradition. The categories (aṅga) in this list are commonly said to be based on content, structure or literary style. Bhikkhu Sujato suggests that it is possible that these groupings referred to specific groups of texts in the early (pre-sectarian) period of Buddhism.

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 a previous life of the Buddha
8. Abbhutadhamma (S. Abhutadharma): concerning wonders and miraculous events
9. Vedalla (S. Vaipulya) either 'extended discourses' or 'those giving joy' (cf Mahayana Texts)

Three additional categories are identified in the Sanskrit tradition, for a total of twelve categories of teachings. The three additional categories are:

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

• Twelve categories of teachings
• Sutras

Sources

• Buswell, Robert E.; Lopez, Donald S. (2014), The Princeton Dictionary of Buddhism, Princeton University 
• Sujato, Bhikkhu (2012), A History of Mindfulness (PDF), Santipada