Āgama (Buddhism)
The Sanskrit word āgama means sacred work or scripture, according to Monier-Williams' 1899 dictionary. This term refers to a collection of early Buddhist discourses preserved primarily in Chinese translation. Scholars use the word to describe texts that correspond to the first four Nikāyas of the Pali Canon. These sutras represent teachings from early Buddhist schools that had different recensions of each text. The Theravada tradition uses nikāya instead of āgama for their canonical collections. Large parts of the Anguttara nikāya and Samyutta nikāya do not appear in the āgama versions. Several individual suttas show dissimilar content between the two traditions. Modern scholars like Brough have contested traditional views about the authenticity of these texts.
Jens-Uwe Hartmann notes that at least four early schools maintained distinct recensions of four of the five Prakrit Sanskrit āgamas. The Sarvāstivāda, Kāśyapīya, Mahāsāñghika, and Dharmaguptaka schools all produced different versions. Contemporary scholars compare these texts to identify possible changes and root phrasings. Some differences suggest alternative meanings to accepted interpretations of specific sutras. A comparison of Sarvāstivādin, Kāśyapīya, and Theravadin texts reveals considerable consistency despite unique elements in each recension. More than two-thirds of suttas found in one compilation may not exist in another. This disparity suggests portions of the Sūtra Pițaka formed relatively late according to Keown's analysis. Scholars triangulate Pali Canon texts with āgamas to make inferences about pre-sectarian materials.
A complete version of the Dīrgha Agama was translated by Buddhayaśas and Zhu Fonian during the Late Qin dynasty in 413 CE. The Madhyama Agama translation occurred under Sañghadeva in the Eastern Jin dynasty between 397-398 CE. Guñabhadra completed a Chinese translation of the Sañyukta Agama during the Song state from 435-443 CE. An incomplete Chinese translation of the Sañyukta Agama came from around the Three Qin period between 352-431 CE. Dharmanandi translated the Ekottara Agama while Gautama Sañghadeva edited it in 397-398 CE. Small portions of all four main collections have recently been discovered in Sanskrit. Portions of four of the five agamas survive in Tibetan translation. A Dictionary of Buddhism published in 2004 documents these preservation efforts across dynasties and languages.
Four extant collections exist as complete texts, with one collection known only through references and fragments. The Dīrgha Agama contains thirty sūtras compared to thirty-four suttas in the Theravada version. The Madhyama Agama includes two hundred twenty-two sūtras against one hundred fifty-two in the Pali Majjhima Nikāya. The Sañyukta Agama corresponds directly to the Theravada school's connected discourses. The Ekottara Agama differs most significantly from its Theravada counterpart according to Keown's analysis. More than two-thirds of sutras appear in one compilation but not the other. The Kśudraka Agama existed in some schools though Sarvāstivāda recognized only four āgamas. Fourteen texts from this minor collection survive in Chinese translation alongside Gandhari fragments. Some scholars suggest the Dharmaguptaka preferred calling it a Kśudraka Pițaka instead.
Modern academic methodologies triangulate texts to assess authenticity of various recensions. Brough's 2001 methodology involves comparing Pali Canon texts with agamas to infer pre-sectarian materials. Norman's 1983 work examines Pali literature including canonical literature in Prakrit and Sanskrit. Nandajoti's 2004 study focuses on specific sutras like the Uraga Sutta. Ichimura translated the Canonical Book of Buddha's Lengthy Discourses between 2016-2017. Enomoto Fumio published research on formation of original texts in Buddhist Study Reviews in 1986. Wang Jianwei and Jin Hui published their Collation and Annotation of Sañyuktāgama in 2014 at East China Normal University Press. These scholars use multiple sources to determine historical accuracy of early Buddhist teachings.
Common questions
What does the Sanskrit word āgama mean according to Monier-Williams' 1899 dictionary?
The Sanskrit word āgama means sacred work or scripture, according to Monier-Williams' 1899 dictionary. This term refers to a collection of early Buddhist discourses preserved primarily in Chinese translation.
When was the complete version of the Dīrgha Agama translated by Buddhayaśas and Zhu Fonian?
A complete version of the Dīrgha Agama was translated by Buddhayaśas and Zhu Fonian during the Late Qin dynasty in 413 CE. The Madhyama Agama translation occurred under Sañghadeva in the Eastern Jin dynasty between 397-398 CE.
Which four early schools maintained distinct recensions of four of the five Prakrit Sanskrit āgamas?
At least four early schools maintained distinct recensions of four of the five Prakrit Sanskrit āgamas. The Sarvāstivāda, Kāśyapīya, Mahāsāñghika, and Dharmaguptaka schools all produced different versions.
How many suttas are included in the Madhyama Agama compared to the Pali Majjhima Nikāya?
The Madhyama Agama includes two hundred twenty-two sūtras against one hundred fifty-two in the Pali Majjhima Nikāya. More than two-thirds of sutras appear in one compilation but not the other.
Who published research on the formation of original texts in Buddhist Study Reviews in 1986?
Enomoto Fumio published research on formation of original texts in Buddhist Study Reviews in 1986. Wang Jianwei and Jin Hui published their Collation and Annotation of Sañyuktāgama in 2014 at East China Normal University Press.