Originally posted by ros
It is my understanding that the texts were first written down somewhere between the 1st century B.C.E. and 5th century C.E., many centuries after the time of Buddha. Various claims are made, however, for the accuracy of the oral traditional in between. Some works are considered to have been written down earlier than others, and various "Council" over the centuries set to the task of compiling and editing.
http://ebudhaindia.com/india/buddhistcouncil.htm
In any case, the Pali Canon was also, over the centuries, subject to various reformulations and modifications according to changing orthodoxy, not unlike what occurred in the process of standardization of the Old and New Testaments of the Bible ... with certain texts excluded on doctrinal grounds.
For a scholar's treatment of these issues, please see the following fairly recent article (especially Section II, which begins on p. 76).
In our Zen View, the Buddha's words can be realized right in a moment of Zazen.
Gassho, Jundo
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