The 'Vinaya Pitaka' dealt with _________.

Answer & explanation

Correct answer: option 3

The correct answer is Option (3) → Rules and regulations for those who joined the ‘sangha’ or monastic order.

Option (1) Gautam Buddha’s teachings. — Incorrect. The Buddha’s teachings were included in the Sutta Pitaka, the second of the three baskets.

Option (2) Regional history of Buddhism. — Incorrect. Regional histories of Buddhism were written later, as Buddhism travelled to new regions, in texts such as the Dipavamsa and Mahavamsa of Sri Lanka.

Option (3) Rules and regulations for those who joined the ‘sangha’ or monastic order. — Correct. The Vinaya Pitaka included the rules and regulations for those who joined the sangha or monastic order.

Option (4) Philosophical matter of Buddhism. — Incorrect. Philosophical matters were dealt with in the Abhidhamma Pitaka, the third basket.

NCERT (2026-27): “…These compilations were known as Tipitaka – literally, three baskets to hold different types of texts. They were first transmitted orally and then written and classified according to length as well as subject matter. The Vinaya Pitaka included rules and regulations for those who joined the sangha or monastic order; the Buddha’s teachings were included in the Sutta Pitaka; and the Abhidhamma Pitaka dealt with philosophical matters. Each pitaka comprised a number of individual texts. Later, commentaries were written on these texts by Buddhist scholars. As Buddhism travelled to new regions such as Sri Lanka, other texts such as the Dipavamsa (literally, the chronicle of the island) and Mahavamsa (the great chronicle) were written, containing regional histories of Buddhism.…”