Pakistan is a paradigm example of a failed state that has undergone an extremely dangerous form of radical Islamisation.
Prakrit and Pali Literature
Prakrit literature
Around 6th century BC, people of India were speaking and writing languages that
were much simpler than classical Sanskrit. These vernacular forms, of which
there were several, are called the Prakrits. Most of the literature generally
called Prakrit is devoted to Jainism . The sacred texts ( Siddhanta or Agama )
of the two main sects of the Jains employed three types of Prakrit. The oldest
sutras of the Svetambara sect are written in Ardha-Magadhi, while later books
are in Maharastri. The Svetambara canon, written in verse and prose, received
its final form in AD 454. The sacred books of the Digambara sect are written in
Savraseni. An important source of knowledge of Prakrit is the Sanskrit drama.
Kalidasa is included among many dramatists, who, in order to obtain a realistic
effect, had the common people in their plays speak in Prakrit.
Pali Literature
The term "Pali" denotes a set of sacred texts of the Buddhists. The nature of
literature in Pali language is basically religious and philosophical. Pali
literature has a rich collection of Buddhist texts and scriptures. The basic and
the most important part of the teachings of Buddha is called as "Tipitika". It
is said that most of the original teachings of Buddha are contained in Tipitika.
Still some people insist that Pali Tipitika has the original teachings of
Buddha. Read on further to know more about Pali language literature.
The 2500-year-old Theravada tradition is carefully preserved in Pali. It is
famously known as "Buddhavachana", which means words of Buddha. It is said that
the most genuine form of the teachings of Buddha are preserved in Pali
literature. The very foundation of Buddhism is contained in these texts and the
society takes maximum pains to make sure that they are carefully preserved. Pali
signifies the very tenet of Buddhism.
Pali is a very refined and pure language that was spoken during the early years
of 600-200 B.C. This was the time period of the Indo-Aryan era in the continent.
It was widely spoken by people not only in India but in neighboring countries as
well. Though it is not spoken in the contemporary world, it has left behind a
rich heritage of literature that is relevant to the socio-cultural environment
of not only India, but also countries like Thailand, Sri Lanka and other
neighboring countries.
