The Significance of Ultimate Realities from Theravada Perspective

The Lord Buddha's teachings over his 45 years of Buddhahood are compiled into three volumes referred to as the Tipitaka in Pali, meaning "Three Baskets." The initial collection, "Vinaya Pitaka," is recognized as the authoritative teaching (Anã-desana), wherein the Buddha established norms and regulations for the monks to follow. The second compilation is known as the "Sutta Pitaka." The Buddha elucidated his teachings employing accessible language, referred to as ordinary teaching (Vohara desana). The third compilation, "Abhidhammā Pitaka," represents the Buddha's final teaching (Paramattha desanã). The Buddha employed metaphorical language to elucidate Nibbana, the paramount objective of Buddhism, and paramattha, the ultimate facts of the universe.