Expert: Joe McSorley - 7/27/2006

Question
hi id like to know what language did the first buddhists speak? are there certain "bibles"? and in what language are they written?

Answer
Hi Diane,
  I would think that the first Buddhists spoke Pali, the language before Sanskrit as I understand it. Most of the early texts are written in Pali or Sanskrit but there is no bible in Buddhism or one Buddha.  The historical Buddha, Siddhartha, was one of many Buddha's or enlightened ones.  No one person or teaching can hold claim to reality, we all must awaken to it ourselves, so it is not like other religions.  There are many sutras or essays that Buddhism uses but none you would consider a bible.  They are more treatises on what true reality is and insights on how to awaken to it.
 Take care,
       Joe