Q. In which language were the Buddhist literary works generally written?
Early Buddhist literary works β including the Tipitaka (Tripitaka) β were generally written in Pali, which was the language of the common people in ancient India.
Prakrit was also used in some Buddhist texts, but Pali became the main canonical language of TheravΔda Buddhism.
Sanskrit was later adopted for Mahayana Buddhist texts, but the earliest and most widely preserved works are in Pali.
Explanation by: Mr. Dubey
Early Buddhist literary works β including the Tipitaka (Tripitaka) β were generally written in Pali, which was the language of the common people in ancient India.
Prakrit was also used in some Buddhist texts, but Pali became the main canonical language of TheravΔda Buddhism.
Sanskrit was later adopted for Mahayana Buddhist texts, but the earliest and most widely preserved works are in Pali.