Aṅguttaranikāya untranslated

Aṅguttaranikāya. The fourth division of the Suttapiṭaka, consisting of eleven nipātas (sections) and 9,557 Suttas (AN.v.361; DN­a.i.23; Gv.56). The Suttas are arranged in numbered lists, probably as aids to memory. Thus we find set out in order first the units, then the pairs, the triads etc., up to groups of eleven. This method of arrangement has evidently influenced the subject matter as well, for we seldom see any reasoned arguments. The lists are often curtly given and curtly explained (see also Hardy’s remarks, AN.v. introd. p.vii).

At the first Council Anuruddha was asked to be the custodian of this Nikāya of 120 bhāṇavāras and to read it to his pupils (DN­a.i.15; Mbv.94).

When the Buddha’s religion fades away, the first portion of the Suttapiṭaka to disappear will be the Aṅguttaranikāya from the eleventh section to the first, and in that order (MN­a.881).

It was also sometimes called Ekuttara. Mil. 392. It is worthy of note that the Ekottarāgama Sūtra of the Chinese is unlike the Aṅguttaranikāya (AN.i. introd. ix., n.4).

The Aṅguttaranikāya quotes the Pārāyaṇa, which is evidence of its late compilation (i.133 and 134; ii.45. For other quotations in and from the Aṅguttaranikāya see AN.v., introd. p.ix., nn. 3 and 4.) The Commentary to the Aṅguttaranikāya is called Manorathapūraṇī.