One of the “twelve branches of excellent speech.”

One among the twelve sections of scripture.

Literally, “foundation of the narrative.” One of the twelve aspects of the wheel of Dharma.

The introductory section of a sūtra or other Buddhist scripture that establishes the time and setting of the discourse.

In the Vinaya, a “narrative introduction” explains the who, why, when, and where behind each new monastic rule decreed by the Buddha. In the sūtras, the “narrative introduction” begins, “Thus did I hear at one time. The Blessed One was staying at…”

In the Vinaya, a “narrative introduction” explains the who, why, when, and where behind each new monastic rule decreed by the Buddha. In the sūtras, the “narrative introduction” begins, “Thus did I hear at one time. The Blessed One was staying at…”

One of the twelve branches of Buddhist scriptures.

One of the twelve branches of Buddhist scriptures.

Introductory part of a sūtra .

As one of the twelve aspects of the Dharma, it means the introductions to teachings.

See also “twelve wheels of the Dharma.”

Sixth of the twelve branches of the scriptures.

A genre of Buddhist literature or perhaps a component of the literature, the nidāna refers to the introductory chapter or frame story or even the opening formula or introductory part of the discourses. It is listed as one of the twelve types of Buddhist literature.

A term for the opening statement or introduction to a text.

The introductory sections of a sūtra. Literally it can mean “cause.” One of the nine aspects of the Dharma according to this sūtra. More commonly there are said to be twelve that include these nine.