One of the fifteen books of the Khuddaka Nikáya, generally placed last in the list. It contains tales in metrical verse of the Buddha's previous births, chiefly setting forth the ten páramí, by which he attained Enlightenment. Each story is called a Cariyá. The stories told here in verse are parallel to the corresponding Játaka stories in prose, and pre-suppose a familiar acquaintance with all the incidents of the prose tales. The first two páramí are illustrated by ten stories each, while the remaining páramí have only fifteen stories between them.
The Dígha-bhánakas refused to include the Cariyápitaka in their canonical books, but it was accepted by the Majjhima-bhánakas (DA.i.15, 23).
There exists a Commentary on the Cariyápitaka which is ascribed to Dhammapála and which forms a part of the Paramathadípaní. (Published in the Hewavitarane Bequest Series, vol.xxvi.; 1929).
According to the Commentary (CypA.1, 2), the Cariyápitaka was preached by the Buddha at the Nigrodháráma, after the conclusion of the Buddhavamsa and at the request of Sáriputta.
It was preached by Mahinda at the Nandanavana in Anurádhapura, soon after his arrival in Ceylon (Dpv.xiv.45; but see Mhv.xv.179).