The Pali Canon, also known as the Tipitaka, is the traditional scripture of Theravada Buddhism. It is written in the Pali language and consists of three "baskets" or sections: the Vinaya Pitaka (rules for monastic discipline), the Sutta Pitaka (discourses of the Buddha), and the Abhidhamma Pitaka (philosophical and doctrinal analysis). The Pali Canon is considered one of the earliest complete collections of Buddhist teachings, preserving the teachings attributed to Gautama Buddha. It serves as a foundational text for many Buddhist communities, guiding their practices and beliefs.