On the day of his parinirvana, the Buddha reminded his disciples that the dharma teachings had been imparted in twelve aṅgas, or branches, each a means of evoking a different response and realization.

1. Sūtra. Discourses on a single topic. Seeing ten advantages of this type of teaching, the Buddha often taught in this way. Sutra teachings are well-suited for presenting a single topic; they easily evoke the listener's response, they increase respect for the dharma, supporting the rapid application of the teachings to one's life, they enable the teachings to penetrate deeply, they inspire serene joy based on faith in the Buddha, faith in the Dharma, and faith in the Sangha; they support supreme happiness even in this lifetime; they please the minds of the wise through exegesis; and they are recognized as extremely wise.
2. Geya. Discourses in verse. These are the stanzas often found at the beginning or end of a sutra. Sometimes an idea not discussed within the sutra will be explicated in verse.
3. Vyākaraṇa. Prophecies. Thse are discussions of the past lives and future possibilities of the assembly of the Sangha. They serve to clarify points presented in a sutra.
4. Gāthā. Verse summaries. These teachings are given in metred verse within sutras. They recapitulate the main themes and are easy to remember.
5. Udāna. Words spoken not to instruct particular individuals but to maintain the dharma. These teachings are said to have been spoken by the Buddha with a very joyful heart.
6. Nidāna. Explanations following a specific incident. In these teachings, the Buddha gives a principle or guideline and explains the reason for it.
7. Avadāna. Life stories of buddhas, bodhisattvas, disciples, and various individuals.
8. Itivṛttaka. Historical accounts such as genealogies.
9. Jātaka. Accounts of previous lives of the Buddha.
10. Vaipulya. Lengthy sutras with complex organisation. These include the sutras of the Mahayana, with teachings that are especially profound and vast.
11. Abidhutadharma. Accounts of wondrous accomplishments of the Buddha, the disciples, and the bodhisattvas.
12. Upadeśa. Topics of specific knowledge. These are exact, profound, and subtle instructions on the nature of reality.

Sūtra, geya, vyākaraṇa, gāthā, and udāna teachings make up the sutra collection of the Three turnings | First Turning. The aṅgas of vaipulya and abidhutadharma appear in the Three turnings | Second and Three turnings | Third Turning teachings. These express the extensive vision and wondrous accomplishments of the buddhas and bodhisattvas.<ref>Ways of Enlightenment, Dharma Publishing pages 27-28</ref>

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From Ways of Enlightenment by Dharma Publishing

Twelve Branches of Scripture

1. Single topic discourses
2. Discourses in verse
3. Prophecies
4. Verse summaries
5. Spoken to maintain the dharma
6. Guidelines following a specific incident
7. Life stories
8. Historical accounts
9. Previous lives of the Buddha
10. Long complex sutras
11. Wondrous acts
12. Topics of specific knowledge

The Princeton Dictionary of Buddhism;

1. Discourses
2. Aphorisms in mixed prose and verse
3. Prophetic teachings or expositions
4. Verses
5. Utterance or meaningful expressions
6. Framing stories or episodes
7. Heroic tales or narratives
8. Fables
9. Tales of previous lives
10. Marvellous events
11. Catechisms or works of great extent
12. Instructions

Gyurme Dorje, in his translation of Indo-Tibetan Classical Learning and Buddhist Phenomenology:

1. Discourses
2. Aphorisms in prose and verse
3. Prophetic declarations
4. Verses
5. Proverbs or meaningful expressions
6. Legends or frame stories
7. Extensive teachings
8. Tales of past lives
9. Marvelous events
10. Narratives
11. Fables
12. Established instructions

Category of Twelve Branches of the Teachings Texts Category of Canon Category of Literary Genres Category of Enumerations Category of 12-Twelve