A type of literary composition in of varying length. In Buddhism this mostly refers to canonical texts. Sutras is a Sanskrit term however the Pali term sutta is often used by certain traditions. The two terms are equivalent.
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26 views
Which case is “I am a professor” with identity view?
According to the Yamaka Sutta quoted below, a run-of-the-mill person thinks one of the following:
the form to be the self
the self as possessing form
the form as in the self
the self as in form
And ...
3
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2answers
45 views
Suttas on the 5 Precepts
I am looking for the suttas where the Buddha has preached about the 5 precepts. Also how it can lead you to Samadhi, Niravana and etc.
-Metta
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1answer
53 views
Definition of Sathpurisha
What is the definition of "Sathpurisa/Sathpurusha" according to the Buddha?
Please provide sutta references.
Metta.
3
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2answers
83 views
A person being enlightened by a non-enlightened
I have heard stories of non-enlightened monks preach dharma to ordinary people and those people would become enlightened (At least a stream-enterer).
Can I have any sources on these? Possibly any ...
1
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1answer
60 views
Is there a sutta which answers where a nirvanaised consciousnesses is after death and comapres it to a fire going out?
Is there a sutta which answers where a nirvanaised consciousnesses is after death and comapres it to a fire going out?
I thought there was, but can't find it. Sounds like Vacchagota mashed up with ...
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1answer
37 views
From which text is the quote by Buddha “My practice is the nonpractice, the attainment of nonattainment” taken?
I was reading an article on Tricycle written by Thich Nhat Hanh, in which he quotes Buddha as follows:
“My practice is the nonpractice, the attainment of nonattainment.”
From which text is this ...
3
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3answers
58 views
Kakacūpama Sutta and Mistress Vedehika
I'm not sure sure if this is opinion based or not but my question is. is it fair to judge Vedehika, poorly (and does the sutta really do this). It seems like she was pushed to the breaking point (...
2
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1answer
37 views
Is “the mind is without feature or surface, limitless, …” in the Pali canon?
in John Haspel's book, 'Becoming Buddha', the following quote is attributed to MN 11:
“Magandiya, when you hear the true Dhamma, ... When released from
clinging the mind is without feature or ...
3
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2answers
349 views
How should one be mindful of death?
Namo Budhaya.
In the Mindfulness of Death sutta Buddha says the following:
When this was said, the Buddha said to those mendicants: “The
mendicants who develop mindfulness of death by wishing to ...
2
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4answers
330 views
How to die professionally?
In this book Preparing to Die: Practical Advice and Spiritual Wisdom from the Tibetan Buddhist Tradition Lama Tharchin makes a powerful statement
Dharma is how we can come to die professionally.
...
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3answers
74 views
Sutta advice on obstacles and insults, similar to Epictetus' (Stoic) advice?
Lately, I have been reading (again!), more and more, the workings of the roman stoic philosopher Epictetus: and I think Buddhism and Epictetan Stoicism share a bunch of similarities; and I would now ...
2
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1answer
49 views
What are the Three Turnings of the Wheel of Dharma according to Tibetan Buddhism?
Tibetan Buddhists often talk about the Three Turnings of the Wheel of Dharma...
What are the Three Turnings of the Wheel of Dharma according to Tibetan Buddhism?
Where did they take place according ...
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2answers
98 views
Looking for mentions of karma related to actions taken while dreaming
I am looking for early mentions of the accumulation of karma while dreaming.
Here is what I've been able to find so far:
In The Large Sutra on Perfect Wisdom a discussion of accumulating karma in ...
4
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2answers
90 views
Earliest usage of “rope or snake” allegory in Buddhist literature?
The allegory of a rope being mistaken for a snake to explain subtle metaphysical points is widespread in Buddhist literature. In particular, Je Tsongkhapa uses this allegory many times in his works to ...
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1answer
63 views
Can you translate, from Pali, this sutta about Equanimity?
I have been trying to find out the meaning and nature of Equanimity or Upeksha.
I came across this Sutta which says something about Equanimity but it is in Pali.
Mahālomahaṃsacariya (Cp 35, i.e. ...
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0answers
31 views
How to develop Equanimity or Upeksha? [duplicate]
Namo Buddhaya.
This sutta asks for development of 7 factors of enlightenment including Mindfulness and Equanimity. Development of Mindfulness is described in detail but I couldn't find any sutta ...
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0answers
38 views
What is the explanation for the four types of enlightenment in Yuganaddha sutta? [duplicate]
"There is the case where a monk has developed insight preceded by tranquillity. As he develops insight preceded by tranquillity, the path is born. He follows that path, develops it, pursues it. As he ...
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4answers
171 views
Does MN9 imply a cyclic causation? How does it work?
The Nanamoli and Bodhi translation of MN9 states in 2 excerpts:
With the arising of the taints there is the arising of ignorance. With
the cessation of the taints there is the cessation of ...
2
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3answers
78 views
Importance of the first three Brahmaviharas in Theravadan Buddhism
So while reading a lot of teachings, especially "higher" teachings, a great deal is mentioned about dispassion in worldy things, unattractiveness in the body and various contemplations on death. It's ...
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3answers
53 views
Reference request: the ways of the world
I am looking for sutta text where the Buddha says something like...
The ways of the world will never be finished find your own salvation
with diligence...
Meaning, all the politics, hatered, war ...
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1answer
64 views
Girimananda sutta
The 10 perceptions in the sutta are meant to be meditated upon? Aniccasaññā is then not to be understood as empirical seeing the 3 characteristics, but contemplating on impermanence, right?
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1answer
93 views
What and why is “perception of the dimension of nothingness”?
This is a paragraph of Cula-sunnata sutta;
(Nothingness)
"Further, Ananda, the monk — not attending to the perception of the dimension of the infinitude of space, not attending to the ...
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5answers
65 views
Best study tools on the net or books
I currently don't have a teacher and I'm looking for good study guides for the sutta's. I mean I'm reading them but when it comes to interpretation often I'm at a loss. Is there a source(s) or book(s) ...
2
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1answer
33 views
What are the suttas in which the Buddha describes suffering as “burning”
I remember reading suttas in which the Buddha describes suffering, lust or other unwholesome mind states as burning. What are these suttas?
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2answers
95 views
What did the Buddha mean by “no truth can be spoken?”
What did the Buddha mean by "no truth can be spoken" in the Diamond Sutra?
4
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7answers
318 views
A concentrated monk discerns things as they actually are?
Samadhi Sutta
(Concentration)
[Translated from the Pali by Thanissaro Bhikkhu.]
“Develop concentration, monks. A concentrated monk discerns things as they actually are present...
Is this an accurate ...
2
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2answers
60 views
Taking Refuge in the Dhamma
Friends, having heard in many a Dhamma talk references being made to the permanence of the Dhamma as refuge, I am looking for suttas in the Pali Canon evoking that very theme of permanence of the ...
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0answers
39 views
Source describing the 24 qualities of a Buddhist follower (Santani?)
According to wikipedia, the twenty-four spokes of the Dharmachakra represent 24 virtues of an ideal Buddhist.
“The Buddha described the 24 qualities of ideal Buddhist followers, represented by the ...
3
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1answer
42 views
Tatramajjhattatā • Equanimity • In the middle of all that
Friends, could anybody direct me to some suttas of the pâli canon about Tatramajjhattatā, the developed form of the equanimous abiding 'in the middle of all that'.
To the best of my knowledge, this ...
4
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3answers
170 views
How do you understand Ananda Sutta?
How do you understand the Ananda Sutta?
How do you place it in relation to the Atman or Anatta (An-atman) doctrine?
SN 44.10
Then the wanderer Vacchagotta went to the Blessed One and, on arrival, ...
3
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4answers
84 views
How does the 2nd Noble truth explain the cause of suffering-as-suffering (e.g. resulting from a severe burn)?
I would like to ask question regarding the 4 Noble Truths. The second Noble Truth broadly speaking is that suffering is a result of craving, aversion and ignorance. I can see how this can been seen as ...
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2answers
101 views
Which branches of Buddhism acknowledge the Parable Sutra?
This Sutra, known in Chinese as 佛说譬喻经, has been translated into English by Charles Patton.
The Sutra makes a part of Taisho Tripitaka (Takakusu Junjiro's edition).
The text is known worldwide, also ...
2
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2answers
76 views
Arbitrary conception?
What does the Buddha mean by arbitrary conception in the Diamond Sutra?
Then the lord Buddha made his meaning even more emphatic by saying:
"Subhuti, when people begin their practice of seeking ...
3
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1answer
52 views
In what sutta/suttas did Buddha stated “I never admire samsara/bhava”?
I have read it somewhere and can't remember now. Buddha told Bhikkus that he never admires a disiple who stops his effort after attaining "sotapanna" state. He should still work hard until he is ...
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6answers
346 views
A person of integrity (Sappurisa Sutta)
In the Anguttara Nikaya 4.73, the Buddha said that a "person of integrity" possesses these four qualities:
when asked, does not reveal the other person's bad points and when pressed, speaks of the ...
2
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2answers
153 views
Are teaching on gratitude and “duty” nessesary?
Supreme Buddha once mentioned…
“These two people are hard to find in the world. Which two? The one who is first to do a kindness, and the one who is grateful and thankful for a kindness done.” — AN ...
3
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2answers
52 views
What is the sutta in which the Buddha described focusing the mind as similar to whittling?
I believe there is a sutta in which the Buddha uses an example of whittling or carving a piece of wood to describe the process of refocusing your mind in meditation. What is this sutta?
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2answers
58 views
References, Suttas, on the effects of rejecting (gifts)
Just wonder if there are explicitly teachings on cause and effect of rejecting gifts. What might be the effect of rejecting a pure gift? Maybe one or another Sutta may come to your mind and maybe you ...
0
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0answers
29 views
Sutta on the two kinds of (debt) giver, people of guṇā?
Thinking about the two kinds of goodness in giving, and about debt when we receive a gift (guṇā), my person just thought to ask if there is a Sutta which points the different kinds of debt to those ...
0
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3answers
130 views
What are Gandhari Charm and Manika Charm told by Buddha?
In the Kevatta Sutta, Buddha is explaining to Kevatta why he doesn't use miraculous powers for his teaching. And while telling about psychic power he tells:
Then the person without faith, ...
2
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1answer
64 views
When were Buddhist suttas written?
When were Buddhist suttas written?
Does anybody know any source with a compiled list of suttas and their approximate date of writing?
4
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2answers
332 views
Monks who are not worthy and worthy
I have seen certain suttas where the Buddha explains about the qualities of monks who are and who are not worthy of gifts, salutation and etc.
Where can I find the Suttas? References are appreciated.
4
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3answers
127 views
What is the phantom in the conclusion of the Diamond Sutra?
This is the version I am referring to:
Thus shall ye think of this fleeting world: A star at dawn, a bubble
in a stream; A flash of lightning in a summer cloud; A flickering
lamp, a phantom, ...
2
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2answers
56 views
The Vanishing of Greed, Hatred, and Delusion ~ Nyanatiloka
At the beginning of his talk, The Vanishing of Greed, Hatred, and Delusion, Ajahn Viradhammo reads verses about Nibbana from a translation by Nyanatiloka of a fragment of the Pali Canon, from the ...
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0answers
37 views
Does all Tibetan Buddhism classify the sutras in the same way?
Does all Tibetan Buddhism classify the sutras and sastras in the same way, or do specific schools elevate different Indian etc. texts?
I read about Chinese discussion about panjiao (doctrinal ...
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2answers
135 views
Cause and End of Suffering vs the Four Noble truths
I have heard that the Buddha once stated that he only teaches the cause of suffering and the end of suffering.
Can I have a Sutta reference for this?
What happened to the other two of the four noble ...
4
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2answers
222 views
Meditation technique to reduce/control pain/sorrow/loss
So I have been doing different meditation techniques to control/reduce different poisons(Klesha) of mind. Such as I do
Asuaba(Perception of Unattractiveness) for Lust
Perception of Loving Kindness (...
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3answers
97 views
Resources for Sutta study/discussion for beginners
What texts would you recommend for sutta discussion sessions, where a majority of the participants will be new to discussing suttas?
with metta
2
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1answer
44 views
Karma and the creation of the earth
I believe I've heard that the earth, after periodical destruction, comes into being because because beings with unexpiated karma exist - some of them will need to be born as humans, some as animals. ...
3
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2answers
63 views
Quicksands Simile?
I am looking for that very specific sutta in the Pâli Canons wherein it is made plain that such a one not having himself attained to liberation, is not qualified to liberate other. The simile, I think,...
