Questions tagged [sutras]
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.
323
questions
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1answer
60 views
What did the Buddha mean in AN 5.38 with the fifth benefit to a person of faith?
What did the Buddha mean in AN 5.38. when he said:
“Mendicants, a faithful gentleman gets five benefits. What five?
The good persons in the world show compassion first to the faithful, not so much to ...
0
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1answer
44 views
What is The Prediction as defined by the Mahayana tradition?
Please see this section taken from the wiki page titled Boddhisattva which might help you answer the question:
...what early Mahayana sutras like the Aṣṭa do is to help individuals
determine if they ...
2
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4answers
177 views
Music and Right Livelihood
A lay follower should not engage in five types of business i.e. business in weapon, human being, meat, intoxicant and poison. But there are many jobs can be considered harmful but not included in the ...
3
votes
3answers
178 views
What does it mean to be upright?
In karaniya metta sutta,
He who is skilled in (working out his own) well being, and who wishes to attain that state of Calm (Nibbana) should act thus: he should be dexterous, upright, exceedingly ...
1
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4answers
92 views
The Buddha and the act of smiling
Namo tassa Bhagavato Arahato Samma Sambuddhassa.
Even though it may at first hand appear to be a shallow subject and inquiry, I happen to find it of relevance to the practice and wondered about it.
...
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3answers
104 views
SN 35.116 - Is “the world” (“loka”) an objective reality perceived via the senses?
I read the following on the internet:
One perceives 'the world' through the senses - however the senses
themselves are in the world (lokasmiṃ). That does not imply the world
is a state of mind, but ...
0
votes
1answer
47 views
Is the Avatamsaka Sutra the only Buddhist scripture that talks about multiverse?
I know the Avatamsaka Sutra teaches about a multiverse flower garland, which represents all of reality, is made up of infinite universes which all reflect one another.
Is this the only scripture that ...
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2answers
126 views
In what sutta does the Buddha talk about Paccekabuddhas?
Question is in the title.
Thank you for your time.
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5answers
129 views
Among 9 jhanas which is deep sleep?
Please provide suttas
I plan to do a meditation until I can achieve the same experience as my deep sleep but I don't know whether it's the first jhana or even cessation of feeling and perception or ...
1
vote
2answers
55 views
What is the (middle length) sutta, where Buddha exposes a monk, who has an ignorant view of non-self?
In one sutta a monk was teaching, that there's something that is behind our existence, that is permanent (opposite of non-self). Buddha asked for this explicitely, got confirmed, and corrected the ...
3
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2answers
55 views
How are/would newly discovered Suttas (and Sutras) be dealt with?
How are/would newly discovered Suttas (and Sutras) be dealt with, specifically be they of content contradicting -- or even just differing slightly from -- previous material and/or for totally new, ...
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0answers
59 views
Do the enlightened not experience the results of their past karma? [duplicate]
Can buddha attain Nibbana without Devadatta's throwing a rock and hurting Buddha's foot?
I read somewhere that buddha redeem his past karma by getting hit from that stone hence my question
I am sorry ...
0
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1answer
52 views
Animal sacrifices mentioned in the suttas or vinaya?
Hindus believe that the Buddha opposed Vedic rites of animal sacrifice in his time, for example, on this page and on this page.
This apparently influenced later Hindus to abandon the practice of ...
4
votes
1answer
461 views
The One With the Brahmin Heckler
Does there exist such a sutta in which a brahmin pays a visit to the Buddha at his dwelling at Jeta's Grove with the sole intent to heckle, only to be met with silence and then brought to his senses ...
0
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2answers
64 views
all EBT sutta references to thina middha / sloth & torpor & drowsiness
I'm looking to collect all the major sutta references on the 3rd hindrance.
Help me complete the collection:
http://lucid24.org/sted/5niv/5niv3/index.html
What I have so far:
AN 5.78 5 future dangers
...
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2answers
50 views
Is there a list of (all the) Suttas that mention supranormal powers?
I know there are the miracles of the historical Buddha and the Samannaphala Sutta, but is there a comprehensive list of Suttas that mention supranormal power(s)?
1
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3answers
92 views
How to learn to trust one's fundamental goodness?
In this answer it says "Learning to trust one's fundamental goodness" is one of the way to practise seclusion.
I want to understand what this means in context of the question on Rhinocerous ...
3
votes
2answers
212 views
Scriptural evidence for the role and compatibility of polytheism within Buddhism?
First of all, I would like to clarify that I am extremely new to Buddhism, Hinduism and Indian philosophy in general. I do not particularly consider myself an adherent of any of these traditions. I am ...
4
votes
1answer
87 views
Help trying to find a sutta
One of the suttas where the Buddha is critical of a monk as not living the holy life the right way and at the same time by not disrobing missing out on the pleasures of the householder's life.
In ...
0
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1answer
67 views
Which Pali suttas describe the Buddha & monks demonstrating psychic powers to laypeople?
The suttas about the 32 marks of a great man, such as MN 91, appear to describe the Buddha used psychic power towards Brahmins however they do not appear to say the Brahmin layperson was cognizant of ...
3
votes
5answers
315 views
Which texts are the most important to read in the Khuddaka Nikaya and why?
My preference would be a Theravada based answer to the following question:
Which texts are the most important to read in the Khuddaka Nikaya and
why?
Thank you. :)
2
votes
2answers
68 views
Need help with finding a specific Sutta
I'm looking for a sutta wherein the Buddha explains how a person who only for a moment cultivates loving-kindness or mindfulness has not wasted his or her spiritual life.
What sutta is that?
Thank you ...
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6answers
487 views
How did this teleportation happen in DN 16?
In DN 16 it is written that:
"Then the Buddha came to the Ganges River.
Now at that time the Ganges was full to the brim so a crow could drink from it. Wanting to cross from the near to the far ...
2
votes
2answers
93 views
Help with finding a specific sutta
I'm looking for a sutta wherein the Buddha explains how beings we meet in this life (family, friends, animals etc.) have all been our parents, friends, loved ones, pets etc. in previous lives. What ...
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4answers
409 views
How is possible that monks memorised 10.000 sutras?
According to Wikipedia, in the Sutta Pitaka of the Pali canon there are 10.000 sutras.
According to tradition, Ananda recited by heart all 10.000 sutras after the death of Gautama and they have been ...
2
votes
3answers
63 views
What is 'vision externally' in AN8.66?
In AN 8.66 the Buddha says, "Not perceiving form internally, they see visions externally. This is the second liberation".
I am totally confused here. If by 'form' we mean body, how not to ...
2
votes
4answers
538 views
What is the most accurate translation of the word 'dukkha'?
This question is a sequel to my previous question about First Noble Truth.
It seems that there is discord about the exact rendering of the word 'dukkha'. Sorry if I sound like a pedantic dou*h. I am ...
2
votes
4answers
452 views
Good website for sutta learning?
There seems to be two prominant websites/translations for learning the suttas:
accesstoinsight.org
suttacentral.net
As I was going through DN15 I see that the translations of important words differ ...
1
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2answers
71 views
Looking for sutta reference on entering into Jhana
Following are the stages Ajahn Brahm mentions in his book Mindfulness, Bliss and Beyond, to enter in to Jhana.
Present moment awareness
Silent present moment awareness
Silent present moment awareness ...
3
votes
1answer
64 views
The Four Great References (AN 4.180)
This question refers to The Four Great References in Mahāpadesa Sutta (AN 4.180).
In each case, it ends with:
If they’re not included in the discourses and not found in the texts on
monastic ...
6
votes
4answers
708 views
How should one teach the Dhamma to others?
Answering questions here in buddhism.stackexchange.com is often Dhamma teaching, or at least an effort of it. How can that be rightly done?
2
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2answers
36 views
What are the sets of things in SN 1.44?
What are the sets of one, two, three, five and twelve things mentioned in the sutta below?
What does it mean?
From SN 1.44 (translated by Bhikkhu Sujato):
“One is the root, two are the whirlpools, ...
1
vote
1answer
32 views
Does the Lankavatara Sutra exist anywhere online in Tibetan script, Sanskrit (Devanagari), or Chinese?
Not sure what the earliest copy is we have of the Lankavatara Sutra, but wondering if it can be found online for free in copy/pastable text format (i.e. not PDF or image).
I am looking through The ...
3
votes
4answers
310 views
Can someone help me to find suttas on Self compassion
QN: I'm looking for Buddha's teachings on self compassion. (Especially for lay practitioners.)
There are few verses which can be found in Dhammapada:
He, who by good deeds covers the evil he has done,...
3
votes
3answers
158 views
A question about DN 23 and existence of soul
Here is a part of DN 23:
“Even though Master Kassapa says this, still I think that there’s no afterlife.”
“Can you prove it?”
“I can.”
“How, exactly, chieftain?”
“Suppose they were to arrest a bandit,...
4
votes
6answers
184 views
AN 7.64 kodhana (anger), case 3 of 7 unclear what is meant by “profit” or “loss”, and how exactly that sabotages what angry person wants
(pali + english, derived from b. Sujato trans.)
http://lucid24.org/an/an07/an07-v05/index.html#s64
(b. thanissaro eng. trans)
https://www.dhammatalks.org/suttas/AN/AN7_60.html
The passage in ...
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2answers
53 views
Sutta on which Buddha states the gravity of merits
What is the sutta where Buddha says about the order of merits as in for example "Observing the 5 precepts gives more merit than offering alms" and such.
4
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5answers
231 views
What is the “meditation on emptiness” in MN 121?
What is the "meditation on emptiness" in MN 121?
What does "emptiness" refer to in this sutta?
Also, what does "oneness dependent on the perception of ..." mean in this sutta?
“Indeed, Ānanda, ...
3
votes
7answers
191 views
Dhatu-vibhanga sutta question?
Why consciousness not discussed as internal and external in Dhathu-vibhanga sutta?
"And what is the space property? The space property may be either internal or external. What is the internal ...
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votes
3answers
87 views
Does the Foam Sutta (SN 22.95) say there are “no things” or, otherwise, discuss emptiness similar to Nagarjuna?
I read the following on the internet:
I think your saying that "Nagarjuna that purports there are no things"
was an oversimplification or misrepresentation -- conversely the quote
or summary ...
2
votes
4answers
138 views
Is Dhamma-thinking considered wise attention?
According to AN 5.73 (translated by Thanissaro Bhikkhu):
"Then there is the case where a monk takes the Dhamma as he has heard
& studied it and thinks about it, evaluates it, and examines it ...
3
votes
5answers
311 views
Why did Buddha use the 'Raft Simile'?
The Raft Simile says, in part:
I have taught the Dhamma compared to a raft, for the purpose of crossing over, not for the purpose of holding onto. Understanding the Dhamma as taught compared to a ...
2
votes
1answer
55 views
Like a fish in a puddle, what joy is there
For years I've been trying to find the source of a quote, but I've only been able to get so far.
The quote is "Like a fish in a puddle, what joy is there."
This seems to come from some verses ...
2
votes
7answers
275 views
What did Buddha mean by the words “tranquillising the bodily formation” in the Anapanasati Sutta?
“Here a bhikkhu, gone to the forest or to the root of a tree or to an empty hut, sits down; having folded his legs crosswise, set his body erect, and established mindfulness in front of him, ever ...
2
votes
2answers
72 views
Which Sutta? Karma of unknowingly doing evil is worse than knowingly doing evil
Which Sutta? Karma of unknowingly doing evil is worse than knowingly doing evil.
Which Sutta(s) talk about this, hopefully in more detail than I can remember?
The subject is karmic consequence, and ...
0
votes
6answers
187 views
What is the common understanding of all enlightened people?
There are many sutras and they are on different topics. Many people got enlightened by asking different sutras. Ven. Saripuththa thero got sothapanna by asking to cause and effect. Ven. Kondanna thero ...
1
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2answers
81 views
Infinity, eternity, countlessness in Buddhism
I'm interested in concepts of infinity, eternity, countlessness, etc. in Buddhist thought.
Could you please help me out with sources, both primary and secondary, where these concepts are used?
I ...
0
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2answers
50 views
Relaxation vs Laziness
In karniyametta sutta, Lord Buddha advised us to be relaxed and not to cling to the work.
How can I recognise relaxation from laziness ?
4
votes
4answers
2k views
Does the Buddha deny genetic differences?
In MN.98, the Buddha seems to deny the ethnic/racial/genetic differences between humans. He seems to indicate that differences in physical traits between individuals are not determined by birth as in ...
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3answers
91 views
How do you understand the Cakkavatti Sutta?
https://suttacentral.net/dn26/en/sujato
How could humans have lived 80 000 years in the past? And how could we live 10 years in the future, with people reaching sexual maturity at five, when life ...
