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.
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The Cula-suññata Sutta - Pali Canon and emptiness [duplicate]
I've closed the question. No need to answer
It's a sore and sensitive subject, emptiness.
The Cula-suññata Sutta: The Lesser Discourse on Emptiness.
What else is there in the Pali canon that has a ...
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Eclecticism in the Dhamma (as per AN 3.72; AN 3.65; MN 20)
“Those who teach a Dhamma for the abandoning of passion, for the abandoning of aversion, for the abandoning of delusion — their Dhamma is well-taught”.
(Ājīvaka Sutta; AN 3:72)
Does this verse ...
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What did the Buddha mean by “the stage beyond study” in the Shurangama Sutta?
The Buddha mentioned, "The stage beyond study", in chapter 5 of the Shurangama Sutta.
What did the Buddha mean by this?
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Satipathanna sutta in audio English (long version)
Can anyone direct me to the full audio version of the satipathanna sutta?
NOTE: I'm not looking for a guide or a talk just the plain sutta spoken clearly in English.
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Buddhist cannon database
s there an online database that either contains the Buddhist canon in either English or Chinese?
I've had a difficult time tracking down first hand sources other than the usual suspects (Heart Sutra, ...
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3answers
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Must one move through the various jhanas to realise nibbana?
Some of these jhanas are incredibly powerful but they have an opposite, that being emotional and mental upheaval and the dark nights.
Essentially, I realise that there are valuable insights to learn ...
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2answers
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Satipathanna Sutta and contemplating mind externally?
More specifically, Buddha informs the Kurus thus:
"Contemplating mind internally. Contemplating mind externally. Contemplating mind both internally and externally"
How is one to contemplate the mind ...
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Suttas which explain how to deal with unwholesome habits
Are there any suttas where the Buddha gives advice how to change one's behaviours, like eating addiction, mindless eating, addiction to entertainment, laziness and all that? Basically giving in into ...
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Source on the 4 types of ways to protect the 5 precepts
Recently I got to know that there are 4 types of ways to protect the 5 precepts.
Such as
You don't do it
You don't make others do it
You don't support others to do it
You don't praise and talk ...
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3answers
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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 ...
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2answers
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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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Definition of Sathpurisha
What is the definition of "Sathpurisa/Sathpurusha" according to the Buddha?
Please provide sutta references.
Metta.
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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 ...
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1answer
64 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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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 ...
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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 (...
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1answer
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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 ...
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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 ...
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4answers
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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
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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 ...
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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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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 ...
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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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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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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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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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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 ...
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3answers
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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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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
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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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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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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) ...
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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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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?
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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 ...
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2answers
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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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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 ...
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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 ...
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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, ...
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4answers
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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
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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 ...
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2answers
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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 ...
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1answer
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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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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 ...
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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 ...
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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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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 ...
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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 ...
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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, ...
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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?
