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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I'm trying to find a specific sutta I think
I remember there being a passage where a monk says to Buddha that he thinks the Sangha is at least 50 percent of the teaching and Buddha says something along the lines of 'it's all of it'. Can anyone ...
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5answers
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Did the Buddha according to the suttas mean anything else by the word “self” beyond simply the aspect of control/power?
It looks like according to [the Anatta-lakkhana Sutta][1] one aspect that is considered "self" by the Buddha is power or control. Why did he use the word "self" instead of just "complete control/power"...
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4answers
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Evidence of determinism in DN 2 Samaññaphala Sutta? Was the King already a faith follower?
Near the end of the Samaññaphala Sutta it says this:
"The king is incapacitated. Had he not killed his father — that righteous man, that righteous king — the dustless, stainless Dhamma eye would ...
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2answers
96 views
Accuracy of suttas [closed]
The suttas were as far as I heard transmitted orally, and it was only several hundred years later that the teachings were put on to paper. Now my questions:
i) Do you believe in every sutta? For ...
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1answer
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“Take joy! I am your guarantor for getting 500 dove-footed nymphs.”
The Nanda sutta seems contrary to what the Buddha teaches with regard to sensual desire. Therefore, I don't understand how this was a wise approach in the case of Nanda even though Nanda acquired ...
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6answers
154 views
If we consider 'kamma' as intention and habits, how are these transferred from a brain to next life when the brain breaks-up and cease to function?
According to the Pali Canon, how are intentions and habits passed on from one existence to another without any material support?
What do the texts tell us about rebirth and the transference of these ...
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5answers
97 views
Why do ignorance and intention have something to do with rebirth?
I have a lot of trouble dealing with rebirth, mostly because of my previous "skeptic" past. However, buddhism has helped me a lot to open my mind and to get detached from any point of view that might ...
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2answers
66 views
Perceiving or not perceiving?
My question is related to the quote below taken from Chapter 29 of The Diamond Sutra. Can you provide any references for other explanations for this quote or can you provide your own explanation?
“...
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4answers
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Can good karma, bad karma or neither good and bad karma arise or not arise from not doing?
"Not doing" in this sense is to mean the absence of any form of action that originates from thought (for instance physical form like speech, bodily movements) in such a way that reduces the physical ...
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2answers
40 views
Avataṃsaka Sutra in Sanskrit
I've recently begun reading up on the Avataṃsaka Sutra and was curious if anyone here is aware of any available Sanskrit text. Thank you.
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4answers
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Invalid logic in sutta AN 5.129?
WARNING: I don't hold the view explained in this question anymore and I think the view should not be held by anyone, because of it being dangerous. It's dangerous to think there are no consequences to ...
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3answers
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How different is “joy of ownership” in the Dīgha,jānu Sutta from clinging onto one's wealth?
In the Dīgha,jānu Sutta, accomplishment of diligence leads to the joy of ownership. Isn't "joy of ownership" just clinging onto one's wealth? What do other Buddhist schools say about this?
A possible ...
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61 views
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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3answers
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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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1answer
63 views
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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1answer
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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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1answer
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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
96 views
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
62 views
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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3answers
69 views
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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3answers
79 views
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
50 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 ...
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2answers
62 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
60 views
Definition of Sathpurisha
What is the definition of "Sathpurisa/Sathpurusha" according to the Buddha?
Please provide sutta references.
Metta.
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2answers
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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
65 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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2answers
63 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 ...
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3answers
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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
39 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 ...
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2answers
379 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 ...
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4answers
343 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
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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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1answer
63 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
107 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 ...
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2answers
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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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48 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
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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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56 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
81 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
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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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5answers
70 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) ...
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1answer
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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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332 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 ...
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2answers
66 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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54 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 ...
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1answer
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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 ...
