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.
253
questions
2
votes
4answers
1k views
Did the Buddha ever refute the view of “extreme metaphysical nihilism” e.g. a view that “nothing is real”?
Important note: I am only using the word "real" only in the sense of meaning "exists and is not an illusion".
I am defining "extreme metaphysical nihilism" as the belief that "nothing is real".
I ...
0
votes
4answers
86 views
SN 22.62: What is meant by “scope of language”?
What is the message of this sutta?
At Sāvatthī.
“Mendicants, there are these three scopes of language, terminology,
and descriptions. They’re uncorrupted, as they have been since the
...
3
votes
2answers
76 views
The World and Five Aggregates of Clinging
As I've heard, the "world" referred by Buddha (mentioned in the Loka Sutta and in Samyutta Nikaya - 4 -> LokaSamudaya Sutta) is the same as "Five Aggregates of Clinging" (Five-Updana-Skandas).
That's ...
1
vote
3answers
92 views
How & why can sexual intentions be harmful to others?
MN 19 says:
And as I remained thus heedful, ardent, & resolute, thinking imbued
with sensuality arose in me. I discerned that 'Thinking imbued with
sensuality has arisen in me; and that ...
4
votes
3answers
73 views
In which suttas does The Buddha cover annihilationism (ucchedavāda)?
Given what I assume was the predominant view of the time, I would not be surprised if there are many Suttas that deal explicitly with resurrection (as opposed to rebirth which seems to be a more ...
4
votes
7answers
223 views
Is there a real difference between “not-self” and “no self”, and if so, which one is correct?
Just in case someone is interested, this is a question based on this thread, but it's not necessary to read such discussion to understand and answer this question.
I'd like to know about the ...
5
votes
4answers
130 views
Does any sutta talk about the right conditions for teaching the Dhamma?
I've read in other posts (such as this one) about the right way to teach the Dhamma.
But is there a way to know about the "when", i.e. when to reach out someone else to teach the Dhamma?
In specific,...
3
votes
2answers
89 views
Majjhima Nikaya 152 Indriyabhāvana Sutta
In this sutta, the Buddha teaches how different people should approach sense-restraint. Here, the enlightened ones can perceive objects in a different light (positively, negatively or dwelling in ...
1
vote
1answer
102 views
Is there really a story in the Pali Canon about a layman running away from home AFTER having attained arahantship?
Today I stumbled upon a thread on Reddit. Deep down in the comments, I saw someone make the following claim:
My personal opinion is probably they [lay arahants] will run away from society and die ...
1
vote
4answers
68 views
Reference for the teaching of not-self
I have heard in the past a kind of argument to show that there is no self along the lines of: are you your body? No, your cells regenerate all the time. Are you your emotions? No, they come and go. ...
6
votes
6answers
2k views
Is it possible for absolutely everyone to attain enlightenment?
As seen in the title of this question, I'm not sure whether everyone is able to attain enlightenment.
As far as my study and introspective analysis have shown to me, it seems that in order to uproot ...
1
vote
4answers
98 views
Which sutras are most directly relevant to the virtue of courage?
If I want to read through the origins of western (really, Greek) thought about the virtue we generally call courage, I know exactly where to go: Laches, Republic, Nicomachean Ethics, etc. Meanwhile, ...
2
votes
2answers
31 views
Sutta request: dedication of offerings in another ones name
This is a request for sutta references.
I'd like to know the sutta's that describe how one can dedicate offerings in the name of a dearly departed one so that (s)he can, hopefully, have a better ...
6
votes
3answers
101 views
What is meant by “No limiting action remains there”? MN 99
In the discourse on the four Divine Abodes, what is meant by "... no limiting action remains there, none persists there."
Here a bhikkhu abides pervading one quarter with a mind imbued with
...
0
votes
3answers
61 views
Is divination for fun acceptable?
I recently read an answer on here referencing a sutra that states "animal arts" such as performing any form of divination constitutes wrong livelihood which should be abstained from. What I'm ...
1
vote
1answer
44 views
Sutta references
I have read a sutta where the Buddha says that there are elements from other religions in his dharma and certain elements from his dharma in other religions as well.
I'm looking for that sutta.
2
votes
3answers
199 views
What's the relation between feelings of neither-pleasure-nor-pain and ignorance?
I often see in some suttas that there are some habitual tendencies that, after the arising of pleasent feeling or painful feelings, lead to suffering due to passion for the pleasure and aversion for ...
3
votes
5answers
293 views
Comparing Chinese Agama the ? Bundles of Reeds Simile with Pali Nalakalapiyo Sutta
In commenting a post, I have just been introduced to the "two bundles of reeds leaning up against each other" Sutta. The comments have just been moved to chat and I hope it would be kept for awhile ...
2
votes
4answers
67 views
Recommendation for Suttas
I have been practising Vipassana for quite a while (2 and half years). Now, I want to also dwell into the teachings of Buddha as presented in Suttas and apply those teaching in my everday life. I have ...
7
votes
5answers
1k views
Buddhism on We are all one
As explained here Buddhism does no belong into pantheism because God can be interpreted no as oneness but a creation of the mind as the fourth aggregate explains (eg. "an invisible man who lives in ...
2
votes
1answer
78 views
What religious texts would help me understand the fundamentals Buddhism better? [duplicate]
I was raised in an area where the usual answer to the question of what Buddhism is was "I don't know, hippy stuff", and any religion outside Christianity was considered "the work of Satan".
That said,...
2
votes
0answers
42 views
I'm looking for the translation of the Dharmaskanda Sutra
Where can I get the English translation of the Dharmaskanda Sutra or at least the original text?
0
votes
2answers
50 views
What does 'Not percipient of form internally' in Salayatana Sutta mean?
In the Salayatana Sutta in the last paragraph it says;
Not percipient of form internally, he/she sees forms externally. This is the second direction.
What does this mean? Does it mean you do not ...
2
votes
2answers
69 views
I'm looking for a sutta which mentions nationalism
I remember a sutta which uses the word "nationalism" in reference to a taint to be removed. It was the last in a certain sequence of taints. I think i read it on access to insight.
However, when i ...
0
votes
3answers
158 views
How does Buddhism deal with psychopaths & serial killer
What do the suttas say about such people? Surely they're acting on their ignorance (dependent origination), but can't they make use of restraint/self control?
Is there no penalization in such cases ...
1
vote
1answer
56 views
Diamond Sutra in Tibetan, Sanskrit, and/or Japanese
Does anyone know where I can find a version of the Diamond Sutra that is in one of these three formats:
Classical Tibetan with Romanized Tibetan and English
Devangari with Romanized Sanskrit and ...
0
votes
4answers
152 views
What motivates a fully awakened person in a loving relationship?
Loving relationship here is meant specifically as a mutually intimate partnership like husband and wife and boyfriend and girlfriend. There would be the case where one would become fully awake and ...
2
votes
1answer
135 views
Are there other things like life?
In this text SN 56.46 Andhakara Sutta: Darkness, the Buddha seems to say, in my opinion, that life is much more stressful than black holes.
And I think life is an anomaly in this universe just like ...
2
votes
1answer
78 views
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 ...
3
votes
5answers
206 views
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"...
0
votes
4answers
65 views
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 ...
-1
votes
2answers
113 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 ...
2
votes
1answer
77 views
“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 ...
2
votes
6answers
176 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 ...
2
votes
5answers
121 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 ...
2
votes
2answers
73 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?
“...
1
vote
4answers
114 views
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 ...
1
vote
2answers
76 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.
0
votes
4answers
329 views
Invalid logic pertaining to karma in sutta AN 5.129?
WARNING: I don't hold the views explained (i.e. I don't hold the view that if one does some violent action/s that there are not consequences for one for doing the violent action/s. I don't hold the ...
3
votes
3answers
87 views
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 ...
0
votes
0answers
78 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 ...
0
votes
3answers
51 views
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 ...
1
vote
1answer
66 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?
1
vote
1answer
36 views
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.
1
vote
1answer
50 views
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, ...
2
votes
3answers
109 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 ...
2
votes
2answers
72 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 ...
2
votes
3answers
83 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 ...
1
vote
3answers
82 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 ...
2
votes
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 ...
