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.
379
questions
6
votes
3
answers
615
views
Two unconditioned dhammas?
In A history of Indian Buddhism: From Sakyamuni to Early Mahayana, Professor Hirakawa states:
Both nirvana and space were considered to be unconditioned dharmas. This fundamental classification of ...
user382
10
votes
9
answers
445
views
Does sutta recitation actually entail understanding of the text?
I'm particularly interested in
Chinese morning and evening service
Tibetan sadhanas that a monk recites every day
Theravada Pali suttas and chants
Are these read in modern times by and to an ...
- 7,081
15
votes
15
answers
5k
views
Will actors really go to hell?
In the Talaputta Sutra, the Buddha says that actors will either be reborn as an animal or go to hell.
When an actor on the stage, [he thinks that] after death, he is reborn
in the company of the ...
- 21k
4
votes
1
answer
97
views
Identification of a Buddhist text written in classical Chinese or Japanese
While looking for an answer to this question I found a text that contains the quote in question, but I cannot find any information about it.
Is it written in classical Chinese or classical Japanese? (...
- 2,680
2
votes
2
answers
535
views
Dharma-ending age in suttas and solution?
What are signs of the dharma-ending age according to the sutras and is there a solution?
- 5,113
5
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Has lord Buddha ever told something like this?
Once lord Buddha pointed at a glistening star and asked a monk, "Do you believe that star still exists where we can see it?"
The monk answered yes.
Then lord Buddha said, "You are wrong....
- 113
4
votes
1
answer
119
views
What advice did the Buddha give to corrupt officials?
I'm wondering if there were any such occasions, and what suttas/sutras this is recorded in.
Also if the Buddha gave advice to otherwise evil people besides Angulimala or Devadatta, or possible ...
- 2,598
6
votes
7
answers
3k
views
Does Paritta/Sutta really have magical power?
Many people believed certain Paritta/Sutta have certain magical power, for example Bojjhanga Sutta for curing illness and Om Mani Padme Hum having a great (even greatest) magical power among other ...
- 777
3
votes
1
answer
75
views
What are the elements (Mahābhūta) references in the Sarvastivada Satipaṭṭhāna?
According to Satipatthana Mula (By Sujato Bhikkhu edited by Piya Tan) Dharmaskandha references 6 elements that the traditional 4 elements in Theravada. They are not explicitly mentioned in the text. ...
6
votes
3
answers
452
views
Conflict between Brahmajala Sutta and current Buddhist practices
I'm very confused about this sutta ( http://suttacentral.net/en/dn1) specially in the part "Mahāsīla"
Many of what the Buddha stated as wrong livelihood is very common in some Buddhist centres these ...
- 9,847
1
vote
0
answers
86
views
Sutta pitaka in plain English [duplicate]
Where can I find sutta pitaka translations in plain English preferably from an author that has practised meditation. If the English is relevant to today's problems and sufferings, even better. Word to ...
- 1,191
11
votes
6
answers
2k
views
How to overcome Depression with Buddhist teachings
There are several scientific methods to treat the psychiatric condition depression. Is there a method to overcome depression by Lord Buddha's teachings?
- 367
1
vote
2
answers
210
views
connection between fear and anger(dwesha)
I need to know if "Dwesha" anger and fear are connected according to the Buddhist teachings?
Also how to overcome fear or phobias with the practices of Buddhism?
- 367
8
votes
4
answers
940
views
Tripitaka Section Numbering
Does anyone have a comprehensive side by side reference to Suttas numbering from different edition (PTS, VRI, etc.) of the Tripitaka?
I have trouble with reconciliation of certain references to the ...
5
votes
4
answers
780
views
What is the sutra where the Buddha emits fire and water from his body?
I've seen pictures that depict the Buddha floating in the air and emitting fire from this torso and water from his legs. The fire and the water might be the other way around. I think the picture ...
- 21k
4
votes
7
answers
273
views
Is it ok for lay meditators to have counsellors/therapists/psychologists
It's pretty evident that meditation itself helps you deal with your problems and inner issues, but is it okay for a lay meditator to pay a psychologist/therapist to talk about his or her feelings.
...
- 1,191
12
votes
4
answers
2k
views
Loneliness: Rhinoceros-Horn Sutta from a Lay person's perspective
How can a lay person benefit from this beautiful sutta? It is about being reclusive as a key for good insight and enlightenment.
Does this sutta apply for short period of loneliness like Retreats? Or ...
- 9,847
5
votes
1
answer
174
views
Sūkarakhata sutta and the "arahants seeking benefits they already have"
I stumbled across this sutta yesterday (SN 48.58) with a dialogue between the Buddha and Sariputta, which has the following passage:
Considering what benefit, Sariputta, does a bhikkhu whose taints ...
user382
4
votes
3
answers
912
views
Is Mara a real being or something internal, produced by our own minds?
I have heard both interpretations, for me it would make more sense to be something from the mind as there is no creator God or its opposite in Buddhism, the image of a "temptator creature" like Satan ...
- 9,847
1
vote
2
answers
417
views
Should we correct Buddhist wrong believes or respect it? [closed]
Allow me to give the exemple of meat eating for this question: In the suttas we can clearly see (many times) that eating meat is accepted in Buddhism under a few conditions. We cannot kill, ask ...
- 9,847
4
votes
3
answers
180
views
Do we need to believe in Buddhist stories to be a real Buddhist?
Some suttas and the dhammapada contain stories with things not very easy to verify, such as people flying, living 8.000 years, teletransportation, etc.
Some of those are related to the psychic ...
- 9,847
5
votes
5
answers
195
views
Sutra Study as Meditation?
When studying the sutras should that be considered a form of meditation, if so what are the guidelines for sutra meditation?
- 2,189
4
votes
2
answers
319
views
How do the stages of insight before stream entry relate to the suttas
Are the stages of knowledge before stream entry mentioned in the suttas? How does this correlate with the Visuddhimagga? E.g. sabba-kaya-patisamvedi (in some interpretations) may directly relate to ...
12
votes
4
answers
2k
views
What is the oldest text/sutra of the Mahayana tradition?
I'm often interested in the history of Buddhist texts and, being a Theravadan, I'm not very familiar with the Mahayana texts. Please help to educate me in this manner.
- 2,008
6
votes
2
answers
488
views
Sutras in Western Buddhism?
How should western practitioners approach the sutras? What are the most important sutras from the main Buddhist traditions for westerners to study? When studying the sutras should that be considered a ...
- 2,189
2
votes
4
answers
160
views
What are the canonical texts for the Buddhisms of the world?
And as a follow up, what institutions are charged with expanding the list of canonical works, if any?
- 7,081
4
votes
2
answers
2k
views
What is the Avatamsaka Sutra about?
I'm not really expecting a short summary, but I'd be happy to get one. This is a 1600 page sutra in English (and cost over $100 on Amazon). It gets reference a lot in the Brahma Net Sutra and Huayan ...
- 7,081
13
votes
2
answers
227
views
What are the texts that contain words which can be attributed directly to the Buddha?
If I understand correctly, the Buddha never wrote anything but some Buddhist texts quote him by describing meetings or situations where he was present. Is there a comprehensive list of all scripts ...
- 233
9
votes
3
answers
224
views
Buddhist teachings on nation building & politics
From what I have read, Buddhism seems provide a practical path to follow in everyday life for a commoner to lead a life with lesser Dukkha and a rigorous path aimed at Monks seeking nirvana.
But do ...
- 1,082