dedicated to a peaceful & just society
grounded in contemplative & spiritual practice
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Midwestern Dhamma dedicated to a peaceful & just society grounded in contemplative & spiritual practice |
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apologies for uneven formatting & lack of links
SN I.1 Ogha-tarana Sutta (Crossing over the Flood)
SN I.42 Kindada Sutta (A Giver of What?)
SN V.2 Soma Sutta (Can Women be Liberated?)
SN VII.6 Jata Sutta (The Tangle)
XII. Nidana-samyutta -- Paticcasamuppada (dependent co-arising) {S ii 1; CDB i 533}.
Paticca-samuppada-vibhanga Sutta (SN XII.2) -- Analysis {S ii 2; CDB i 534} [Thanissaro Bhikkhu, trans.]. A summary of the causal chain of dependent co-arising.
Lokayatika Sutta (SN XII.48) -- The Cosmologist {S ii 77; CDB i 584} [Thanissaro Bhikkhu, trans.]. The Oneness of all being is sometimes taught as a basic Buddhist principle, but this discourse shows that the Buddha himself rejected the idea. It is simply one of the extremes that he avoided by teaching dependent co-arising.
Nagara Sutta (SN XII.65) -- The City {S ii 104; CDB i 601} [Thanissaro Bhikkhu, trans.]. The Buddha retells the story of how, on the eve of his Awakening, he re-discovered the long-forgotten laws of dependent co-arising and the Four Noble Truths.
Nakhasikha Sutta (SN XIII.1) -- The Tip of the Fingernail. {S ii 133; CDB i 621}
Pokkharani Sutta (SN XIII.2) -- The Pond. {S ii 133; CDB i 621}
Samudda Sutta (SN XIII.8) -- The Ocean. {S ii 137; CDB i 624} [Thanissaro Bhikkhu, trans.]. These three suttas offer vivid similes that give a sense of how much suffering one totally puts behind oneself upon attaining the stream to Nibbana. Good encouragement for putting some extra effort into the practice.
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/canon/sutta/samyutta/index.html#Maha
Upanisa Sutta (SN XII.23) — Transcendental Dependent Arising!!!
[Thanissaro Bhikkhu, trans. | Bhikkhu Bodhi. tr]. The Buddha explains that the ending of the mental effluents occurs when one sees and understands dependent co-arising. The causal chain here includes an additional set of factors not present in the "standard" chain of dependent co-arising. http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/bps/wheels/wheel277.html
Saddha Sutta (AN V.38) — Faith / Conviction {A iii 42} [Thanissaro Bhikkhu, trans.]. The five rewards that a layperson can expect for having conviction (faith) in the Triple Gem.
Raja Sutta (SN LV.1) — The Emperor {S v 342; CDB ii 1788} [Thanissaro Bhikkhu, tr]. Which is better: being a world leader, or gaining the four factors of stream-entry?
— The unimaginable beginnings of samsara & transmigration {S ii 178; CDB, vol. i, p. 651}.
Assu Sutta (SN XV.3) — Tears {S ii 179; CDB i 652} [Thanissaro Bhikkhu, trans.]. "Which is greater, the tears you have shed while transmigrating and wandering this long, long time... or the water in the four great oceans?"
Danda Sutta (SN XV.9) — The Stick {S ii 184; CDB i 656} [Thanissaro Bhikkhu, trans.]. We bounce from one birth to the next, as a thrown stick bounces along the ground.
Duggata Sutta (SN XV.11) — Fallen on Hard Times {S ii 186; CDB i 657} [Thanissaro Bhikkhu, trans.]. When you encounter an unfortunate person, remember: you've been there, too.
Sukhita Sutta (SN XV.12) — Happy {S ii 186; CDB i 658} [Thanissaro Bhikkhu, trans.]. When you encounter a fortunate person, remember: you've been there, too.
Mata Sutta (SN XV.14-19) — Mother {S ii 189; CDB i 659} [Thanissaro Bhikkhu, trans.]. It's hard to meet someone who has not been, at some time in the distant past, your mother, father, son, daughter, sister, or brother.
This samyutta (chapter) contains 12 short suttas. The following 5 are available on Access-to-Insight; follows the links below. In the Connected Discourses of the Buddha, the chapters is found on pp. 706-12. Please read as many as you are able to ponder. Choose 1 or 2 that make a point you find interesting, inspiring, or provocative. Please be ready to tell us what interests, inspires, or provokes you about it.
Nakhasikha Sutta (SN XX.2) — The Tip of the Fingernail {S ii 263; CDB i 706} [Thanissaro Bhikkhu]. The Buddha offers a simile for the preciousness of this human birth.
Okkha Sutta (SN XX.4) — Serving Dishes {S ii 264; CDB i 707} [Thanissaro Bhikkhu] Making loving kindness one's vehicle.
Satti Sutta (SN XX.5) — The Spear {S ii 265; CDB i 707} [Thanissaro Bhikkhu]. Two suttas on the extraordinary power of metta (goodwill).
Dhanuggaha Sutta (SN XX.6) — The Archer {S ii 265; CDB i 708} [Thanissaro Bhikkhu]. How quickly life passes! Knowing this, how should we live our lives?
Ani Sutta (SN XX.7) — The Peg {S ii 266; CDB i 708} [Thanissaro Bhikkhu]. Be careful: there are many popular teachings nowadays that may sound elegant and pleasing to the ear, but they're not necessarily the Buddha's teachings.
Here's an excellent chapter from the Samyutta-Nikaya, all featuring wise nuns. Stories of Mara's attempts to lure the nuns away from their meditation spots in the forest by asking them provocative questions. Without exception, these wise women conquer Mara decisively.
Please go to <http://www.accesstoinsight.org/canon/sutta/samyutta/index.html> and scroll down for the links. For class this Friday, plz choose 2 or 3 favorites that you can dig into w/ the group.
Alavika Sutta (SN V.1) -- Sister Alavika {S i 128; CDB i 221} [Bhikkhu Bodhi | Thanissaro Bhikkhu]. Mara: Why bother meditating? Why not just enjoy life's pleasures?
Soma Sutta (SN V.2) -- Sister Soma {S i 129; CDB i 222} [Bhikkhu Bodhi | Andrew Olendzki (excerpt) | Thanissaro Bhikkhu]. Can women achieve Awakening? Ven. Sister Soma conquers this misguided question with ease.
Gotami Sutta (SN V.3) -- Sister Gotami {S i 129; CDB i 223} [Bhikkhu Bodhi | Thanissaro Bhikkhu]. Mara: Why bother sitting in solitude in the forest?
Vijaya Sutta (SN V.4) -- Sister Vijaya {S i 130; CDB i 224} [Bhikkhu Bodhi | Thanissaro Bhikkhu]. Mara: Why don't we just put aside the meditation for awhile and go out dancing?
Uppalavanna Sutta (SN V.5) -- Sister Uppalavanna {S i 131; CDB i 225} [Bhikkhu Bodhi | Thanissaro Bhikkhu]. Mara: Why don't you just give up the dangers of the forest and live somewhere safer?
Cala Sutta (SN V.6) -- Sister Cala {S i 132; CDB i 226} [Bhikkhu Bodhi | Thanissaro Bhikkhu]. Mara: What's wrong with being reborn, anyway?
Upacala Sutta (SN V.7) -- Sister Upacala {S i 133; CDB i 227} [Bhikkhu Bodhi | Thanissaro Bhikkhu]. Mara: Why not just settle for a happy rebirth among the devas?
Sisupacala Sutta (SN V.8) -- Sister Sisupacala {S i 133; CDB i 227} [Bhikkhu Bodhi | Thanissaro Bhikkhu]. Sister Sisupacala shows Mara how following the path of Dhamma doesn't mean buying into to a fixed philosophy.
Sela Sutta (SN V.9) -- Sister Sela {S i 134; CDB i 228} [Bhikkhu Bodhi | Thanissaro Bhikkhu]. Mara tries to trip up Ven. Sister Sela with metaphysical questions.
Vajira Sutta (SN V.10) -- Sister Vajira {S i 134; CDB i 229} [Bhikkhu Bodhi | Thanissaro Bhikkhu]. Have you ever found yourself getting pulled out of meditation by some fascinating, but utterly speculative, train of thought? Ven. Sister Vajira shows how to deal with this situation.
The Kassaka Sutta (SN IV.19), in part, reads like the Heart Sutra (click for one version), a Mahayana classic. We will compare the Heart Sutra w/ the Kassaka Sutta and some other possible Pali sources of the Heart Sutra.
Kassaka Sutta (SN IV.19) — The Farmer {S i 114; CDB i 208} [Thanissaro Bhikkhu]. Mara proclaims his dominion over the sensory world, but the Buddha explains that he (Buddha) dwells in the one place that Mara can never go.
Kaccayanagotta Sutta (SN XII.15) — To Kaccayana Gotta (on Right View) {S ii 16; CDB i 544} [Thanissaro Bhikkhu]. The Buddha explains to Ven. Kaccayana Gotta how dependent co-arising applies in the development of right view.
Mogharaja-manava-puccha (Sn V.15) -- Mogharaja's Questions {vv. 1116-1119} [John D. Ireland | Thanissaro Bhikkhu]. How should one view the world so as to escape Death's grasp?
Suñña Sutta (SN XXXV.85) — Empty {S iv 54; CDB ii 1163} [Thanissaro Bhikkhu]. The Buddha explains to Ven. Ananda in what way the world is devoid of anything that can rightly be called "self."
Where, then, is the difference between Theravada & Mahayana? Perhaps they are both empty!
[Note that "Sn" = Sutta-Nipata.]
April 22: Brahma & Brahmana Samyuttas
(Chapters 6 & 7 of the Sagatha Vagga)
This weeks Suttas provide different perspectives on the phenomenon known as "Buddha." We seem him interacting with various Brahmas (Gods). What do these Suttas tell us about him? and such Gods?
VI. Brahma-samyutta — Brahma deities {S i 136; CDB i 231}
Ayacana Sutta (SN VI.1) — The Request {S i 136; CDB i 231} [Thanissaro Bhikkhu]. Immediately after his Awakening, the Buddha receives a visit from Brahma Sahampati, who pleads with the Buddha to teach the Dhamma, for the sake of those "with little dust in their eyes."
Andhakavinda Sutta (SN VI.13) — Let the Wilderness Serve! (excerpt) {S i 154; CDB i 248} [Andrew Olendzki]. Brahma Sahampati offers up verses of praise for the Buddha, who sits meditating alone in the wilderness.
Garava Sutta (SN VI.2) — Reverence {S i 138; CDB i 233} [Thanissaro Bhikkhu]. Shortly after his Awakening, the Buddha reviews the world around him, searching for another being whom he can now rightly call his teacher.
Parinibbana Sutta (SN VI.15) — Total Unbinding {S i 157; CDB i 251} [Thanissaro Bhikkhu]. Four eyewitness accounts of the passing away of the Buddha.
VII. Brahmana-samyutta — Brahmans {S i 160; CDB i 254}
Here we find the Buddha interacting with members of the priestly caste of India. We see him responding to challenges and insults. Does he handle them the way you would?
Akkosa Sutta (SN VII.2) — Insult {S i 161; CDB i 255} [Thanissaro Bhikkhu]. What is your best response when someone is angry with you? Hint: if a host offers some food to a guest, but the guest declines the offer, to whom does the food belong?
Jata Sutta (SN VII.6) — The Tangle {S i 165; CDB i 259} [Thanissaro Bhikkhu]. The Buddha answers Jata Bharadvaja's famous question, "Who can untangle this tangle [of craving]?"
Kasi Bharadvaja Sutta (SN VII.11) — To the Plowing Bharadvaja {S i 171; CDB i 266} [Piyadassi Thera | Thanissaro Bhikkhu]. The Buddha answers a farmer who asserts that monks do no useful work, and thus don't deserve to eat. (This sutta also appears at Sn I.10.)
Maha-sala Sutta (SN VII.14) — Very Rich {S i 175; CDB i 271} [Thanissaro Bhikkhu]. A touching glimpse into the sorrow that a father feels when his ungrateful children fail to honor him in his old age. Does this have any relevance today, in our society, in our lives?
Navakammika Sutta (SN VII.17) — The Builder {S i 179; CDB i 274} [Thanissaro Bhikkhu]. What useful work can one possibly accomplish by sitting in meditation under a tree in the forest?
Theravada tradition has remembered and given importance to each of these Suttas. Tho times have changed and many aspects of our ways of life are different, do they still have something to say to us? What themes do you find them? How do they inspire you?
April 29: Summary & Overview of the Samyutta Nikaya (part 1)
May 6: Summary & Overview of the Samyutta Nikaya (part 2)
In these two sessions (April 29 & May 6), we will wrap up our focus on the Samyutta-Nikaya (for the time being). We will attempt an overview and summary of the Samyutta and the contents of each Book (vagga). These Suttas are roughly representative of their books:
I. Sagatha-vagga
Ogha-tarana Sutta (SN I.1) — Crossing Over the Flood {S i 1; CDB i 89} [Thanissaro Bhikkhu]. The Buddha explains how he "crossed over the flood" of craving.
Gandhatthena Sutta (SN IX.14) — The Thief of a Scent {S i 204; CDB i 303} [Thanissaro Bhikkhu]. Have you ever wished for a guardian angel to warn you before you do something foolish? Here's one with an important lesson.
II. Nidana-vagga
Aviijapaccaya Sutta (SN XII.35) — From Ignorance as a Requisite Condition {S ii 60; CDB i 573} [Thanissaro Bhikkhu]. Is there someone or something that lies behind the processes described in dependent co-arising?
Cetana Sutta (SN XII.38) — Intention {S ii 65; CDB i 576} [Thanissaro Bhikkhu]. The Buddha explains the causal link between mental fabrications and consciousness.
Ahara Sutta (SN XII.11) — Nutriment {S ii 11; CDB i 540} [Not available on Access-to-Insight]. Four kinds of food/nutriment and their sources.
III. Khanda-vagga
Bhikkhu Sutta (SN XXII.36) — The Monk (On Identifying with the Aggregates) {S iii 36; CDB i 879} [Thanissaro Bhikkhu]. How we define ourselves in terms of the aggregates, and how we don't have to do so.
Samanupassana Sutta (SN XXII.47) — Assumptions {S iii 46; CDB i 885} [Thanissaro Bhikkhu]. The Buddha speaks on the assumptions that underly self-view.
Bija Sutta (SN XXII.54) — Means of Propagation {S iii 54; CDB i 891} [Thanissaro Bhikkhu]. This sutta is nearly identical to the previous one (SN XXII.53), and illustrates the same point with a striking image.
Khajjaniya Sutta (SN XXII.79) — Chewed Up {S iii 86; CDB i 914} [Thanissaro Bhikkhu]. How to gain release from identification with the five aggregates.
Yamaka Sutta (SN XXII.85) — To Yamaka {S iii 109; CDB i 931} [Thanissaro Bhikkhu]. Ven. Yamaka claims that when an arahant dies, he/she is utterly annihilated. Ven. Sariputta pulls him out of this wrong view, and in so doing leads him to Awakening.
IV. Salayatana-vagga
Kumma Sutta (SN XXXV.199) — The Tortoise {S iv 177; CDB ii 1240; this sutta corresponds to CDB XXXV.240} [Thanissaro Bhikkhu]. If we guard the senses wisely, as a tortoise guards against attack by withdrawing into the safety of its shell, we are safely out of Mara's reach.
Datthabba Sutta (SN XXXVI.5) — To Be Known {S iv 207; CDB ii 1263} [Nyanaponika Thera]. Behind even the happiest and most pleasant of feelings lurks a persistent pain that can, with correct practice, be overcome.
Gelañña Sutta (SN XXXVI.8) — At the Sick Room (2) {S iv 213; CDB ii 1268} [Nyanaponika Thera]. (This sutta is nearly identical to the preceding one, except here the feeling of pleasure, etc., is said to be dependent on contact rather than on the body.)
V. Maha-vagga (On Path)
Avijja Sutta (SN XLV.1) — Ignorance {S v 1; CDB ii 1523} [Thanissaro Bhikkhu]. The Buddha explains that ignorance is the cause of wrong view, wrong resolve, wrong speech, etc., whereas clear knowing gives rise to right view and all the factors of the eightfold path.
{S v 2; CDB ii 1524} [Thanissaro Bhikkhu]. In this famous sutta the Buddha corrects Ven. Ananda, pointing out that having "admirable" friends, companions, and comrades is not half but the whole of the holy life. (For more about this special kind of friendship, see the page on kalyanamittata.)
Santikaro will make some general observations about the Samyutta-Nikaya as a whole and on each of the Vaggas. Ven. Bodhi's excellent Introductions to each Book of the Connected Discourses is well worth reading.
Middle Length Discourses, p. 629 ff. (Not available on Access-to-Insight)
{M i 483} [Thanissaro Bhikkhu]. The Buddha explains to a wanderer why he does not hold any speculative views. Using the simile of an extinguished fire he illustrates the destiny of the liberated being
{M i 426} [Thanissaro Bhikkhu]. Ven. Malunkyaputta threatens to disrobe unless the Buddha answers all his speculative metaphysical questions. Using the famous simile of a man shot by a poison arrow, the Buddha reminds him that some questions are simply not worth askin
{D i 178} [Thanissaro Bhikkhu]. The wandering ascetic Potthapada brings to the Buddha a tangle of questions concerning the nature of perception. The Buddha clears up the matter by reviewing the fundamentals of concentration meditation and showing how it can lead to the ultimate cessation of perception. (Thanissaro doesn't number the paragraphs, so you'll have to scroll down a few paragraphs below footnote #8.)
Abyakata-samyutta (SN, Salayatana-vagga, last section of book 4) includes various renderings of the undeclared, including the addition of "Is there a Self or not?"
{A iv 67} [Thanissaro Bhikkhu]. Why does doubt not arise in the mind of a stream-enterer? Deals with just the tetralemma. Notice that in the classic list of the 10 Undeclared, the tetralemma is only applied as the last four (the previous sets being 3 sets of 2). Is the tetralemma implied in the first sets? If not, is it significant? or just stylistic?
Upcoming Topics & Suttas (2006) ... please go here for preparation
Previous Topics & Suttas ... 2004 | 2005 Samyutta & 2005 Anguttara
Dependent Co-Origination Class in June-July2004.
Anapanasati Sutta in July-August 2004.
Anatta: We focused on Selflessness October 2004.
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