1. The Four Noble Truths as the Structure of Buddha-Dhamma
2. Idappaccayata: Causality as the Heart of Buddha-Dhamma
3. Sunyata: Emptiness as the Essence of Buddha-Dhamma
4. Majjhima Patipada: The Middle Way of Life Without Dukkha
5. Atthangika Magga: The Noble Eightfold Path to Dukkha's End
6. Satipatthana: Holding Life in Mindfulness
7. Tisarana: Refuge in the Buddha, Dhamma, & Sangha
The Four Noble Truths provide a consistent organizing structure of the Buddha-Dhamma. Understanding how each teaching fits in with the Four Noble Truths will enable one to see how it fits with other teachings.
Further, the Four Noble Truths provide a simple tool for thinking in Buddhist terms. Anything can be investigated in terms of what? From where? Why? And How?
We will familiarize ourselves with various presentations of the ariyasacca and the meaning of the key terms. We will look into ways of applying it to different aspects and questions of our lives.
Santikaro's talk (MP3, 9.9 mb).
Sammaditthi Sutta (MN 9, MDB )
Nyanamoli-Bodhi | Thanissaro
Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta (SN 56:11, CDB 1843ff) many translations, including ...
Nyanamoli | Piyadassi | Thanissaro
Mahasalayatanika Sutta (MN 149)
Thanissaro
- Introduction to Understanding the Ariya-Sacca (part 1 | part 2)
- Meaning of "Ariya-Sacca" (part 1 | part 2)
- Noble Truth of Dukkha (part 1 | part 2)
- Noble Truth of Dukkha's Origin (part 1 | part 2)
- Noble Truth of Dukkha's Quenching (part 1 | part 2)
- The Path Leading to Dukkha's Quenching (part 1 | part 2)
- Concluding Facts About the Four Ariya-Sacca (part 1 | part 2)
A translation of and commentary on the "Turning of the Dhamma Wheel Sutta" in which the Buddha firsts maps out the Middle Way, Noble Eightfold Path, and Four Noble Truths. Ven Rewata Dhamma, a Burmese teacher who lived in England for many years, follows the understanding of the Visuddhimagga and interprets these core teachings in the light of Burmese vipassana meditation. Wisdom Pulications, 1997, p. 128.
This booklet was compiled and edited from talks given by Venerable Ajahn Sumedho on the teaching of the Buddha: that the unhappiness of humanity can be overcome through spiritual means. The teaching is conveyed through the Buddha's Four Noble Truths, first expounded in 528 BC in the Deer Park at Sarnath near Varanasi, India and kept alive in the Buddhist world ever since. Available in PDF from BuddhaNet and from Amaravati (temporarily unavailable).
This is a useful anthology with thought provoking commentary and some nontraditional translations. Well worth having in your library. Available at Access to Insight and from Dhamma Dana Publications.
SN 12.20 "Conditions" 1 (CDB 550ff ) AtoI version| SN 12.27 "Conditions" 2 (CDB 563f )
MN 56 Upali Sutta (MDB p. 485, section 18)
1. The Particular Characteristics of Buddhism (July 1987)
2. The Particular Characteristics of Buddhism cont'd (July 1987)
3. The Dhammic Life that is Still a Secret (August 1991) [part 1 | part 2]
4. Bird's Eye View of Buddhism (April 1990) [part 1 | part 2]
5. Anapanasati is the Practice that Controls Dependent Origination (January 1991) [part 1 | part 2]
Pages 300-301 and Sutta passages there referred are most useful.
This is a useful anthology with thought provoking commentary and some nontraditional translations. Well worth having in your library. Available at Access to Insight and from Dhamma Dana Publications.
Culasuññata Sutta: Shorter Discourse on Voidness (MN 121; MDB 965)
Mahasuññata Sutta: Greater Discourse on Voidness (MN 122; MDB 971)
The preeminent Theravada exposition of voidness by the Theravada teacher who has most consistently taught this "heart of Buddhism." Copies available at Liberation Park, online, and through bookstores.
1. Everything is Anatta (August 1990)
2. Elements, Senses, & Aggregates (August 1990)
3. The Nine Vipassana Eyes (October 1990)
A recent article showing parallels between one of the most beloved Mahayana Sutra and the Pali suttas of Early Buddhism (pdf file).
The Heart Sutra itself (pdf file).
The Heart of Understanding, Thich Naht Hanh (Parallax)
Although we discussed this book during the second session, there is more to consider here. Please review Part 3 (Chapters 6-12) and consider the middle way within mutual causality (idappaccayata).
Kaccayanagotta Sutta (on Right View) (SN XII.15; CDB i 544)
Ariyapariyesana Sutta, The Noble Search (MN 26; MDB 253)
Maha-Saccaka Sutta, The Longer Discourse to Saccaka (MN 36; MDB 332)
Lokayatika Sutta, The Cosmologist (SN XII.48; CDB i 584)
optional: Alagaddupama Sutta, The Water-Snake Simile (MN 22; MDB 224)
1. Something You Don't Like Now, But Will Like Later
Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind, Shunryu Suzuki (Weatherhill)
Straightforward explanation of the Noble Eightfold Path
Mahasatipatthana Sutta: Greater Discourse on the Four Foundations of Mindfulness (DN 22)
(note the text is identical to that of the Satipatthana Sutta (MN 10), except that the Majjhima version omits the exposition of the Four Noble Truths)
Sakunagghi Sutta: The Hawk (SN47:6)
Anapanasati Sutta: Mindfulness with Breathing (MN 118)
"Magnificent, Master Gotama! Magnificent, Master Gotama! The Dhamma has been made clear in many ways by Master Gotama, as though he were turning upright what had been overthrown, revealing the hidden, showing the way to one who was lost, holding up a lamp in the darkness for those with eyes to see forms. We go to Master Gotama for refuge, and to the Dhamma, and to the Sangha of bhikkhus. From today let Master Gotama accept us as followers who have gone to him for refuge for life."
"Insight Surpasses All" (AN 9:20, abridged; PDF scanned, apologies for large size)
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