Disregarding the Suttas is the height of arrogance.

[alan]

Friends,
Buddhism would not exist without the Suttas. You should read them, and make it your goal to understand. This is the basic starting point. Claiming to be a Buddhist without a basic knowledge of the fundamental teachings is just a fantasy. Don't indulge in fantasy. It will get you nowhere.

[Dan74]

o-brother-where-art-thou-4.jpg (109.62 KiB) Viewed 903 times

[alan]

Which means what?
Please respect the topic. Pointless jokes are a waste of my time.

[Javi]

Alan, as much as I appreciate your enthusiasm, why do you feel the need to post another thread with the same content as your previous one just six days ago? Most people here read and respect the suttas, we may have different interpretations, but we all refer to them.

[retrofuturist]

namo tassa bhagavato arahato samma sambuddhassa



Metta,
Retro.

[danieLion]

Friends,
Buddhism would not exist without the Suttas. You should read them, and make it your goal to understand. This is the basic starting point. Claiming to be a Buddhist without a basic knowledge of the fundamental teachings is just a fantasy. Don't indulge in fantasy. It will get you nowhere.

I'm of this opinion also.

[Dan74]

Which means what?
Please respect the topic. Pointless jokes are a waste of my time.

I guess it means that it sounded to me like you were at a pulpit, Alan, delivering a fiery sermon, as much as I love the sutras. I just don't feel that people need to be bashed over the head with this view and using expressions like "height of ignorance" that's what you seem to be doing.

But I prefer the pic, it's from O Brother, Where Art Thou?

[marc108]

namo tassa bhagavato arahato samma sambuddhassa



Metta,
Retro.

[BlueLotus]

Most people here read and respect the suttas, we may have different interpretations

I have to agree. I think most disputes arise from different sutta interpretations rather than not regarding them as important.

[nibbuti]

Most people here read and respect the suttas, we may have different interpretations

I have to agree. I think most disputes arise from different sutta interpretations rather than not regarding them as important.

Indeed. Most people who read the suttas misinterpret them at first, which is only natural, then go to replace own misinterpretation with an acknowledged one.

[DAWN]

What is good interpretation ?
What is bad interpretation ?

Relativily to what, depending on what it become good or bad?

[Doshin]

Friends,
Buddhism would not exist without the Suttas. You should read them, and make it your goal to understand. This is the basic starting point. Claiming to be a Buddhist without a basic knowledge of the fundamental teachings is just a fantasy. Don't indulge in fantasy. It will get you nowhere.

I don't recall the Suttas being mentioned in the refuge ? Why do you think, that Dhamma would only exist, if there is Suttas ?

Buddham saranam gacchami
I go for refuge to the Buddha;

Dhammam saranam gacchami
I go for refuge to the Dhamma;

Sangham saranam gacchami
I go for refuge to the Sangha.

Dhamma is not a book, Dhamma is not a collection of Suttas...

I see the Sutta Pitaka, as a (one possible) guide to finding/understanding the Dhamma. I'm sure there is many other routes/guides to finding the goal, even non-Buddhist. The only difference is the route and the means to get there.

And when all that is said/written, Buddhism/Buddhist is just words.

I notice that you are very persistent on the topic, of categorising the Suttas as some flavour of sacred. Why is it that important to you ? Is it important ?

Personally I am convinced, that the Dhamma would be there, even without the Suttas.

Gassho
_/\_

[Dan74]

I don't have a problem with people venerating the Suttas. Of course they are a means to the end, not the end in itself, but you could be venerating far worse things that that. Plus from venerating one is quite likely to apply them wholeheartedly. Not that the OP advocates venerating the Suttas.

I am also glad that many Mahayana teachers have come back to the Suttas. Not because it was essential but because it is helpful both to heal the rift between traditions and for Mahayana students themselves, many of whom, like me, find inspiration for our practice in the Pali canon.

[BlueLotus]

Indeed. Most people who read the suttas misinterpret them at first, which is only natural, then go to replace own misinterpretation with an acknowledged one.

Oh but "acknowledged" doesn't always mean "accurate" either. It so happens that "world is flat" was once highly acknowledged and incorrect.

[tiltbillings]

One way to approach the issue:

"We don't use the Pali Canon as a basis for orthodoxy, we use the Pali Canon to investigate our experience." -- Ajahn Sumedho

[Aloka]

One way to approach the issue:

"We don't use the Pali Canon as a basis for orthodoxy, we use the Pali Canon to investigate our experience." -- Ajahn Sumedho

Do you have a source for the Ajahn Sumedho quote, please Tilt ?


.

[tiltbillings]

One way to approach the issue:

"We don't use the Pali Canon as a basis for orthodoxy, we use the Pali Canon to investigate our experience." -- Ajahn Sumedho

Do you have a source for the Ajahn Sumedho quote, please Tilt ?


.

Damdifino. I saw it years ago in a news letter.

[BlueLotus]

One way to approach the issue:

"We don't use the Pali Canon as a basis for orthodoxy, we use the Pali Canon to investigate our experience." -- Ajahn Sumedho

Very nicely said.

[danieLion]

One way to approach the issue:

"We don't use the Pali Canon as a basis for orthodoxy, we use the Pali Canon to investigate our experience." -- Ajahn Sumedho

Do you have a source for the Ajahn Sumedho quote, please Tilt ?


.

I think it's in Intuitive Awareness. If not exactly, he says very similar things there.

[alan]

Oh, my. Doshin, please tell me how the Dhamma exists if the primary teachings do not exist.
They are our reference point. This seems so obvious it should not need to be mentioned, and yet, I hear some who claim otherwise.
Burden of proof is on you, fiend.