best suttas to memorize? techniques?

[Cittasanto]

i think this question could be a headline for this entire forum sometimes just kidding. but i do agree with you on this particular thread sir.

sometimes it is useful others it is pointless.
but to get back on topic.
I like Dmytros suggestion. but put on your list Mangala sutta & Karaniya metta sutta. both worth having in the toolbox.

i especially like the metta sutta as it is very short and straight to the point, no intro or outro, just practical advice. good suggestion. i'll have to look into the mangala sutta, not familiar with it.

EDIT: the mangala sutta is beautiful. made my heart all gushy, cuts straight to the core. thanks.

I think in practical terms these two are hard to beat no matter the length. but the Dhammacakkhapavatena sutta is supremely useful.

[equilibrium]

There is a saying: One cannot SEE beyond what one CANNOT understand!

The water in the fish tank appears to be muddy, it is best to let the water rest so we can "SEE" better.

[tiltbillings]

There is a saying: One cannot SEE beyond what one CANNOT understand!

The water in the fish tank appears to be muddy, it is best to let the water rest so we can "SEE" better.

And so you accurately characterize your criticism. Very perceptive on your part.

[Oleksandr]

i'm working on memorizing satipatthana right now. this one is very inclusive.

The most inclusive one is the Sangiti Sutta (DN33).

[mirco]

i'm working on memorizing satipatthana right now. this one is very inclusive. are there any others that would be good?

Chachakka Sutta
(M148)

This one, besides M146 & M147, is to assist with the realization of "anatta".
But complete versions only. For your own good don't use abridgements.
Very powerful.

:-)

[alan...]

I think in practical terms these two are hard to beat no matter the length. but the Dhammacakkhapavatena sutta is supremely useful.

yeah see i love this sutta and it's on my list but it's not got a lot of advice directly explaining practice. it's certainly a sutta that includes information i would want memorized though after i memorize satipatthana.

[tiltbillings]

Don't forget as part of your practice of memorization that you write out by hand what you have memorized.

[alan...]

i'm working on memorizing satipatthana right now. this one is very inclusive.

The most inclusive one is the Sangiti Sutta (DN33).

WHAT???? how have i never read this one before? all inclusive is putting it lightly!!! wow.

[alan...]

Don't forget as part of your practice of memorization that you write out by hand what you have memorized.

i did this at first but once i got to page three it became to much. didn't people originally memorize them and not write them down at all?

[alan...]

i'm working on memorizing satipatthana right now. this one is very inclusive. are there any others that would be good?

Chachakka Sutta
(M148)

This one, besides M146 & M147, is to assist with the realization of "anatta".
But complete versions only. For your own good don't use abridgements.
Very powerful.

thanks i will be reading these soon.

[tiltbillings]

Don't forget as part of your practice of memorization that you write out by hand what you have memorized.

i did this at first but once i got to page three it became to much. didn't people originally memorize them and not write them down at all?

The writing is a obviously physical activity, which adds to the solidity of what you memorized. I not suggesting that you write it every time you recite it, but the writing is a discipline that is worth doing, if not just for cultivating patience alone.

[alan...]

Don't forget as part of your practice of memorization that you write out by hand what you have memorized.

i did this at first but once i got to page three it became to much. didn't people originally memorize them and not write them down at all?

The writing is a obviously physical activity, which adds to the solidity of what you memorized. I not suggesting that you write it every time you recite it, but the writing is a discipline that is worth doing, if not just for cultivating patience alone.

you're very right. my speed of memorization dropped sharply when i stopped writing it, i just can't find the time or paper to write a fifteen page sutta...

[Cittasanto]

I think in practical terms these two are hard to beat no matter the length. but the Dhammacakkhapavatena sutta is supremely useful.

yeah see i love this sutta and it's on my list but it's not got a lot of advice directly explaining practice. it's certainly a sutta that includes information i would want memorized though after i memorize satipatthana.

does a map directly explain or point in the direction?
the Dhammacakkha Sutta is telling us far more that you may think as it is what some would call a wisdom text.

So try really reading it.


And tilts advise to write it down is excellent.
you could use spare pieces of paper or specially bought pieces & then bind them yourself later.

Here are some of my scribbles

[Oleksandr]

The most inclusive one is the Sangiti Sutta (DN33).

WHAT???? how have i never read this one before? all inclusive is putting it lightly!!! wow.

I'm glad that it was useful.

Well, this one is just not a part of the set of suttas that are popular in the West at the moment. That's how, I believe

[befriend]

i think an important topic for sutta memorization is non anger. dont know the name but its like when one flares up at someone who is angry matters get worse, when one does not flare up one wins a battle hard to win, theres more to it, its only like a short paragraph long but good to keep in mind. metta, befriend

[befriend]

Whence is there anger
for one free from anger,
tamed,
living in tune —
one released through right knowing,
calmed
& Such.

You make things worse
when you flare up
at someone who's angry.
Whoever doesn't flare up
at someone who's angry
wins a battle
hard to win.

You live for the good of both
— your own, the other's —
when, knowing the other's provoked,
you mindfully grow calm.

When you work the cure of both
— your own, the other's —
those who think you a fool
know nothing of Dhamma

[alan...]

I think in practical terms these two are hard to beat no matter the length. but the Dhammacakkhapavatena sutta is supremely useful.

yeah see i love this sutta and it's on my list but it's not got a lot of advice directly explaining practice. it's certainly a sutta that includes information i would want memorized though after i memorize satipatthana.

does a map directly explain or point in the direction?
the Dhammacakkha Sutta is telling us far more that you may think as it is what some would call a wisdom text.

So try really reading it.


And tilts advise to write it down is excellent.
you could use spare pieces of paper or specially bought pieces & then bind them yourself later.

Here are some of my scribbles

that's pretty cool Cittasanto! i like your calligraphy techniques and color choices very much!

i agree, i love that sutta. it's on my list of ones to memorize.

[alan...]

Whence is there anger
for one free from anger,
tamed,
living in tune —
one released through right knowing,
calmed
& Such.

You make things worse
when you flare up
at someone who's angry.
Whoever doesn't flare up
at someone who's angry
wins a battle
hard to win.

You live for the good of both
— your own, the other's —
when, knowing the other's provoked,
you mindfully grow calm.

When you work the cure of both
— your own, the other's —
those who think you a fool
know nothing of Dhamma

nice, thanks!

[alan...]

The most inclusive one is the Sangiti Sutta (DN33).

WHAT???? how have i never read this one before? all inclusive is putting it lightly!!! wow.

I'm glad that it was useful.

Well, this one is just not a part of the set of suttas that are popular in the West at the moment. That's how, I believe

no see i own the digha nikaya and have read about half of it in no particular order and have perused the rest, so that's why i'm so shocked i haven't seen it. i don't go by what's popular. before i die i intend to read every sutta in the sutta pitaka. i would really like to read every word of the entire tipitaka but i'll settle for just the sutta pitaka.

[Khalil Bodhi]

I suppose you could call it a form of New Year’s resolution but I quite spontaneously (perhaps impulsively) decide last night to take up the memorization of the Dhammacakkappavattana sutta again. I believe the English title is the Discourse on the Setting in Motion of the Dhamma Wheel and it contains, as such, the core teachings such as the Four Noble Truths and the Eight-fold Path. If there were one sutta that I ever wanted to memorize in its entirety for fear of being left without a physical or digital copy of the Dhamma this would be it. I have memorized the Metta sutta in English in the past as well as gathas but this will be the first sutta of significant length I will attempt.

In essence, I plan to use the Dhammaruwan recording (here: http://www.pirith.org/download/Dhammachakka.mp3) in conjunction with Ven. Anandajoti’s rendering of the sutta as found in the Vinaya-pitaka and I’ll come back here later to add in the links. I intend to dedicate the half hour required to recite the sutta every evening which would put my evening session at around 45 minutes in total with a fifteen minute metta session. I’ve decided to give myself until the end of the year to memorize it at which point I may choose either the Mahamangala or Karaniya Metta Sutta.

I would like to invite anyone who feels so inclined to join me on this quasi-New Year's resolution.