Hello,
I have Digha Nikaya, Majjima, Anguttara Nikaya with me right now and Samayutta Nikaya will arrive in the next month or so.
Can anyone tell me if I can start with Digha Nikaya/Majjhima Nikaya and then later refer to Samyutta Nikaya or is SN important not to ignore since I will have access to it only after month....
Nikayas
-
- Posts: 153
- Joined: Fri Apr 18, 2014 8:54 am
- Location: Bangalore, India
Nikayas
Identification with my country is one of my fetters.
- retrofuturist
- Posts: 27848
- Joined: Tue Dec 30, 2008 9:52 pm
- Location: Melbourne, Australia
- Contact:
Re: Nikayas
Greetings,
Given what you've said, my recommended sequence would be MN, SN, AN, DN.
Metta,
Retro.
Given what you've said, my recommended sequence would be MN, SN, AN, DN.
Metta,
Retro.
"Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."
-
- Posts: 153
- Joined: Fri Apr 18, 2014 8:54 am
- Location: Bangalore, India
Re: Nikayas
Thanks.retrofuturist wrote:Greetings,
Given what you've said, my recommended sequence would be MN, SN, AN, DN.
Metta,
Retro.
Identification with my country is one of my fetters.
- Bhikkhu Pesala
- Posts: 4646
- Joined: Thu Jan 29, 2009 8:17 pm
Re: Nikayas
I recommend just following your heart — read whatever engages your interest. Don't restrict yourself by following any unnatural pattern. The Buddha did not start by teaching the Brahmajāla Sutta, then the Sāmaññaphala Sutta, etc. He taught to suit his audience, as the occasion arose.
Blog • Pāli Fonts • In This Very Life • Buddhist Chronicles • Software (Upasampadā: 24th June, 1979)
Re: Nikayas
Whomever the Buddha taught, he taught gradually, according to where they were, as the Venerable says.
So, I would study up on the gradual training, begin doing it, and use the rest of your resources to resolve questions based on that beginning.
So, I would study up on the gradual training, begin doing it, and use the rest of your resources to resolve questions based on that beginning.
- "And how is it, bhikkhus, that by protecting oneself one protects others? By the pursuit, development, and cultivation of the four establishments of mindfulness. It is in such a way that by protecting oneself one protects others.
"And how is it, bhikkhus, that by protecting others one protects oneself? By patience, harmlessness, goodwill, and sympathy. It is in such a way that by protecting others one protects oneself.
- Sedaka Sutta [SN 47.19]
-
- Posts: 153
- Joined: Fri Apr 18, 2014 8:54 am
- Location: Bangalore, India
Re: Nikayas
Thank you all for your very kind replies and help.daverupa wrote:Whomever the Buddha taught, he taught gradually, according to where they were, as the Venerable says.
So, I would study up on the gradual training, begin doing it, and use the rest of your resources to resolve questions based on that beginning.
I want to go deeper into the Dhamma. But right now I am in Home (not homelessness). Can I still study these great scriptures?. The thing is NOT that I am not interested. The fact is that I am deeply interested. Can a Layman study the Nikayas?.
Identification with my country is one of my fetters.
- Bhikkhu Pesala
- Posts: 4646
- Joined: Thu Jan 29, 2009 8:17 pm
Re: Nikayas
Married or not, one should study the Suttas and practice meditation.indian_buddhist wrote:I want to go deeper into the Dhamma. But right now I am in Home (not homelessness). Can I still study these great scriptures?. The thing is NOT that I am not interested. The fact is that I am deeply interested. But there is one more thing, the thing that I could be married in the future - (In 1 year maybe). I do not want to disrespect the Dhamma by studying the scriptures and then get married.
If you're thinking of getting married, better study the Kāma Sutta.
Blog • Pāli Fonts • In This Very Life • Buddhist Chronicles • Software (Upasampadā: 24th June, 1979)
Re: Nikayas
Of course you can study them. I found Bhikkhu Bodhi's collection In the Buddha's Words to be invaluable when starting, as he lays out the suttas in a gradual training format.
However, since you have, or will have, most of Nikayas anyway, you could use this thread:
In the Buddha's Words - Open Source Version
as an initial guide to get started. Bhikkhu Bodhi's introductory comments for each chapter are linked there.
As explained in post, Bhikkhu Bodhi has a series of talks based on that book. He also has a series on the Majjhima Nikaya that follows the same pattern:
http://bodhimonastery.org/a-systematic- ... ikaya.html
As Bhikkhu Pesala says, you eventually have to follow your heart. However, I have found guidance from experts invaluable.
Mike
However, since you have, or will have, most of Nikayas anyway, you could use this thread:
In the Buddha's Words - Open Source Version
as an initial guide to get started. Bhikkhu Bodhi's introductory comments for each chapter are linked there.
As explained in post, Bhikkhu Bodhi has a series of talks based on that book. He also has a series on the Majjhima Nikaya that follows the same pattern:
http://bodhimonastery.org/a-systematic- ... ikaya.html
As Bhikkhu Pesala says, you eventually have to follow your heart. However, I have found guidance from experts invaluable.
Mike
-
- Posts: 153
- Joined: Fri Apr 18, 2014 8:54 am
- Location: Bangalore, India
Re: Nikayas
I am sorry for deeply offending you Ven. Bhikkhu. As you can see I have no control over my tongue. I will try to maintain the dignity which is suitable for understanding the Dhamma.Bhikkhu Pesala wrote:Married or not, one should study the Suttas and practice meditation.indian_buddhist wrote:I want to go deeper into the Dhamma. But right now I am in Home (not homelessness). Can I still study these great scriptures?. The thing is NOT that I am not interested. The fact is that I am deeply interested. But there is one more thing, the thing that I could be married in the future - (In 1 year maybe). I do not want to disrespect the Dhamma by studying the scriptures and then get married.
If you're thinking of getting married, better study the Kāma Sutta.
Identification with my country is one of my fetters.
- Bhikkhu Pesala
- Posts: 4646
- Joined: Thu Jan 29, 2009 8:17 pm
Re: Nikayas
What are you talking about? What did you say to offend me even slightly, let alone deeply? There seems to be a language problem or culture gap here.indian_buddhist wrote:I am sorry for deeply offending you Ven. Bhikkhu. As you can see I have no control over my tongue. I will try to maintain the dignity which is suitable for understanding the Dhamma.
Blog • Pāli Fonts • In This Very Life • Buddhist Chronicles • Software (Upasampadā: 24th June, 1979)
-
- Posts: 153
- Joined: Fri Apr 18, 2014 8:54 am
- Location: Bangalore, India
Re: Nikayas
Ven. Bhikkhu Pesala...The reason is because i felt it was wrong to talk to a Monk about topic like me getting married.Bhikkhu Pesala wrote:What are you talking about? What did you say to offend me even slightly, let alone deeply? There seems to be a language problem or culture gap here.indian_buddhist wrote:I am sorry for deeply offending you Ven. Bhikkhu. As you can see I have no control over my tongue. I will try to maintain the dignity which is suitable for understanding the Dhamma.
Identification with my country is one of my fetters.
Re: Nikayas
indian_buddhist, don't listen to those other namby-pamby Buddhists. REAL Buddhists begin their studies with the Abhidhamma Pitaka and THEN go back to the suttas so that they can explain them to the lesser Buddhists.
Just kidding. Just kidding.
SN is the only Nikaya that's organized by topic, so you can start with that if you like structure. The other nikayas are completely unstructured. And loosen up, man. You're too tense! You're not in a monastery. And you can talk with Buddhist monks about pretty much anything.
Just kidding. Just kidding.
SN is the only Nikaya that's organized by topic, so you can start with that if you like structure. The other nikayas are completely unstructured. And loosen up, man. You're too tense! You're not in a monastery. And you can talk with Buddhist monks about pretty much anything.
quidquid Latine dictum sit altum videtur
(Anything in Latin sounds profound.)
(Anything in Latin sounds profound.)
Re: Nikayas
No, no. REAL Buddhists start with sub-sub-sub commentaries, then sub-sub, then sub, then only Abhidhamma Pitaka. Becasue Buddhaghosa knew better.waterchan wrote:indian_buddhist, don't listen to those other namby-pamby Buddhists. REAL Buddhists begin their studies with the Abhidhamma Pitaka and THEN go back to the suttas so that they can explain them to the lesser Buddhists.
Just kidding. Just kidding.
SN is the only Nikaya that's organized by topic, so you can start with that if you like structure. The other nikayas are completely unstructured. And loosen up, man. You're too tense! You're not in a monastery. And you can talk with Buddhist monks about pretty much anything.
Just kidding.
I too agree with waterchan, Samyutta Nikaya considered by scholars as the most authentic and overall, including Master Yin Shun.
I'll restart my yearlong meditation retreat on 15th June 2014, hence will not be here.
"Bhikkhus, there are these three things that shine when exposed, not when concealed. What three? (1) The moon. (2) The sun. (3) The Dhamma and discipline proclaimed by the Tathagata."
- Anguttara Nikaya, 3.131, Paticchanna Sutta
"Silence is the language of God; all else is poor translation."
– Rumi
Introduction: http://www.dhammawheel.com/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=20572
"Bhikkhus, there are these three things that shine when exposed, not when concealed. What three? (1) The moon. (2) The sun. (3) The Dhamma and discipline proclaimed by the Tathagata."
- Anguttara Nikaya, 3.131, Paticchanna Sutta
"Silence is the language of God; all else is poor translation."
– Rumi
Introduction: http://www.dhammawheel.com/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=20572