Classic commentaries - where to start?

Exploring the Dhamma, as understood from the perspective of the ancient Pali commentaries.
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Agent
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Classic commentaries - where to start?

Post by Agent »

So far in my studies I've basically stuck to the Sutta Pitaka and modern commentaries/teachings (Bhikkhu Bodhi, Thanassaro Bhikkhu, Ajahn Chah, etc). I'm interested in taking a look at classic commentaries but have no idea where to start or even really what's available out there. The only one I'm aware of is the Visuddhimagga. Any advice?
If you have links to any online resources that would be very helpful too.

Thank you,
Jason
Vayadhammā saṅkhārā appamādena sampādethā.
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Ben
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Re: Classic commentaries - where to start?

Post by Ben »

Hi Agent

I recommend the Vism. Its a bit of a tome and difficult to read but it is iconic. It is often cited by latter-day scholars, the material in it is foundational for many meditation teachers. And as it is more widely available than many other commentaries, it is probably the most popular commentarial work, especially on a discussion forum like DW.
kind regards

Ben
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Learn this from the waters:
in mountain clefts and chasms,
loud gush the streamlets,
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jcsuperstar
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Re: Classic commentaries - where to start?

Post by jcsuperstar »

สัพเพ สัตตา สุขีตา โหนตุ

the mountain may be heavy in and of itself, but if you're not trying to carry it it's not heavy to you- Ajaan Suwat
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Kare
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Re: Classic commentaries - where to start?

Post by Kare »

Find a sutta you wish to study. Then get the commentary to that sutta, and read the commentary along with the sutta. And, beside the sutta and the commentary, you also will need you own critcal sense! :-)
Mettāya,
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mikenz66
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Re: Classic commentaries - where to start?

Post by mikenz66 »

The Visuddhimagga summarises a lot of commentarial literature, but it is interesting to read the actual commentaries to specific Suttas. Unfortunately, there are not a lot available. Of course you can read them all yourself if your Pali is up to it...

However, there are a few translations of commentaries to important Suttas available online:

Satipatthana Sutta: http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/auth ... wayof.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
The Removal of Distracting Thoughts: http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/auth ... el021.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

As JCS says, there as several translations available at BPS:
http://www.bps.lk/book_index.asp" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Several can be read on Google Books.
All-Embracing of Net Views Bhikkhu Bodhi (The Brahmajala Sutta and its Commentaries)
online here: http://books.google.co.nz/books?id=6ym- ... &q&f=false" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Fruits of Recluseship Bhikkhu Bodhi (The Samannaphala Sutta and its Commentaries)
Great Discourse on Causation Bhikkhu Bodhi (Mahānidāna Sutta and its commentaries)
online here: http://books.google.co.nz/books?id=kMDd ... &q&f=false" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Root of Existence Bhikkhu Bodhi (the Mūlapariyāya Sutta and its commentaries)
Online here: http://books.google.co.nz/books?id=Mia6 ... &q&f=false" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Mike
Last edited by mikenz66 on Thu May 13, 2010 11:11 am, edited 2 times in total.
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retrofuturist
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Re: Classic commentaries - where to start?

Post by retrofuturist »

Greetings,

Another is...

Mind Overcoming its Cankers by Buddharakkhita Thera
http://www.wisdom-books.com/ProductDetail.asp?PID=13961" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Which is MN 2 (Sabbasava Sutta), its original commentary, plus a modern commentary from Buddharakkhita Thera

Metta,
Retro. :)
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Agent
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Re: Classic commentaries - where to start?

Post by Agent »

This is wonderful; thank you all so much for your suggestions and links.
Vayadhammā saṅkhārā appamādena sampādethā.
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mirco
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Re: Classic commentaries - where to start?

Post by mirco »

Also try the Vimuttimagga The Path of Freedom by the Venerable Upatossa (Arahat).

It was compiled a little before the Visuddhimagga and is the foundation for the Visuddhimagga.
It is less analytical and more practical.

Get a Vimuttimagga copy at Buddhist Publication Society or read Vimuttimagga online or download Vimuttimagga as pdf.


BUT - if you need real, modern commentary that sticks close to the Suttas intodays language,
try Most Venerable Vimalaramsi Mahathera. Hundreds of Audio and Video-Talks sorted by Sutta.
He reads the Sutta and explaines it line by line in todays plain english. And above that: you can
ask any question you want in his Yahoo-Group. Pure Dhamma luxury. Site: http://www.dhammasukha.org" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Videos: http://www.dhammasukha.org/Study/recent.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; Yahoo-Group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dhammasukha/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


Metta, always,
:) Mirco


Some of you might like this:
P.V. Bapat : Vimuttimagga and Visuddhimagga - A Comparative Study
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Virgo
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Re: Classic commentaries - where to start?

Post by Virgo »

The best thing one can do in my opinion is read the Visuddhimagga. It details the whole path. When one gets to the wisdom section one can supplement some of ones learning by learning some of the Abhidhamma. That is the best thing one can do in my opinion as far as study is concerned.

Kevin
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Virgo
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Re: Classic commentaries - where to start?

Post by Virgo »

Virgo wrote:The best thing one can do in my opinion is read the Visuddhimagga. It details the whole path. When one gets to the wisdom section one can supplement some of ones learning by learning some of the Abhidhamma. That is the best thing one can do in my opinion as far as study is concerned.

Kevin
There is so much great information in the Commentaries. It is very valuable. But you could spend many years of a lifetime studying it. Study directly connected with the path is the best; that is why I recommend Visuddhimagga. It details just about everything one needs to know about the three aggregates of the path: sila, samadhi, and wisdom. Abhidhamma can help with the wisdom aspect, as much of the information in the text draws from it and teaches it. This is the most practical way to approach the path. If one is a monk, study of Vinaya is also very important. It is helpful even for a layman. Practical study is the most useful. Of course, it is important that some people study all the points and help preserve them so the legacy continuous on into the future. There is a sutta where the monks debate about what helps preserve the path-- whether it is practice of study. Both sides quote points that show their side is correct. Eventually it is decided that study helps preserve the path most because without proper study, there won't be proper practice, so the practice will be lost too.

Kevin
vishy89
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Re: Classic commentaries - where to start?

Post by vishy89 »

A big question!
I suggest go thro' the videos of Sayalay Susila to start with.
Metta
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Nicholas Weeks
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Re: Classic commentaries - where to start?

Post by Nicholas Weeks »

retrofuturist wrote: Thu May 13, 2010 11:06 am
Mind Overcoming its Cankers by Buddharakkhita Thera
http://www.wisdom-books.com/ProductDetail.asp?PID=13961" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Which is MN 2 (Sabbasava Sutta), its original commentary, plus a modern commentary from Buddharakkhita Thera

Metta,
Retro. :)
This old link above is broken - try this one:

https://www.bps.lk/olib/bp/bp516s_Buddh ... ankers.pdf
Good and evil have no fixed form. It's as easy to turn from doing bad to doing good as it is to flip over the hand from the back to the palm. It's simply up to us to do it. Master Hsuan Hua.
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Nicholas Weeks
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Re: Classic commentaries - where to start?

Post by Nicholas Weeks »

Here is the Preface to the 2004 revised edition by Ven. Acharya Buddharakkhita:
Mind Overcoming its Cankers is an in-depth study of mental effluents in the Buddhist perspective. The first edition of this book was brought out in 1978 by the Buddha Vacana Trust, Mahà Bodhi Society, Gandhinagar, Bangalore. In 1994 a reprint of this edition was brought out by Buddhist Wisdom Centre, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia, for free distribution. In 2003 a Vietnamese translation of this book was produced by the Tathàgata Meditation Center, San Jose, California, USA, also for free distribution. A revised edition of the book has now been prepared which the BPS, Kandy, Sri Lanka is publishing. We thank all those who have helped in the publication of the Second edition of this book.
This is an Author's humble offering at the lotus feet of the Tathàgata Buddha, the Bearer of Truth, the Supremely Enlightened One!

May all beings be happy!

Venerable Acharya Buddharakkhita
Buddha Vachana Trust,
Mahà Bodhi Society,
Bangalore,
India, 2004
Good and evil have no fixed form. It's as easy to turn from doing bad to doing good as it is to flip over the hand from the back to the palm. It's simply up to us to do it. Master Hsuan Hua.
Ontheway
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Re: Classic commentaries - where to start?

Post by Ontheway »

One recommendation from me is Bahiranidana of Samantapasadika, the Vinaya Commentary.
Hiriottappasampannā,
sukkadhammasamāhitā;
Santo sappurisā loke,
devadhammāti vuccare.

https://suttacentral.net/ja6/en/chalmer ... ight=false
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