How much read?

[Reductor]

I've noticed a pretty scholarly bent here on Dhammawheel.

And since that is the case, I wondered just how much of the sutta-s everyone has read. I'm trying to read them all but, sigh, there is a lot of material to cover. Still, making progress.

To what extent have you pursued this avenue of study and how far do you plan to go? Why?

Inquiring minds want to know.

I find them inspiring to read and informative, and also a very good defense against the arising of wrong views. Additionally there is a lot of really good information there about the actual practice of mediation and contemplation. Key stuff.

Of course I plan to read all of them.

[retrofuturist]

Greetings Thereductor,

I've read the Wisdom editions of the DN, MN & SN... and once Bhikkhu Bodhi's full AN gets published by them, I'll be reading that too.



As for the "why"... because they're excellent. Their existence is a blessing to mankind.

Metta,
Retro.

[bodom]

Whats about the Khuddaka Nikaya? Ive read most of what is published in english of this overlooked and often forgotten Nikaya.
The Dhammapada, Itivuttaka, Suttanipata, Theragatha,Therigatha,Jataka, Patisambhidamagga, Cariyapitaka, Nettipakarana,Milindapanha and Buddhavamsa, all excellent, all found in the Khuddaka Nikaya.

The Sutta Nipata, Itivuttaka, Dhammapada, Therigatha, Theragatha and Udana are some of the oldest texts in the Canon. While of course some of these,The Niddesa, Patisambhidamagga, Buddhavamsa and Cariyapitaka are later editions, there importance should not be overlooked.

[Reductor]

Whats about the Khuddaka Nikaya?

Of course you're right about the Khuddaka - it is an important collection, not to mention enjoyable to read. I limited this poll for a couple reasons: 1) the four biggies are very complete in their doctrinal analysis and are more commonly accepted as the 'essential' part. 2) the books of the khuddaka seem more like stand alone volumes than a homogeneous 'book' in the way of the other four, so I wasn't sure if including it would complicate the poll.

Personally, I've read the first five books from this collection and strongly endorse the suttanipata.

Thanks for you post Bodom.

[Reductor]

Metta,
Retro.

Really Retro? You've read those? Haha, just kidding.

If you hadn't read them I would have been VERY surprised!

So, how long did it take you to read those first three?

[Alex123]

I've read all 4 Nikayas + ~6 books of KN + many other works (in part or in full).

I do recommend strongly to read 4.5 Nikayas.

[retrofuturist]

Greetings threductor,

So, how long did it take you to read those first three?

Yeah, it took a while. Off the top of my head I would say it took about 2 years, in rather sporadic fashion. With the exception of the DN they were too big for me to read on the daily train trip, so I had to read them at home.

I do recommend strongly to read 4.5 Nikayas.

The part of the KN I've read have been good, and I'm definitely keen to read the entire Sutta Nipata. I'm guessing that those volumes I'd enjoy least are precisely those which are harder to come across in English translation, and fall into your unstated 0.5.

Metta,
Retro.

[Alex123]

I do recommend strongly to read 4.5 Nikayas.

The part of the KN I've read have been good, and I'm definitely keen to read the entire Sutta Nipata. I'm guessing that those volumes I'd enjoy least are precisely those which are harder to come across in English translation, and fall into your unstated 0.5.

Metta,
Retro.

Right. The more early part of KN are (suttanipata, udana, itivutakka, thera/therigatha, dhammapada). I do also like the readable parts of Ptsm.