Which is Best

A discussion on all aspects of Theravāda Buddhism

Which is the best way to understand the Dhamma?

Scriptures alone
3
14%
Tradition
1
5%
Scripture & Tradition
18
82%
 
Total votes: 22

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Ceisiwr
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Which is Best

Post by Ceisiwr »

Sola scriptura, Tradition or both? Which is best?
“Knowing that this body is just like foam,
understanding it has the nature of a mirage,
cutting off Māra’s flower-tipped arrows,
one should go beyond the King of Death’s sight.”
SarathW
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Re: Which is Best

Post by SarathW »

I voted for both scripture and tradition.
I gain a deep understanding by reading scriptures.
But the tradition gives it color.
“As the lamp consumes oil, the path realises Nibbana”
Ontheway
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Re: Which is Best

Post by Ontheway »

I think I will choose scriptures only.

I got a mixed feeling for tradition. :embarassed:
Hiriottappasampannā,
sukkadhammasamāhitā;
Santo sappurisā loke,
devadhammāti vuccare.

https://suttacentral.net/ja6/en/chalmer ... ight=false
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Coëmgenu
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Re: Which is Best

Post by Coëmgenu »

I chose "tradition." I'm one of what I imagine will be few who choose "tradition." IMO, without the tradition of the living lineage of the saṃgha, without the training of the past generation of practitioners practicing in accord with the tradition of the vinaya or the bodhisattvaśīla, the Buddhist scriptures would be fairy tales about unrealizable things. Certainly, there might be some theoretical Pratyekabuddhas who arise from reading scriptures in the degenerate age of the Dhamma (when the jewel of the saṃgha has disappeared) but barring that, the saṃgha is vital. There will likely be Buddhist scriptures long after the Dhamma has disappeared completely. There will not be a saṃgha after it has disappeared. My random thoughts on the matter. Unless I'm quite mistaken, I'm sure that in Theravāda as well the Pratyekabuddhas arise irrespective of contact with the previous Buddha's dispensation. So scriptures aren't even necessary for their awakening, nor is tradition.
What is the Uncreated?
Sublime & free, what is that obscured Eternity?
It is the Undying, the Bright, the Isle.
It is an Ocean, a Secret: Reality.
Both life and oblivion, it is Nirvāṇa.
SarathW
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Re: Which is Best

Post by SarathW »

Coëmgenu wrote: Sat Jan 01, 2022 2:43 am I chose "tradition." I'm one of what I imagine will be few who choose "tradition." IMO, without the tradition of the living lineage of the saṃgha, without the training of the past generation of practitioners practicing in accord with the tradition of the vinaya or the bodhisattvaśīla, the Buddhist scriptures would be fairy tales about unrealizable things. Certainly, there might be some theoretical Pratyekabuddhas who arise from reading scriptures in the degenerate age of the Dhamma (when the jewel of the saṃgha has disappeared) but barring that, the saṃgha is vital. There will likely be Buddhist scriptures long after the Dhamma has disappeared completely. There will not be a saṃgha after it has disappeared. My random thoughts on the matter. Unless I'm quite mistaken, I'm sure that in Theravāda as well the Pratyekabuddhas arise irrespective of contact with the previous Buddha's dispensation. So scriptures aren't even necessary for their awakening, nor is tradition.
Agree.
Just think that you read the scriptures only and try to imagine a living monk.
We might think that the monks' life is just a fairy tale.
“As the lamp consumes oil, the path realises Nibbana”
form
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Re: Which is Best

Post by form »

None of the above.
SarathW
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Re: Which is Best

Post by SarathW »

form wrote: Sat Jan 01, 2022 3:10 am None of the above.
So what is your best?
“As the lamp consumes oil, the path realises Nibbana”
form
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Re: Which is Best

Post by form »

SarathW wrote: Sat Jan 01, 2022 3:24 am
form wrote: Sat Jan 01, 2022 3:10 am None of the above.
So what is your best?
Modern and applicable approach.
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Ceisiwr
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Re: Which is Best

Post by Ceisiwr »

form wrote: Sat Jan 01, 2022 4:50 am
SarathW wrote: Sat Jan 01, 2022 3:24 am
form wrote: Sat Jan 01, 2022 3:10 am None of the above.
So what is your best?
Modern and applicable approach.
McDhamma with fries please.
“Knowing that this body is just like foam,
understanding it has the nature of a mirage,
cutting off Māra’s flower-tipped arrows,
one should go beyond the King of Death’s sight.”
BrokenBones
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Re: Which is Best

Post by BrokenBones »

Which scriptures?
form
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Re: Which is Best

Post by form »

The best way is to read from great modern teachers to get a good overview first.
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Ceisiwr
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Re: Which is Best

Post by Ceisiwr »

form wrote: Sat Jan 01, 2022 6:30 am The best way is to read from great modern teachers to get a good overview first.
Some of those teachers would have you believe that consciousness is permanent and so Nibbana, or there really is a self etc etc.
“Knowing that this body is just like foam,
understanding it has the nature of a mirage,
cutting off Māra’s flower-tipped arrows,
one should go beyond the King of Death’s sight.”
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Ceisiwr
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Location: Wales

Re: Which is Best

Post by Ceisiwr »

BrokenBones wrote: Sat Jan 01, 2022 6:26 am Which scriptures?
Suttas and sutras
“Knowing that this body is just like foam,
understanding it has the nature of a mirage,
cutting off Māra’s flower-tipped arrows,
one should go beyond the King of Death’s sight.”
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JamesTheGiant
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Re: Which is Best

Post by JamesTheGiant »

Actual practise, under the guidance of a master, is the best thing.
Scripture and tradition are easy to understand when you have personal experience of the things described.
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Bhikkhu Pesala
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Re: Which is Best

Post by Bhikkhu Pesala »

Neither of the above. See Caṅkī Suttaṃ from paragraph 430 onwards.
Caṅkī Sutta wrote:430. “In that way, good Gotama, there is the protection of the truth; in that way there is guarding of the truth; in that way we accept that the truth is protected. How then, good Gotama, is there awakening to the truth? We ask the good Gotama about awakening to the truth.”
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