Buddhist Texts with Empowerments and Transmissions
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Buddhist Texts with Empowerments and Transmissions
Does anyone know about the origin of this pair of closely related ideas and whether they were applied to Theravada Buddhism? I have read that the Abhidhamma Pitaka traditionally was kept secret in a way similar to tantric texts (which definitely are passed with Empowerments and Transmissions), but any further confirmation of this claim would interest me.
Re: Buddhist Texts with Empowerments and Transmissions
Abhidhamma Pitaka did not concealed away like what Mahayana did.
Abhidhamma was preserved in the form of Matika first. Then it was compiled thorughout the three councils and finally become 7 books.
Abhidhamma was preserved in the form of Matika first. Then it was compiled thorughout the three councils and finally become 7 books.
Hiriottappasampannā,
sukkadhammasamāhitā;
Santo sappurisā loke,
devadhammāti vuccare.
https://suttacentral.net/ja6/en/chalmer ... ight=false
sukkadhammasamāhitā;
Santo sappurisā loke,
devadhammāti vuccare.
https://suttacentral.net/ja6/en/chalmer ... ight=false
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Re: Buddhist Texts with Empowerments and Transmissions
You mean the story that it was hidden undersea by nagas....that seems a little different.4GreatHeavenlyKings wrote: ↑Wed Oct 20, 2021 2:14 am I have read that the Abhidhamma Pitaka traditionally was kept secret in a way similar to tantric texts (which definitely are passed with Empowerments and Transmissions), but any further confirmation of this claim would interest me.
Re: Buddhist Texts with Empowerments and Transmissions
Nagas hid the Abhidhamma. Too good.
No. You mean the story that the Buddha taught the Abhidhamma to the gods and let Ven Sāriputta in on the recitation, forwarding the information to him. There is a medieval Chinese myth that Venerable Nāgārjuna visited an underwater Nāga city where they had preserved the Prajñāpāramitā. It doesn't appear in any sūtras.
I wish you better luck next time in your sectarian fault-finding and more accuracy in your recounting of medieval folk tales.
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.
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.
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- Posts: 112
- Joined: Mon Oct 04, 2021 9:03 pm
Re: Buddhist Texts with Empowerments and Transmissions
Unlike the Lotus Sutra that keeps Sariputra around to make fun of him, in Theravada Sariputta died a few months before Buddha, so how could him knowing the Abhidhamma help its transmission at all?Coëmgenu wrote: ↑Wed Oct 20, 2021 11:31 am
Nagas hid the Abhidhamma. Too good.
No. You mean the story that the Buddha taught the Abhidhamma to the gods and let Ven Sāriputta in on the recitation, forwarding the information to him. There is a medieval Chinese myth that Venerable Nāgārjuna visited an underwater Nāga city where they had preserved the Prajñāpāramitā. It doesn't appear in any sūtras.
I wish you better luck next time in your sectarian fault-finding and more accuracy in your recounting of medieval folk tales.
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Re: Buddhist Texts with Empowerments and Transmissions
To answer your question, it may be worth reviewing the multiple places in the Pali canon where the Buddha criticized teachers to taught "secret" teachings, magical empowements, elitist dhammas, etc. The Buddhas genius was that he was not duplicitous in his teachings, and did't instruct with a closed fist.
Re: Buddhist Texts with Empowerments and Transmissions
I need a facepalm emoji.josaphatbarlaam wrote: ↑Wed Oct 20, 2021 6:33 pmUnlike the Lotus Sutra that keeps Sariputra around to make fun of him, in Theravada Sariputta died a few months before Buddha, so how could him knowing the Abhidhamma help its transmission at all?Coëmgenu wrote: ↑Wed Oct 20, 2021 11:31 am
Nagas hid the Abhidhamma. Too good.
No. You mean the story that the Buddha taught the Abhidhamma to the gods and let Ven Sāriputta in on the recitation, forwarding the information to him. There is a medieval Chinese myth that Venerable Nāgārjuna visited an underwater Nāga city where they had preserved the Prajñāpāramitā. It doesn't appear in any sūtras.
I wish you better luck next time in your sectarian fault-finding and more accuracy in your recounting of medieval folk tales.
You mean the Vimalakīrtinirdeśa. Ven Śāriputra gets celestial flowers blown at him by a goddess and they stick to his robe. Ven Śāriputra knocks at Vimalakīrti's house and the layman pretends that no one is home.
Where, oh where, in the LS is Ven Śāriputra treated so?
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.
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.
Re: Buddhist Texts with Empowerments and Transmissions
Also, you haven't read the Parinibbānasutta. Ven Śāriputra makes an anomalous surprise return.
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.
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.