is a great example of story telling. There is nothing in it about jhana, or the tell-tale examples of Buddhist doctrine that we find our selves sometimes arguing about.
It is a story about how the Buddha arrived at a certain destination and smiled.
What follows, to my immediate delight, was a tale about Kassappa Buddha and a dedicated follower.So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was wandering in the land of the Kosalans together with a large Saṅgha of mendicants. Then the Buddha left the road, and at a certain spot he smiled.
Then Venerable Ānanda thought, “What is the cause, what is the reason why the Buddha smiled? Realized Ones do not smile for no reason.”
It is just a tale about a dedicated follower, however, it exemplifies the story telling ability of the Buddha.
I would encourage all to read it. And, more importantly, what is your favourite tale from the MN selection? It is not always about defining the key features of Buddhism. We often find gems here.
As I have revisited this MN selection in my late 30’s I am now, more than ever, impressed by the Buddha’s story telling ability. Having used meditation to cure a back injury that has hampered me for over six years, I am now in a comfortable place to appreciate some of the suttas in a different light.
The intriguing nature of the jhanas is what once drew faith in me in my early 20’s. As a man approaching 40, I have developed an understanding of meditation on my own with the help of suttas like the “Upanisa Sutta” - and have settled pains in my body to the extent that I can appreciate the suttas in different ways.
Please post and describe your favourite story telling suttas from the Tripitaka. It need not recite the fundamentals of Buddhism. Even a sutta dispelling the myth of the caste system is the kind of thing I’m aiming at.
Blessings to all. Pondera