How about this approach for the Nikaya?

A discussion on all aspects of Theravāda Buddhism
form
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How about this approach for the Nikaya?

Post by form »

Focus only on 4NT and 8FP. Dun let the rest confused you
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cappuccino
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Re: How about this approach for the Nikaya?

Post by cappuccino »

reading the scriptures every day would be enough


nothing short of that seems to be enough
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Re: How about this approach for the Nikaya?

Post by form »

cappuccino wrote: Mon Oct 26, 2020 1:19 am reading the scriptures every day would be enough


nothing short of that seems to be enough
The problem is the minor details will confuse
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Re: How about this approach for the Nikaya?

Post by cappuccino »

form wrote: Mon Oct 26, 2020 1:34 am The problem is the minor details will confuse
read in order to resolve things
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Re: How about this approach for the Nikaya?

Post by Inedible »

From time to time I plan to read the Suttas as a way of changing the way I think. It leads to changing my feelings, beliefs, values, and actions. Gradually. But it isn't meditation. Hearing, contemplation, and meditation. Those are the three stages of incorporating wisdom. You can spend years on the first two stages without getting anywhere.
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Re: How about this approach for the Nikaya?

Post by cappuccino »

Zen is the school of meditation


lacking the actual teaching
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Re: How about this approach for the Nikaya?

Post by Inedible »

Please don't knock putting in time on the cushion. Zen is fast and direct. It has plenty of teaching, too.
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Re: How about this approach for the Nikaya?

Post by cappuccino »

Inedible wrote: Mon Oct 26, 2020 2:49 am Zen is fast and direct. It has plenty of teaching, too.
like Advaita, you can't understand, because it's nonsense


all the while, you imagine it's too advanced
Last edited by cappuccino on Mon Oct 26, 2020 3:04 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: How about this approach for the Nikaya?

Post by Inedible »

It has been a while, but I used to practice with a Soto Zen group. They valued the Heart and Diamond Cutter Sutras. At first they sat to meditate more and did housework between sits. Walking and sitting meditation. My mind always seemed cleaner after sitting with them. I'd even start to see auras without trying. It was nice, but then they started meditating less and the real talent left the group. They lost the priest who ran it.
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Re: How about this approach for the Nikaya?

Post by cappuccino »

Inedible wrote: Mon Oct 26, 2020 3:01 am They valued the Heart and Diamond Sutras.
none of Buddha's actual teachings


I suppose they weren't ready
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Re: How about this approach for the Nikaya?

Post by Inedible »

It is the Diamond Cutter Sutra because it is sharper than diamonds. It cuts through the hardest substance known at the time.

I knew that the Mahayana has a tendency to look down on the Theravada, but it surprises me to see it when the feeling is mutual. Probably because I still haven't ever seen Theravada Buddhists in person.

And just to be clear, was this a thread about reading the Suttas or about setting them aside?
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Re: How about this approach for the Nikaya?

Post by form »

Inedible wrote: Mon Oct 26, 2020 3:25 am It is the Diamond Cutter Sutra because it is sharper than diamonds. It cuts through the hardest substance known at the time.

I knew that the Mahayana has a tendency to look down on the Theravada, but it surprises me to see it when the feeling is mutual. Probably because I still haven't ever seen Theravada Buddhists in person.

And just to be clear, was this a thread about reading the Suttas or about setting them aside?

Zen use this sutra.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C5%9A%C5 ... S%C5%ABtra
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Re: How about this approach for the Nikaya?

Post by SteRo »

form wrote: Mon Oct 26, 2020 12:42 am Focus only on 4NT and 8FP. Dun let the rest confused you
Full understanding of 4NT and 8FP depends on full understanding of doctrine.
Cleared. αδόξαστος.
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Re: How about this approach for the Nikaya?

Post by nirodh27 »

The first five ascetics didn't get Arahantship until they heard the second discourse about anatta. I think that many passages of the canon are simply indispensable to help one to develop right view, overcome some difficulties or improve the practice.

But it is a good idea in general to focus and constantly reflect on the 4nt and never to forget that the 8fold path consist of eight things to do and everyone of them is necessary.
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Re: How about this approach for the Nikaya?

Post by JamesTheGiant »

form wrote: Mon Oct 26, 2020 12:42 am Focus only on 4NT and 8FP. Dun let the rest confused you
Yes that's okay, if that is most clear for you.
But it's not ideal... it is better to keep reading and studying and learning.

You are right that the 4NT and the 8FP contain within them the entire path, the whole teaching.
Many parts of the dhamma are like holograms; If you realize these parts fully, the other parts are also realized.
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