Sutta Pāli vs Commentary Pāli

Explore the ancient language of the Tipitaka and Theravāda commentaries
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frank k
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Re: Sutta vs Commenrtary

Post by frank k »

That's not answering the question, that's called eel-wriggling (which you've done at least 3 times now for this simple question).
As far as I can tell, "ancient sangha" includes both the Theravada commentary you say is reliable, and Visuddhimagga commentary, which came a few hundred years later.
Those two ancient sanghas contradict each other on the definition of kāya in the jhānas. Which ancient sangha is correct?

Eko Care wrote: Sun Apr 24, 2022 4:58 pm
frank k wrote: What do you believe kāya means in the jhāna context? Do you side with the commentators, Abhidhamma, or Vism.?

In the case of all the critical words in the jhāna formula (samādhi, jhāna, ekaggata, vitakka, vicāra, etc.), I don't go by the dictionary. I looked at every single relevant sutta passage, and tried to deduce the meaning in context. Like a baby learning a new language by hearing doesn't know how to use a dictionary, they deduce meanings by critical thinking and checking for coherence.
Dictionary is better than deductions of many modern people.

Without learning the Abhidhamma and commentaries beforehand, you can't deduce many words in context.

It is like an attempt to learn surgery alone, independent of other aspects of medicine.
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Eko Care
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Re: Sutta vs Commenrtary

Post by Eko Care »

Those two ancient sanghas contradict each other on the definition of kāya in the jhānas. Which ancient sangha is correct? ..
They never contradict. This idea has arisen due to misunderstanding simple grammar.
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tharpa
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Re: Sutta vs Commenrtary

Post by tharpa »

frank k wrote: Tue Mar 29, 2022 10:46 am Commentary is kind of hit and miss. Some of it agrees with a straightforward reading of the sutta, some if it is dubious, some of it just flat out contradicts the suttas.
+1
It is rice mixed with poison. It often magnifies the most dubious parts of the Tipitika.
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santa100
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Re: Sutta Pāli vs Commentary Pāli

Post by santa100 »

tharpa wrote:It is rice mixed with poison. It often magnifies the most dubious parts of the Tipitika.
Wow, 1/3 of the Tipitaka is poisoned rice? Hmm...
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