Guide to Tipitaka

Canonical Pâli Buddhist Literature of the Theravâda School

by U Ko Lay | 48,543 words

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Part I - Devadaha Vagga

(1) Devadaha Sutta

This discourse was given by the Buddha at Devadaha in the country of the Sakyans to refute the wrong views of the Niganthas The Niganthas believed that whatever a person experienced in this life was caused by former action They practised austerity as a penance to put an end to the result of former action. The Buddha taught them the right path that would lead to the end of suffering.

(2) Pancattaya Sutta

This discourse was given by the Buddha to bhikkhus at Savatthi to explain the wrong beliefs of other sects speculating on whether the world is finite or infinite, etc

(3) ffinti Sutta

This discourse was given by the Buddha at Kus ; nira. The Buddha explained that he taught the dhamma not for the sake of gain, such as robes, alms-food, lodgings, etc., nor in expectation of future happy existences His teachings, namely, the Four Methods of Steadfast Mindfulness, the Four Right Efforts, etc , in short, the Thirty-seven Factors of Enlightenment were for the attainment of higher knowledge leading to the end of suffering Whenever there was a dispute over the doctrine with regard to meanings and words, it should be resolved strictly in accordance with these dhammas

(4) Samagama Sutta

Nigantha Nataputta had recently died at Pava and his followers had split into two groups On being informed by Ananda that he was worried lest there be such a schism among the Order, after the passing away of the Buddha, the Buddha taught this discourse on imperfect and perfect teachers and disciples, on disputes and their origin, and on the essentials for his Teaching

(5) Sunakkhatta Sutta

Bhikkhu Sunakkhatta, a former Licchavi prince, once enquired of the Buddha whether all the bhikkhus who came to the Buddha and declared their attainment of Arahatship actually attained it The Buddha said some of them actually did attain Arahatship whereas some deceived themselves; again others claimed Arahatship, knowing full well that they were not entitled to it, simply to trouble him with unnecessary questions The Buddha then taught him the essential dhammas in which one must become accomplished before one could claim Arahatship.

(6) Anefija-sappaya Sutta

This discourse was given by the Buddha while he was staying once at Kammasadhamma, in the country of the Kuras The Buddha explained to the bhikkhus the dangers of enjoying sensual pleasure, which were transitory, empty and deceptive He said he had shown them the path leading to imperturbability (Anefija-sappaya), to the realm of Nothingness, to the realm of Neither Consciousness Nor Non-Consciousness, and ultimately to Nibbana He then urged the bhikkhus: "Go to the forest, to solitude Strive hard in meditation "

(7) Gapakamoggallana Sutta

The Buddha was once asked by the Brahmin Ganaka Moggallana whether there were systematic rules, practices and methods in his Teaching, just as there were training rules, manuals, guidance in various branches of worldly knowledge The Buddha told him about the Dhamma giving details about precepts to be observed, disciplinary rules to be followed, various concentrations to be developed and jhanas and pafifias to be achieved step by step

(8) Gopakamoggallana Sutta

Two leading brahmins of Rajagaha asked the Venerable Ananda whether the Buddha had appointed a particular thera to be the head of the Sarhgha after he passed away Ananda informed them there was no such person No person could substitute the Buddha They wanted to know then if the Samgha had agreed upon a certain bhikkhu to be their head When Ananda told them there was no such person, they_wondered how the Samgha could remain in agreement and unity Ananda then explained to them that they had indeed found refuge in the Dhamma and how the Samgha of each locality recited together the Patimokkha, the summary of disciplinary rules, every half month

(9) Mahapuppama Sutta

The Buddha was sitting in the midst of a large number of bhikkhus out in the open on a full moon night. All the bhikkhus were intently engaged in meditation. The silence of the night was broken by the oldest of the meditating bhikkhus who, with the permission of the Buddha, asked him about the five aggregates of grasping, how craving developed with respect to each aggregate, and how craving would cease The Buddha explained each point raised by the bhikkhu to the great benefit of the assembled Samgha

(10) Culapuppama Sutta

This discourse was given on how to differentiate between a good man and a bad man, with detailed description of the characteristics of good and bad men 

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