Significance of Sakkapanha-sutta

The Sakkapanha-sutta is a significant text in both Mahayana and Theravada traditions. In Mahayana, it captures the questions posed by Sakka (Indra) during his visit to the Buddha. Conversely, Theravada describes it as a discourse in which Sakka inquires about hostility, leading to the Buddha's insights on desire and mental preoccupation. This highlights the sutta's role in exploring deep spiritual themes and the interaction between divine questioning and Buddhist teachings.

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Buddhist concept of 'Sakkapanha-sutta'

Buddhism Books

The Sakkapanha-sutta features Sakka, the deva king, questioning the Buddha about hostility. In response, the Buddha provides insights into desire and mental preoccupation, illustrating the discourse's significance in understanding Buddhist teachings on emotions.

Significance in Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism):
Mahayana Books

(1) A text that records the questions posed by Sakka (Indra) to the Buddha during his visit to the cave.[1]

Mahayana is a major branch of Buddhism focusing on the path of a Bodhisattva (spiritual aspirants/ enlightened beings). Extant literature is vast and primarely composed in the Sanskrit language. There are many sutras of which some of the earliest are the various Prajnaparamita sutras.

Significance in Theravada (major branch of Buddhism):
Theravada Books

(1) A discourse in which Sakka, the king of devas, questions the Buddha about the nature of hostility, to which the Buddha responds with insights into desire and mental preoccupation.[2]

Theravada is a major branch of Buddhism having the the Pali canon (tipitaka) as their canonical literature, which includes the vinaya-pitaka (monastic rules), the sutta-pitaka (Buddhist sermons) and the abhidhamma-pitaka (philosophy and psychology).