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Re: best suttas to memorize? techniques?

Posted: Thu Dec 27, 2012 8:13 am
by Cittasanto
alan... wrote:
Cittasanto wrote:
alan... wrote:i think this question could be a headline for this entire forum sometimes :tongue: just kidding. but i do agree with you on this particular thread sir.
sometimes it is useful others it is pointless.
but to get back on topic.
I like Dmytros suggestion. but put on your list Mangala sutta & Karaniya metta sutta. both worth having in the toolbox.
i especially like the metta sutta as it is very short and straight to the point, no intro or outro, just practical advice. good suggestion. i'll have to look into the mangala sutta, not familiar with it.

EDIT: the mangala sutta is beautiful. made my heart all gushy, cuts straight to the core. thanks.
I think in practical terms these two are hard to beat no matter the length. but the Dhammacakkhapavatena sutta is supremely useful.

Re: best suttas to memorize? techniques?

Posted: Thu Dec 27, 2012 2:39 pm
by equilibrium
There is a saying: One cannot SEE beyond what one CANNOT understand!

The water in the fish tank appears to be muddy, it is best to let the water rest so we can "SEE" better.

Re: best suttas to memorize? techniques?

Posted: Thu Dec 27, 2012 3:27 pm
by tiltbillings
equilibrium wrote:There is a saying: One cannot SEE beyond what one CANNOT understand!

The water in the fish tank appears to be muddy, it is best to let the water rest so we can "SEE" better.
And so you accurately characterize your criticism. Very perceptive on your part.

Re: best suttas to memorize? techniques?

Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2012 8:16 pm
by vitellius
alan... wrote:i'm working on memorizing satipatthana right now. this one is very inclusive.
The most inclusive one is the Sangiti Sutta (DN33).

Re: best suttas to memorize? techniques?

Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2012 9:13 pm
by mirco
alan... wrote:i'm working on memorizing satipatthana right now. this one is very inclusive. are there any others that would be good?
Chachakka Sutta
(M148)

This one, besides M146 & M147, is to assist with the realization of "anatta".
But complete versions only. For your own good don't use abridgements.
Very powerful.

:-)

Re: best suttas to memorize? techniques?

Posted: Sun Dec 30, 2012 6:37 am
by alan...
Cittasanto wrote: I think in practical terms these two are hard to beat no matter the length. but the Dhammacakkhapavatena sutta is supremely useful.
yeah see i love this sutta and it's on my list but it's not got a lot of advice directly explaining practice. it's certainly a sutta that includes information i would want memorized though after i memorize satipatthana.

Re: best suttas to memorize? techniques?

Posted: Sun Dec 30, 2012 6:40 am
by tiltbillings
Don't forget as part of your practice of memorization that you write out by hand what you have memorized.

Re: best suttas to memorize? techniques?

Posted: Sun Dec 30, 2012 6:41 am
by alan...
Oleksandr wrote:
alan... wrote:i'm working on memorizing satipatthana right now. this one is very inclusive.
The most inclusive one is the Sangiti Sutta (DN33).

WHAT???? how have i never read this one before? all inclusive is putting it lightly!!! wow.

Re: best suttas to memorize? techniques?

Posted: Sun Dec 30, 2012 6:42 am
by alan...
tiltbillings wrote:Don't forget as part of your practice of memorization that you write out by hand what you have memorized.
i did this at first but once i got to page three it became to much. didn't people originally memorize them and not write them down at all?

Re: best suttas to memorize? techniques?

Posted: Sun Dec 30, 2012 6:45 am
by alan...
mirco wrote:
alan... wrote:i'm working on memorizing satipatthana right now. this one is very inclusive. are there any others that would be good?
Chachakka Sutta
(M148)

This one, besides M146 & M147, is to assist with the realization of "anatta".
But complete versions only. For your own good don't use abridgements.
Very powerful.

:-)
thanks i will be reading these soon.

Re: best suttas to memorize? techniques?

Posted: Sun Dec 30, 2012 6:51 am
by tiltbillings
alan... wrote:
tiltbillings wrote:Don't forget as part of your practice of memorization that you write out by hand what you have memorized.
i did this at first but once i got to page three it became to much. didn't people originally memorize them and not write them down at all?
The writing is an obviously physical activity, which adds to the solidity of what you memorized. I not suggesting that you write it every time you recite it, but the writing is a discipline that is worth doing, if not just for cultivating patience alone.

Re: best suttas to memorize? techniques?

Posted: Sun Dec 30, 2012 7:00 am
by alan...
tiltbillings wrote:
alan... wrote:
tiltbillings wrote:Don't forget as part of your practice of memorization that you write out by hand what you have memorized.
i did this at first but once i got to page three it became to much. didn't people originally memorize them and not write them down at all?
The writing is a obviously physical activity, which adds to the solidity of what you memorized. I not suggesting that you write it every time you recite it, but the writing is a discipline that is worth doing, if not just for cultivating patience alone.
you're very right. my speed of memorization dropped sharply when i stopped writing it, i just can't find the time or paper to write a fifteen page sutta...

Re: best suttas to memorize? techniques?

Posted: Sun Dec 30, 2012 8:21 am
by Cittasanto
alan... wrote:
Cittasanto wrote: I think in practical terms these two are hard to beat no matter the length. but the Dhammacakkhapavatena sutta is supremely useful.
yeah see i love this sutta and it's on my list but it's not got a lot of advice directly explaining practice. it's certainly a sutta that includes information i would want memorized though after i memorize satipatthana.
does a map directly explain or point in the direction?
the Dhammacakkha Sutta is telling us far more that you may think as it is what some would call a wisdom text.

So try really reading it.


And tilts advise to write it down is excellent.
you could use spare pieces of paper or specially bought pieces & then bind them yourself later.

Here are some of my scribbles

Re: best suttas to memorize? techniques?

Posted: Sun Dec 30, 2012 5:31 pm
by vitellius
alan... wrote:
Oleksandr wrote:The most inclusive one is the Sangiti Sutta (DN33).
WHAT???? how have i never read this one before? all inclusive is putting it lightly!!! wow.
I'm glad that it was useful.

Well, this one is just not a part of the set of suttas that are popular in the West at the moment. That's how, I believe :)

Re: best suttas to memorize? techniques?

Posted: Sun Dec 30, 2012 5:54 pm
by befriend
i think an important topic for sutta memorization is non anger. dont know the name but its like when one flares up at someone who is angry matters get worse, when one does not flare up one wins a battle hard to win, theres more to it, its only like a short paragraph long but good to keep in mind. metta, befriend