Sutta study: where to start

Exploring the Dhamma, as understood from the perspective of the ancient Pali commentaries.
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jungblood
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Sutta study: where to start

Post by jungblood »

Hello all,

I'm a Zen student, but very interested in studying the Pali canon more in-depth... I'm figuring I'll get started on Bhikku Bodhi's translations, starting with 'In the Buddha's Words: An Anthology of Discourses'... Obviously the Pali canon is pretty huge, and it's unlikely I'll manage to cover it all in this lifetime(!) , but I'm wondering is there a logical/sequential approach... Any input on where to go next after 'In Buddha's Words' would be much appreciated... Many thanks my Theravadan friends! - I'm deeply grateful for your practice...

Deep bows,
Lucas
:anjali:
'Renunciation' http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/auth ... bl036.html
'Trading candy for gold': http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/auth ... candy.html

'The more we really know the Dhamma, the more we can let go. Those who know a little can let go of a little; those who know a lot can let go of a lot.' - Ajaan Lee
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Kare
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Re: Sutta study: where to start

Post by Kare »

You might try Ñanamoli: "The Life of the Buddha", http://allfreebooks.weebly.com/uploads/ ... 612629.pdf

This book consists of excerpts from the Suttas and also the Commentaries, presented in the chronological frame of the life of the Buddha. And it presents central aspects of the teaching.
Mettāya,
Kåre
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Mkoll
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Re: Sutta study: where to start

Post by Mkoll »

Dear jungblood,

I'm glad to hear you're delving into the Pali Canon! I'd say you're off to a good start; Ven. Bodhi's anthology was the first serious one that I read. After that, I'd recommend for deeper reading going into the Digha Nikaya and Majjhima Nikaya which have English translations by Maurice Walshe and Ven. Bodhi, respectively. For less dense work (shorter passages), check out the Dhammapada, Sutta Nipata, Theragatha, Therigatha, Udana, and Itivuttaka from the Khuddaka Nikaya. Also, check out Access to Insight's page, Befriending the Suttas. Finally, this forum has some great lists of resources; check out the stickies in each of the forums.

Really, the whole Sutta Pitaka is a fount of wisdom and you can't really go wrong no matter what you read!

:anjali:
Namo tassa bhagavato arahato samma sambuddhassa
Namo tassa bhagavato arahato samma sambuddhassa
Namo tassa bhagavato arahato samma sambuddhassa
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mikenz66
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Re: Sutta study: where to start

Post by mikenz66 »

And note that Bhikkhu Bodhi has a series of lectures on his book, In the Buddha's Words. See: http://dhammawheel.com/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=2392

He also has a thematic series on the MN: http://bodhimonastery.org/a-systematic- ... ikaya.html

And there are quite a few lectures out there on suttas, particularly the MN, e.g.:
http://dhammawheel.com/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=2392

:anjali:
Mike
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jungblood
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Re: Sutta study: where to start

Post by jungblood »

Thanks everyone for your input here... this is really helpful, and the materials you've highlighted are a real treasure trove... I'm glad I found this 'online sangha' - Though I'm a zen student heart, I'm learning so much by engaging more with the Theravada canon... you¡re input is much appreciated - I hope I can contribute to others' journey as much in time... :anjali:
'Renunciation' http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/auth ... bl036.html
'Trading candy for gold': http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/auth ... candy.html

'The more we really know the Dhamma, the more we can let go. Those who know a little can let go of a little; those who know a lot can let go of a lot.' - Ajaan Lee
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Kare
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Re: Sutta study: where to start

Post by Kare »

jungblood wrote:Thanks everyone for your input here... this is really helpful, and the materials you've highlighted are a real treasure trove... I'm glad I found this 'online sangha' - Though I'm a zen student heart, I'm learning so much by engaging more with the Theravada canon... you¡re input is much appreciated - I hope I can contribute to others' journey as much in time... :anjali:
In my view, studying theravada with a zen student's heart, is one of the best ways of approaching Buddhism. :anjali:
Mettāya,
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fivebells
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Re: Sutta study: where to start

Post by fivebells »

I come from a Mahayana background, too. Studying Theravada has been very beneficial for me because it has a much stronger focus on getting the fundamentals right than any Mahayana practitioners I've ever met.
Ananda26
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Re: Sutta study: where to start

Post by Ananda26 »

jungblood wrote:Hello all,

I'm a Zen student, but very interested in studying the Pali canon more in-depth... I'm figuring I'll get started on Bhikku Bodhi's translations, starting with 'In the Buddha's Words: An Anthology of Discourses'... Obviously the Pali canon is pretty huge, and it's unlikely I'll manage to cover it all in this lifetime(!) , but I'm wondering is there a logical/sequential approach... Any input on where to go next after 'In Buddha's Words' would be much appreciated... Many thanks my Theravadan friends! - I'm deeply grateful for your practice...

Deep bows,
Lucas
:anjali:
Long Discourses of the Buddha, Middle Length Discourses of the Buddha, Connected Discourses of the Buddha. These 3 have been published by Wisdom Publication.

Numerical Discourses of the Buddha published Pali Text Society and distributed in America by Pavaratti Bookstore in Washington State.

Sutta Nipata, Udana, Ittukvitaka, Theragathas, Therigathas.
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