We know about the Dhamma because of the suttas.

[retrofuturist]

Greetings,

The suttas are cool.



Metta,
Retro.

[alan]

Damn straight they are Retro!

[Spiny Norman]

So we all agree that reading the suttas is important? Great. And we all agree that the suttas are the basis of all teachings. And I won't hear any disagreements, right?

Yes, the suttas are the best thing since sliced bread.

[daverupa]

[D][M][_S_][_A_][__K__]

[cbonanno]

I'm astonished to see any argument otherwise. Where would we be without them?
You don't have to revere them, but if you are a Buddhist, everything you know, or think you know, comes from the original teachings. We can argue about points, we can disagree about how best to practice. But we all owe a debt of gratitude to the Buddha for teaching. Where best to find that? In the suttas, of course. They are the best representation of his teachings, and you should read them.

While we know the Dhamma because of the suttas, we do not need the suttas to know the Dhamma.

The Suttas are like a raft, yes? Just know that you are using them to cross the stream rather than be pulled by its currents.

[santa100]

[D][M][..S..][1..11][K]

[tiltbillings]

[D][M][..S..][1..11][K]

?

[santa100]

Oh sorry, guess my decoding of Dave's message makes it worse... They're the 5 Great Books: Digha, Majjhima, etc..

[danieLion]

And we all agree that the suttas are the basis of all teachings. And I won't hear any disagreements, right?

No. The Buddha is the basis of his teachings. He's on record (in the Vinaya) saying he didn't want his teachings written down. Add this to the message of the Kalama Sutta and you have a powerful reason not to invest absolute faith in the suttas, but rather to read them critically.

[Polar Bear]

And we all agree that the suttas are the basis of all teachings. And I won't hear any disagreements, right?

No. The Buddha is the basis of his teachings. He's on record (in the Vinaya) saying he didn't want his teachings written down. Add this to the message of the Kalama Sutta and you have a powerful reason not to invest absolute faith in the suttas, but rather to read them critically.

Well, the Buddha's dead, so if you would kindly show me the writing where the Buddha says he doesn't want his teachings written down I would appreciate it.

[danieLion]

And we all agree that the suttas are the basis of all teachings. And I won't hear any disagreements, right?

No. The Buddha is the basis of his teachings. He's on record (in the Vinaya) saying he didn't want his teachings written down. Add this to the message of the Kalama Sutta and you have a powerful reason not to invest absolute faith in the suttas, but rather to read them critically.

Well, the Buddha's dead, so if you would kindly show me the writing where the Buddha says he doesn't want his teachings written down I would appreciate it.

Vinayapitaka Cullavagga V, 33

[cbonanno]

Vinayapitaka Cullavagga V, 33

I will read that sutta verse critically.

Do you have the text for that, or a link?

[daverupa]

Vinayapitaka Cullavagga V, 33

You must be referring to the idea those monks had of having the teachings formally put into Sanskrit, rather than local dialects. The Buddha ruled as follows:

You are not, O Bhikkhus, to put the word of the Buddhas into (Sanskrit) verse. Whosoever does so, shall be guilty of a dukkata. I allow you, O Bhikkhus, to learn the word of the Buddhas each in his own dialect.

[alan]

Perhaps this is just my prejudice, but I'm of the opinion that a basic understanding of the suttas is a necessity for anyone who is serious about the path.
Ignoring them, or, even worse, assuming you know better, is just a sign of ignorance.

[danieLion]

Perhaps this is just my prejudice, but I'm of the opinion that a basic understanding of the suttas is a necessity for anyone who is serious about the path.
Ignoring them, or, even worse, assuming you know better, is just a sign of ignorance.

Did you have someone specific in mind, and/or something particular he/she/they did, said or believe?

I agree that a basic understanding of the suttas is necessary for anyone serious about the path. But such and understanding is impossible without a basic agreement as to which parts are authentic and which parts are not.