Bhikkhu Bodhi
See: here for background:
I. Right UnderstandingThis small book collects key teachings on conflict resolution, interpersonal and social problem-solving, and the forging of harmonious relationships. Most of the suttas are available on-line, but to read Bhikkhu Bodhi's commentary you will have to purchase the book.
I will add these suttas to our study cycle, working through the suttas chapter by chapter, inviting, in particular, comments on how these teachings can be applied to our lives. I will use the Sutta Central facility to highlight sutta sections, but sometimes will copy and paste text.
The Buddha taught that right understanding, or "right view" is the forerunner of the path to liberation. In this first chapter Bhikkhu Bodhi has assembled a number of suttas on Right View. These texts emphasise the veiw of one's personal responsibility for one's actions, rather then the right view that leads to liberation.
1. Right View Comes First MN 117
2. Understanding the Unwholesome and the Wholesome MN 9
3. A Miscellany on Kamma AN 6.63
4. Beings Fare According to Their Kamma AN 8.11
5. When you Know for Yourselves AN 3.65
6. A Teaching Applicable to Oneself SN 55.7
Bhikkhu Bodhi's translation:
- Then those brahmin householders of Bamboo Gate approached the Blessed One. Having approached, some paid homage to the Blessed One and sat down to one side. Some greeted the Blessed One and, having exchanged greetings and cordial talk, sat down to one side. Some extended their joined hands in reverential salutation towards the Blessed One and sat down to one side. Some announced their name and clan to the Blessed One and sat down to one side. Some remained silent and sat down to one side. Sitting to one side, those brahmin householders of Bamboo Gate said to the Blessed One:
“Master Gotama, we have such wishes, desires, and hopes as these: ‘May we dwell in a home crowded with children! May we enjoy Kāsian sandalwood! May we wear garlands, scents, and unguents! May we receive gold and silver! With the breakup of the body, after death, may we be reborn in a good destination, in a heavenly world!’ As we have such wishes, desires, and hopes, let Master Gotama teach us the Dhamma in such a way that we might dwell in a home crowded with children … and with the breakup of the body, after death, we might be reborn in a good destination, in a heavenly world.”
“I will teach you, householders, a Dhamma exposition applicable to oneself Listen to that and attend closely, I will speak.”
“Yes, sir,” those brahmin householders of Bamboo Gate replied. The Blessed One said this:
“What, householders, is the Dhamma exposition applicable to oneself? Here, householders, a noble disciple reflects thus: ‘I am one who wishes to live, who does not wish to die; I desire happiness and am averse to suffering. Since I am one who wishes to live … and am averse to suffering, if someone were to take my life, that would not be pleasing and agreeable to me. Now if I were to take the life of another—of one who wishes to live, who does not wish to die, who desires happiness and is averse to suffering—that would not be pleasing and agreeable to the other either. What is displeasing and disagreeable to me is displeasing and disagreeable to the other too. How can I inflict upon another what is displeasing and disagreeable to me?’ Having reflected thus, he himself abstains from the destruction of life, exhorts others to abstain from the destruction of life, and speaks in praise of abstinence from the destruction of life. Thus this bodily conduct of his is purified in three respects.