How do Pa-auk Sayadaw's teachings hold up to the EBTs?

Textual analysis and comparative discussion on early Buddhist sects and scriptures.
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dylanj
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How do Pa-auk Sayadaw's teachings hold up to the EBTs?

Post by dylanj »

thx
Born, become, arisen – made, prepared, short-lived
Bonded by decay and death – a nest for sickness, perishable
Produced by seeking nutriment – not fit to take delight in


Departure from this is peaceful – beyond reasoning and enduring
Unborn, unarisen – free from sorrow and stain
Ceasing of all factors of suffering – stilling of all preparations is bliss
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Subharo
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Re: How do Pa-auk Sayadaw's teachings hold up to the EBTs?

Post by Subharo »

That sound of crickets you hear in response to your question is your answer.
Last edited by Subharo on Wed Jan 24, 2018 5:15 am, edited 1 time in total.
Subharo Bhikkhu
"There is but one taste on this path, the taste of freedom" -The Buddha :buddha1:
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mikenz66
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Re: How do Pa-auk Sayadaw's teachings hold up to the EBTs?

Post by mikenz66 »

It's kind of a non-question, since Pa-auk's approach is firmly grounded in the Commentaries and Visuddhimagga. So, it's really a question of whether one regards those later developments as a logical progression that is compatible with the suttas, or as something deviant. There's little point in rehashing those arguments. Some find the Theravada approach really helpful, some don't. YMMV.

Having said that, Pa Auk teaches a highly-absorbed jhana approach that is comparable to, say Ajahn Brahm (access to jhana via light nimittas, deep absorption isolated from external stimulus, insight developed after exiting the jhana). Ajahn Brahm, claims to be teaching from the suttas.

Whereas many other "sutta" teachers teach a very different, much less absorbed, jhana, within which one can gain insight:
http://www.leighb.com/jhanantp.htm

However, the Early Buddhism Forum is probably not the place for discussions of how the various modern teachers interpret jhana in their various ways. There is already a Great Jhana Debate thread here:
viewtopic.php?f=43&t=4597

:heart:
Mike
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