SN 56.VII portrays a very ancient immoral world

Textual analysis and comparative discussion on early Buddhist sects and scriptures.
Post Reply
User avatar
DooDoot
Posts: 12032
Joined: Tue Aug 08, 2017 11:06 pm

SN 56.VII portrays a very ancient immoral world

Post by DooDoot »

Dear forum

I just noticed for the 1st time SN 56.VII, which contains the following suttas:
Then the Buddha, picking up a little bit of dirt under his fingernail, addressed the mendicants:

“What do you think, mendicants?

Which is more: the little bit of dirt under my fingernail, or this great earth?”

“Sir, the great earth is certainly more. The little bit of dirt under your fingernail is tiny.

Compared to the great earth, it can’t be reckoned or compared, it’s not even a fraction.”

https://suttacentral.net/sn56.61/en/sujato
“… the sentient beings who respect their mothers are few, while those who don’t are many. …”

https://suttacentral.net/sn56.66/en/sujato
“… the sentient beings who respect their fathers are few, while those who don’t are many. …”

https://suttacentral.net/sn56.67/en/sujato
“… the sentient beings who respect ascetics are few, while those who don’t are many. …”

https://suttacentral.net/sn56.68/en/sujato
“… the sentient beings who respect brahmins are few, while those who don’t are many. …”

https://suttacentral.net/sn56.69/en/sujato
“… the sentient beings who honor the elders in the family are few, while those who don’t are many. …”

https://suttacentral.net/sn56.70/en/sujato
“… the sentient beings who refrain from sexual misconduct are few, while those who don’t refrain are many. …”

https://suttacentral.net/sn56.73/en/sujato
“… the sentient beings who refrain from bribery, fraud, cheating, and duplicity are few, while those who don’t refrain are many. …”

https://suttacentral.net/sn56.95/en/sujato
“… the sentient beings who refrain from mutilation, murder, abduction, banditry, plunder, and violence are few, while those who don’t refrain are many.

https://suttacentral.net/sn56.96-101/en/sujato
:shock:
There is always an official executioner. If you try to take his place, It is like trying to be a master carpenter and cutting wood. If you try to cut wood like a master carpenter, you will only hurt your hand.

https://soundcloud.com/doodoot/paticcasamuppada
https://soundcloud.com/doodoot/anapanasati
SarathW
Posts: 21183
Joined: Mon Sep 10, 2012 2:49 am

Re: SN 56.VII portrays a very ancient immoral world

Post by SarathW »

I think we are living in an immoral world.
This is generally accepted even in the other religions. (Sodom and Gomorrah)
“As the lamp consumes oil, the path realises Nibbana”
User avatar
DooDoot
Posts: 12032
Joined: Tue Aug 08, 2017 11:06 pm

Re: SN 56.VII portrays a very ancient immoral world

Post by DooDoot »

SarathW wrote: Sun Aug 12, 2018 9:52 pmI think we are living in an immoral world.
The present world of Cultural Marxism is not the same world as the Buddha's life. Even in my childhood, adultery was not highly common. The impression from the suttas is the majority followed the family precepts.
SarathW wrote: Sun Aug 12, 2018 9:52 pmThis is generally accepted even in the other religions. (Sodom and Gomorrah)
Sodom and Gomorrah were two mythical towns and not the whole world. Regardless, I think its best to quote the suttas in this topic rather than the Bible.
There is always an official executioner. If you try to take his place, It is like trying to be a master carpenter and cutting wood. If you try to cut wood like a master carpenter, you will only hurt your hand.

https://soundcloud.com/doodoot/paticcasamuppada
https://soundcloud.com/doodoot/anapanasati
Post Reply