SB31-A Journey through Shakyamuni Buddha’s Early Suttas (Nikayas or Agamas)-1
This course offer a journey through some of the Pali suttas, the earliest known recorded discourses of Shakyamuni Buddha. These talks give us a foundational understanding for all further development. They are like the structural framework of a house. If the structure is sound, no matter how tall or wide the building, it will be secure. But, if one builds a beautiful building on a shaky foundation, when the winds come, the building will collapse.
This helps us understand seemingly contradictory teachings as we progress on the path. They are not contradictory as it may seem. Rather, as we progress, complexities in matters are revealed and corresponding remedies are expounded. So, the teachings expand from relative to ultimate views as we are able to comprehend them. In this way, one teaching does not negate another any more than aerodynamics negates gravity. They simply operate within their own spheres of influence.
Bhikshunni Pannavati has selected nine suttas from the Majjhima Nikaya — the Middle Length Discourses. They are not too short, not too long! Enjoy listening to the stories and teachings first, then go back and read the discourse. Listen and read together the third time. Notice how our understanding of life and its challenges deepens each time; and how we will quickly see the dangers of samsaric existence. This opens the doorway to true renunciation and allows the joy of cultivation to become our activity of delight! The format for this course is repeated for an additional twenty-seven suttas in SB32, SB33, and SB34.
The Nikayas are Theravada texts from the The Pali Canon of the Digha Nikaya, the Majjhima Nikaya, the Makkhima Nikaya, the Samyutta Nikaya, the Anguttara Nikaya, and the Khuddaka Nikaya—The Khuddaka Nikaya also includes the Dhammapada, a popular collection of sayings of the Buddha in verse form that is included as an elective course as G47. This body of teachings represent what is sometimes called the “First Turning of the Wheel.” These early teachings were translated from Sanskrit into the Chinese Tripitaka as the Agamas.
H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III told us in Learning from Buddha that “If you are a master with disciples, you must at least study in depth some sutras (suttas) and commentaries as a foundation, such as . . . the Agamas . . . , and others. Doing so will reduce the possibility of leading others astray in the process of teaching.”
Students taking this course for credit will be given cultivation assignments on how to reflect and actions that need to be taken after reading and contemplating each of the nine suttas.
Click on the “Curriculum” tab and you will find that this course is under development. If you have not registered for a membership and wish to join for other courses, please click on “Membership” on the top menu bar to select your membership and enroll in those courses. You are also required to complete the application form provided in course “G02-Spiritual Autobiography”” prior to being admitted to either the BUDDHIST STUDIES or the XIUXING SEMINARY PROGRAMS. Click for detailed Users Guides under the “STUDENT MANUAL” in the website’s top menu bar for more information.
Other English translations of these suttas may be available, but we will use Bhikkhu Nanamoli’s and Bhikkhu Bodhi’s translation of The Middle Length Discourses of the Buddha: A Translation of the Majjhima Nikāya (The Teachings of the Buddha) for this course.
Chanting
Majjhima Nikaya Sutta Readings-I
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SB31(A) LESSON ONE: MN 62 – Maha-Rahulovada Sutta – The Greater Exhortation to Rahula -
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MN 62 – Reflection QuestionsFollow along with the readings of these suttas, reflect on the questions posed below and self-correct! The purpose is not to “know” the suttas, but to know yourself and to allow the teachings to correct your own mental attitude. By being true to one’s self, you develop “overcoming” discipline and realize the contentment that is found in the right conduct (actions) of your own heart. Our measure is not whether others think we are good, but whether we actually are good!
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SB31(A) LESSON TWO: MN 128 – Upakkilesa Sutta – Obscurations
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MN 128 - Reflection Questions
Follow along with the readings of these suttas, reflect on the questions posed below and self-correct! The purpose is not to “know” the suttas, but to know yourself and to allow the teachings to correct your own mental attitude. By being true to one’s self, you develop “overcoming” discipline and realize the contentment that is found in the right conduct (actions) of your own heart. Our measure is not whether others think we are good, but whether we actually are good!
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SB31(A) LESSON THREE: MN 66 – Latukikopama Sutta – The Simile of the Quail
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MN 66 – Reflection Questions
Follow along with the readings of these suttas, reflect on the questions posed below and self-correct! The purpose is not to “know” the suttas, but to know yourself and to allow the teachings to correct your own mental attitude. By being true to one’s self, you develop “overcoming” discipline and realize the contentment that is found in the right conduct (actions) of your own heart. Our measure is not whether others think we are good, but whether we actually are good!
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SB31(A) LESSON FOUR: MN 2 – Sabbasava Sutta – All the Taints
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MN 2 – Reflection Questions
Follow along with the readings of these suttas, reflect on the questions posed below and self-correct! The purpose is not to “know” the suttas, but to know yourself and to allow the teachings to correct your own mental attitude. By being true to one’s self, you develop “overcoming” discipline and realize the contentment that is found in the right conduct (actions) of your own heart. Our measure is not whether others think we are good, but whether we actually are good!
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SB31(A) LESSON FIVE: MN 1 – Mulapariyaya Sutta – The Root of All Things
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MN 1 – Reflection Questions
Follow along with the readings of these suttas, reflect on the questions posed below and self-correct! The purpose is not to “know” the suttas, but to know yourself and to allow the teachings to correct your own mental attitude. By being true to one’s self, you develop “overcoming” discipline and realize the contentment that is found in the right conduct (actions) of your own heart. Our measure is not whether others think we are good, but whether we actually are good!
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SB31(A) LESSON SIX: MN 19 – Dvedhavitakka Sutta – Two Kinds of Thought
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MN 19 – Reflection Questions
Follow along with the readings of these suttas, reflect on the questions posed below and self-correct! The purpose is not to “know” the suttas, but to know yourself and to allow the teachings to correct your own mental attitude. By being true to one’s self, you develop “overcoming” discipline and realize the contentment that is found in the right conduct (actions) of your own heart. Our measure is not whether others think we are good, but whether we actually are good!
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SB31(A) LESSON SEVEN: MN 20 – Alagaddupama Sutta – The Simile of the Snake
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MN 20 – Reflection Questions
Follow along with the readings of these suttas, reflect on the questions posed below and self-correct! The purpose is not to “know” the suttas, but to know yourself and to allow the teachings to correct your own mental attitude. By being true to one’s self, you develop “overcoming” discipline and realize the contentment that is found in the right conduct (actions) of your own heart. Our measure is not whether others think we are good, but whether we actually are good!
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SB31(A) LESSON EIGHT: MN 114 – Sevitabbasevitabba Sutta – What Should and Should Not Be Cultivated
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MN 114 – Reflection Questions
Follow along with the readings of these suttas, reflect on the questions posed below and self-correct! The purpose is not to “know” the suttas, but to know yourself and to allow the teachings to correct your own mental attitude. By being true to one’s self, you develop “overcoming” discipline and realize the contentment that is found in the right conduct (actions) of your own heart. Our measure is not whether others think we are good, but whether we actually are good!
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SB31(A) LESSON NINE: MN 87 – Piyajatika Sutta – Born From the Beloved
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MN 87 – Reflection Questions