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Old News Archive
November 1997
© 1997

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- [17 Nov 97] Two new translations from the Majjhima Nikaya, added and indexed:
  - Abhaya Sutta (MN 58) — To Prince Abhaya (On Right Speech). The Buddha explains the criteria for determining whether or not something is worth saying. This discourse is a beautiful example of the Buddha's skill as teacher: not only does he speak about right speech, but he also shows right speech in action.
  - Ratthapala Sutta (MN 82) — About Ratthapala (excerpt). In this excerpt, Ratthapala recalls four observations about the world that prompted him, as a healthy and wealthy young man, to leave the household life and become a monk.

  Two remarkable stories from the Mahavagga (of the Vinaya Pitaka):

  - Kucchivikara-vatthu (Mv 8.26.1-8) — The Monk with Dysentery. In this touching story the Buddha comes across a desperately ill monk who had been utterly neglected by his companions. The Buddha leaps to his aid, and offers a teaching on those qualities that make patients easy (or difficult) to tend to and those that make caregivers fit (or unfit) to tend to their patients.
  - Dighavu-kumara Vatthu (Mv 10.2.3-20) — The Story of Prince Dighavu. This is surely one of the most dramatic stories in the Pali canon — a tale of murder, intrigue, and revenge — which teaches the wisest way to "settle an old score."
- [14 Nov 97] Happy Anapanasati Day! An assortment of new sutta translations:
  - Samadhi Sutta (AN 4.41) — Concentration. The Buddha explains how concentration, when fully developed, can bring about any one of four different desirable results.
  - Sutta Nipata, Chapter V. In these sixteen short suttas, newly translated by Ven. Thanissaro, various brahman ascetics present the Buddha with their most pressing Dhamma questions. In these lovely verses the Buddha distills some of his most profound teachings into simple and eloquent language.
- [11 Nov 97] Suttas from the Anguttara Nikaya, added and indexed:
  - Sacitta Sutta (AN 10.51) — One's Own Mind. The Buddha offers instructions on how to read your own mind.
  - Girimananda Sutta (AN 10.60) — To Girimananda. The Buddha instructs Ven. Girimananda, who is ill, on the ten themes of meditation that can heal both mind and body.
  - Kathavatthu Sutta (AN 10.69) — Topics of Conversation. The Buddha presents ten wholesome topics of conversation as an alternative to gossip.
  - Aghata Sutta (AN 10.80) — Hatred. When hatred arises in the mind what do you do? Here are ten reflections to consider as an antidote.
  - Bahuna Sutta (AN 10.81) — To Bahuna. What does it really mean when we say that an Awakened being is "free"?
  - Kokanuda Sutta (AN 10.96) — To Kokanuda (On Viewpoints). Ven. Ananda explains that wisdom is not based on subscribing to this or that point of view.
  - Virecana Sutta (AN 10.108) — A Purgative. Sometimes even the best medicines for the body fail to work. Here, the Buddha offers a "noble purgative" for the mind that works every time.
  - Cunda Kammaraputta Sutta (AN 10.176) — To Cunda the Silversmith. The Buddha explains to Cunda that genuine self-purification comes about not from performing sacred rites, but by cultivating skillfulness in one's thoughts, words, and deeds.
- [10 Nov 97] Suttas from the Anguttara Nikaya, added and indexed:
  Progressing step-by-step, from virtue to Awakening...
  - Kimattha Sutta (AN 11.1) — What is the Purpose?. Why does the Buddha always implore us to cultivate sila (virtue)? Because all other skillful mental qualities, leading right up to Awakening, depend upon it.
  - Cetana Sutta (AN 11.2) — An Act of Will. Good qualities in the heart naturally lead to the development of other good qualities. It all starts with sila (virtue).
  The role of jhana in developing discernment
  - Kayasakkhi Sutta (AN 9.43) — Bodily Witness. Paññavimutti Sutta (AN 9.44) — Released Through Discernment.
    Ubhatobhaga Sutta (AN 9.45) — (Released) Both Ways.
    In this group of short suttas, Ven. Ananda answers Ven. Udayin's lingering questions about the meaning of several key terms that the Buddha uses in other suttas: What is a 'bodily witness'? What does 'discernment-release' mean? What is 'released both ways'? Ven. Ananda shows here that the development of jhana plays an integral part in the development of wisdom.
- [8 Nov 97] Suttas from the Anguttara Nikaya (Nines), added and indexed:
  - Nibbana Sutta (AN 9.34) — Unbinding. Ven. Sariputta explains to Ven. Udayin how even the most exquisitely refined and beautiful mental states are beset with dukkha; only Nibbana itself can truly be called "pleasant".
  - Gavi Sutta (AN 9.35) — The Cow. The Buddha explains that if you try to move on to the next level of concentration before you've mastered the last, you're sure to stumble, like a foolish cow on a steep hill.
  - Jhana Sutta (AN 9.36) — Mental Absorption. Meditation, like archery, is a skill that develops over time, through practice, practice, practice...
  - Tapussa Sutta (AN 9.41) — To Tapussa (On Renunciation). The Buddha tells how the long road of meditation practice that culminates in Awakening begins with recognizing the value of renunciation.
- [7 Nov 97] Just a small handful of suttas this time...:
  - Dantika & the Elephant (Thig 3.4). A lovely verse uttered by Ven. Sister Dantika. Sometimes all it takes for a breakthrough in meditation is the sight of an elephant!
  - Sambodhi Sutta (AN 9.1) — Self-awakening. The Buddha explains how having admirable people as friends is an essential prerequisite in the path to Awakening.
  - Sutava Sutta (AN 9.7) — To Sutavan. Nine unskillful acts an Awakened one is incapable of doing.