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Old News Archive
December 1997
© 1997

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- [31 Dec 97] Dhammapada: A Translation by Thanissaro Bhikkhu
- [28 Dec 97] A few last treats for 1997:
  - Abhaya Sutta (AN 4.184) — Fearless. The Buddha explains to Janussonin four ways to overcome the fear of death.
  - Loka Sutta (SN 35.82) — The World. The Buddha explains how all things in the world share one inevitable and unfortunate characteristic. Do you want to remain bound to a world like this?
  - Kakacupama Sutta (MN 21) — The Simile of the Saw (excerpt). The Buddha tells the story of a wise slave who deliberately tests her mistress's patience, thereby exposing the mistress's lack of forbearance. The Buddha then invokes several memorable similes to illustrate how we should develop patience.
- [24 Dec 97] A few more gems from the Anguttara Nikaya:
  - Pañña Sutta (AN 8.2) — Discernment. The Buddha outlines the skills that one must develop in order for wisdom to unfold.
  - Jivaka Sutta (AN 8.26) — To Jivaka (On Being a Lay Follower). The Buddha explains how a lay follower can best work for the welfare of others.
  - Abhisanda Sutta (AN 8.39) — Rewards. The Buddha tells of eight rewards that can be expected from skillful conduct.
  - Vipaka Sutta (AN 8.40) — Results. The Buddha describes the unpleasant consequences of not sticking to the precepts.
- [22 Dec 97] New translation of the Dhammapada!
  - Dhammapada: A Translation by Thanissaro Bhikkhu is now available in Microsoft Word 6.0 (Mac/Win) format . I expect to have the HTML (hypertext) edition online by year's end. The printed edition should be available from Dhamma Dana Publications (free of charge) by February, 1998.
- [20 Dec 97] Four short essays by Thanissaro Bhikkhu:
  - Affirming the Truths of the Heart: The Buddhist Teachings on Samvega & Pasada Popular interpretations of Buddhism today often ignore the importance of two powerful emotions, emotions that propelled the Buddha — and all those who have sought Awakening since — towards the goal of Awakening: samvega, a sense of urgency to escape the round of meaningless existence; and pasada, a clarity and serene confidence that allows one to proceed confidently towards the goal without lapsing into despair. In this short essay the author explores the meaning of these essential emotions and how we can encourage them to blossom in our lives.
  - Emptiness In this short essay the author explains the role of emptiness in the practice of meditation.
  - The Healing Power of the Precepts Many people today have come to the Buddha's teachings in search of emotional and spiritual healing. In this short essay the author reminds us that the single most effective tool for healing a wounded heart may be found in the cultivation of sila, or virtuous conduct.
  - Karma This short introductory essay explains the nature of karma (Pali: kamma), or willful action. The process of karma is a complex interplay between the fruits of our past actions (over which we have no control in the present) and the choices we make in the present moment; it is not a bland justification for the misfortune of others ("Oh, it's just their karma!").
- [19 Dec 97] Suttas added and indexed:
  - Kayagata-sati Sutta (MN 119) — Mindfulness Immersed in the Body. This sutta serves as a companion to the Anapanasati Sutta (Mindfulness of Breathing), and explains the importance of establishing a broad awareness of the body in meditation to develop jhana. The Buddha uses some lovely similes here!
  - Anuruddha Sutta (AN 8.30) — To Anuruddha. The Buddha tells of eight good qualities in the heart that, if actively cultivated, help lead us towards the goal.
- [17 Dec 97] 1998 Uposatha calendar is here!
- [2 Dec 97] Yet another index for you...
  - An Index by Number, in which suttas are listed according to the number of items discussed (2 Gifts, 3 Feelings, 4 Noble truths, 5 Faculties,...).