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Old News Archive
July-September 2002
© 2002

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- [9 September 2002] "Freedom from Fear", by Thanissaro Bhikkhu.
  - Since the beginning of time human beings have lived in fear: fear of change, of loss, of death. Unfortunately, as we see played out on the world stage today, people have learned a host of unskillful ways to deal with fear. The author writes: "The most unskillful response to fear is when, perceiving dangers to our own life or property, we believe that we can gain strength and security by destroying the lives and property of others." In this essay the author describes the Buddha's prescription for overcoming fear once and for all, by uprooting its very cause.
- [5 September 2002] About the five khandha:
  - Five Piles of Bricks: The Khandhas as Burden & Path, by Thanissaro Bhikkhu (2002; 17k/6pp.) When asked, "What am I?", Buddhist scholars and meditation teachers, alike, usually state that what we conventionally call a "person" is best understood in terms of the five khandha: form, feeling, perception, mental fabrications, and consciousness. This understanding of the khandhas, which first emerged several centuries after the Buddha's death in the commentarial literature, differs significantly from the role of the khandhas as presented in the Pali canon. In this essay the author shows that the Buddha used the teachings of the khandhas not to define what we are, but rather as a tool to help us put an end to our suffering.
  - The Five Aggregates: A Study Guide (Thanissaro Bhikkhu, ed.) This anthology of short readings from the suttas explains how the teachings on the five aggregates (pañcakkhandha) — form, feeling, perception, mental fabrications, and consciousness — function in the Buddhist path to liberation.
- [2 September 2002] From the Anguttara Nikaya:
  - Kusala Sutta (AN 2.19) — Skillful {II,ii,9; A i 57} [Thanissaro Bhikkhu, trans.]. Yes, it really is possible to abandon unskillful habits and to develop skillful ones.
  - Kataññu Sutta (AN 2.31-32) — Gratitude {II,iv,1-2; A i 61} [Thanissaro Bhikkhu, trans.]. We owe a great debt to our parents. The gratitude we show to them is a measure of our personal integrity.
  - Kalaka Sutta (AN 4.24) — At Kalaka's Park {A ii 23} [Thanissaro Bhikkhu, trans.]. The Buddha explains that even though he has vast and profound understanding, he doesn't take a stance on any of it.
  - Kotthita Sutta (AN 4.174) — To Kotthita {A ii 161} [Thanissaro Bhikkhu, trans.]. How the Buddha answers the question, "What lies beyond Nibbana?".
  - Araññika Sutta (AN 4.259) — A Wilderness Dweller {A ii 250} [Thanissaro Bhikkhu, trans.]. What sort of person is fit to live in the wilderness?
- [14 August 2002] From the Udana:
  - Kassapa Sutta (Ud 3.7) — Kassapa {Ud 29} [Thanissaro Bhikkhu, trans.]. The king of the devas travels in disguise in order to make merit from giving almsfood to Ven. Maha Kassapa.
  - Pinda Sutta (Ud 3.8) — Alms {Ud 30} [Thanissaro Bhikkhu, trans.]. A monk should go on almsround for the right reasons.
  - Appayuka Sutta (Ud 5.2) — Short-lived {Ud 47} [Thanissaro Bhikkhu, trans.]. Life is short; practice ardently!
- [12 August 2002] From the Theragatha and the Therigatha:
  - Kutiviharin (2) (Thag 1.57) [Thanissaro Bhikkhu, trans.]. Why hope for a new hut (i.e., rebirth)?
  - Vappa (Thag 1.61) [Thanissaro Bhikkhu, trans.]. How far can you see?
  - Manava (Thag 1.73) [Thanissaro Bhikkhu, trans.]. Three sights prompted this monk to leave home.
  - Tekicchakani (Thag 6.2) [Thanissaro Bhikkhu, trans.]. How a monk with no food in his bowl can still find comfort and joy.
  - Sirimanda (Thag 6.13) [Thanissaro Bhikkhu, trans.]. Your last day approaches. This is no time to be heedless!
  - Subha, the Goldsmith's Daughter (Thig 13.5) [Thanissaro Bhikkhu, trans.]. Subha resists her family's efforts to lure her back the world of sensuality and riches, and soon discovers a treasure worth more than any amount of gold or silver.
- [12 July 2002] From the Anguttara Nikaya:
  - Uttiya Sutta (AN 10.95) — To Uttiya {A v 193} [Thanissaro Bhikkhu, trans.]. Is the goal of the Buddha's teachings to liberate all beings?
- [6 July 2002] Two suttas
  - Nandakovada Sutta (MN 146) — Nandaka's Exhortation {M iii 270} [Thanissaro Bhikkhu, trans.]. Ven. Nandaka discusses impermanence with a large group of nuns, driving his point home with particularly vivid similes. It must have been an effective teaching: soon afterwards, these nuns all become enlightened.
  - Aggikkhandopama Sutta (AN 7.68) — The Mass of Fire Comparison {A iv 128} [Yahoo! Pali Group, trans.]. The Buddha warns a group of monks about the danger of abusing the generosity and good faith of their lay supporters.