2006-03-31 — Excerpt from the Milindapañha

The Blessed One's City of Dhamma: From the Milindapañha, based on the translation by I.B. Horner (Buddhist Publication Society Bodhi Leaves Publication No. 130; 1993; 40k/10pp.)

In this excerpt from the Milindapañha, Ven. Nagasena develops a magnificent series of similes to convince King Milinda that, even though the Buddha died long ago, his legacy lives on, unwavering.

2006-03-30 — Ratthapala Suttas

• MN 82: Ratthapala Sutta — About Ratthapala {M ii 54} [Thanissaro]. A two-part story about the monk who, the Buddha said, was foremost among his disciples in ordaining on the power of pure conviction. In the first part of the story, Ratthapala deals with his parents' opposition to his ordaining, and their attempts, after ordination, to lure him back to lay life. In the second part, he recalls the four observations about the world that inspired him, as a healthy and wealthy young man, to ordain in the first place.
• Thag 16.4: Ratthapala {vv. 769-793} [Thanissaro]. Ven. Ratthapala explains why he's not in the least bit tempted to return to the lay life.

2006-03-30 — An essay on compassion

Educating Compassion, by Thanissaro Bhikkhu (2006; 19k/5pp.)

How can we best serve a loved one who is sick or dying? In such situations simply acting with compassion and mindfulness is not enough; there are skills we must learn before we can truly be of compassionate service.

2006-03-23 — Search engine fixed

• The search engine is working again.

2006-03-22 — Search engine snafus

• Good news: Access to Insight has just moved to new (bigger, better, faster, cheaper, etc.) web host. Bad news: the search engine isn't working yet on the new server. But I'm working on it. I hope to have it fixed in the next day or two. Thanks for your patience!

2006-03-09 — On the life of women in early Buddhism

Women in Early Buddhist Literature: A Talk to the All-Ceylon Buddhist Women's Association (Colombo, 18 January 1961), by I.B. Horner (Buddhist Publication Society Wheel Publication No. 30; 1982; 48k/12pp.)

One of the 20^th century's great Pali scholars explores the social and spiritual lives of women in India during the time of the Buddha. Drawing on numerous passages from the suttas, she argues that, despite their traditional domestic roles, women enjoyed considerable freedom, respect, and honor within their community. Moreover, the presence of the bhikkhuni sangha (Buddhist order of nuns) afforded women who were so inclined an unprecedented opportunity to pursue their spiritual goals to completion.

2006-03-03 — From the Samyutta and Anguttara Nikayas

• SN 22.80: Pindolya Sutta — Almsgoers {S iii 91; CDB i 918} [Thanissaro]. A monk who is half-hearted in his meditation misses out on the rewards of both the lay life and the monastic life.
• SN 22.83: Ananda Sutta — Ananda {S iii 105; CDB i 928} [Thanissaro]. Ven. Ananda recalls the teachings that led him to stream-entry.
• SN 22.84: Tissa Sutta — Tissa {S iii 106; CDB i 929} [Thanissaro]. Ven. Tissa, mired in laziness, receives a wake-up call from the Buddha.
• AN 4.99: Sikkha Sutta — Trainings {A ii 98} [Thanissaro]. It is best of all if you not only follow the precepts yourself, but can support others in following them, too.

2006-03-03 — An essay on the monks' and nuns' alms-round

The Blessings of Pindapata, by Bhikkhu Khantipalo (Buddhist Publication Society Wheel Publication No. 73; 1964;54k/15pp.)

Pindapata is the ancient ascetic practice by which Theravadan monks and nuns walk from house to house, accepting whatever offerings of food are placed in their bowls by laypeople. This essay describes a typical alms-round in lively detail and explores how this humble gesture defines the relationship between monastics and the lay community.