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• [22 June 1998] From the Majjhima and Digha Nikayas:
  • Lohicca Sutta (DN 12) — To Lohicca. A non-Buddhist poses some important questions: If Dhamma is something that one must realize for oneself, then what is the role of a teacher? Are there any teachers who don't deserve some sort of criticism? The Buddha's reply includes a sweeping summary of the entire path of practice.
  • Gopaka-Moggallana Sutta (MN 108) — Moggallana the Guardsman. Ven. Ananda explains how the Sangha maintains its unity and internal discipline after the passing away of the Buddha. Interestingly, this sutta also shows that early Buddhist practice had no room for many practices that developed in later Buddhist traditions, such as appointed lineage holders, elected ecclesiastical heads, or the use of mental defilements as a basis for concentration practice.

  From Ajaan Lee:

  • "Crossing the Ocean of Life" by Ajaan Lee Dhammadharo. A talk given the last day of the celebration of the new ordination hall at Wat Asokaram. This was the last talk that Ajaan Lee gave to his assembled students, supporters, and friends.
• [18 June 1998] Another sutta on the subject of vipassana (insight):
  • Samadhi Sutta (AN 4.94) — Concentration (Tranquillity and Insight). The Buddha explains how correct meditation practice consists of the development of both insight (vipassana) and tranquillity (samatha).

  Some more gems from the Therigatha ("Verses of the Elder Nuns")...

  • Ubbiri (Thig 3.5). A mother conquers her grief over her daughter's death.
  • Mittakali (Thig 5.6). No time for heedlessness!
  • Patacara's 500 Students (Thig 6.1). "As he came, so he has gone — so what is there to lament?" A mother conquers her grief over her son's death.

  ...and from the Theragatha ("Verses of the Elder Monks")...

  • Belatthasisa (Thag 1.16). A happiness not of the flesh.
  • Sirivaddha (Thag 1.41). Lightning can't shake one in jhana.
  • Vimila (Thag 1.50). Where neither rain nor wind can reach.
  • Nita (Thag 1.84). When will the fool awaken?
  • Eraka (Thag 1.93). Sensual pleasures are stressful.
  • Cakkhupala (Thag 1.95). Shun the evil companion!
  • Jenta (Thag 1.111). Ponder inconstancy, constantly.
  • Kimbila (Thag 1.118). Aging drops on us like a curse.
  • Gotama (Thag 3.14). After wandering relentlessly through hell, heaven, the animal world, finally: peace!
  • Rahula (Thag 4.8). The Buddha's son celebrates his own victory in the Dhamma.
  • Revata's Farewell (Thag 14.1). By steadfastly maintaining his right resolve, this monk finally gains perfect release.
  • Godatta (Thag 14.2). Criticism from the wise is better than praise from fools; the pain of meditation is better than pleasure from the senses.

  ...and finally:

  • I've added some short blurbs for each of the suttas in the Therigatha and Theragatha.
• [10 June 1998] Some suttas on the topic of vipassana (insight):
  • Akankha Sutta (AN 10.71) — Wishes. This discourse lists ten reasons, of ascending worth, for perfecting the precepts and being committed to the development of calm (samatha) and insight (vipassana). An interesting feature of this discussion is that the Buddha does not separate insight and jhana into separate paths of practice, and actually cites insight, together with tranquillity, as a prerequisite for mastering the four jhanas. [TB]
  • Kimsuka Sutta (SN 35.204) — The Riddle Tree. The Buddha explains how tranquillity (samatha) and insight (vipassana) function together as a "swift pair of messengers" to guide the meditator onwards to Nibbana.
  • Vijja-bhagiya Sutta (AN 2.30) — A Share in Clear Knowing. How tranquillity (samatha) and insight (vipassana) are both needed to abandon passion and ignorance.
  • Vimutti Sutta (AN 2.30) — Release. On the nature of release (vimutti) from ignorance and passion. (This sutta was merged with the preceding — jtb 020511)
  • Silavant Sutta (SN 22.122) — Virtuous. Ven. Sariputta explains how every meditator — beginner and arahant, alike — should contemplate the five aggregates (khandha).
  • Vina Sutta (SN 35.205) — The Lute. The heart of insight (vipassana): When you take apart a lute in search of its music, what do you find? When you take apart the five aggregates in search of "self," what do you find?

  And one other sutta:

  • Yavakalapi Sutta (SN 35.207) — The Sheaf of Barley. This sutta, if perhaps a bit disjointed, offers some fine similes to illustrate the mind's tendency to create suffering for itself.