 Top rated - Theravada Texts |
allexistence.pdfThe 31 Planes of Existence3860 viewsThe suttas describe the 31 distinct planes or realms of existence into which beings can be reborn during their long wanderings through samsara. These range from the extraordinarily dark, grim, and painful hell realms all the way up to the most sublime, refined and exquisitely blissful heavenly realms. Existence in every realm is impermanent; in the cosmology taught by the Buddha there is no eternal heaven or hell. Beings are born into a particular realm according to both their past kamma.
 
(10 votes)
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tree-forest.pdfA Tree in the Forest1990 viewsPeople have asked me about my practice. How do I prepare my mind for meditation? There is nothing special. I just keep it where it always is. They ask. Then are you an Arahant? Do I know? I am like a tree in the forest, full of leaves, blossoms and fruit. Birds come to eat and nest, and animals seek rest in the shade. Yet the tree does not know itself. It follows its own nature. It is as it is. - Ajahn Chah.
(5 votes)
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Between_The_Lines_Vol__1.pdfBetween The Lines (Volume 1) An analytical appreciation of the Buddha's Life 2899 views"Some 2500 years ago in ancient Northeast India, a young, brilliant and courageous man discovered the sublime answer to how the mind works and how to realise unconditioned happiness and bliss. For the next 45 years, he devoted his life to teaching the doctrine that helped bring unparalleled happiness, peace and relief to numerous people long after his death. In time stories began to emerge proclaiming his greatness and his near-divinity status. Over generations and into distant lands, those stories took on a life of their own. Eventually the real man is buried under a mountain of beautiful fantasies and magical tales. Scholars in Buddhist studies have never lost sight of the historical Buddha. There is a beautiful story to tell about the real man but the materials never quite made it to the mass market because academic books are generally hard to read and appreciate.
(4 votes)
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wheel188.pdfIdeal Solitude - An Exposition of the Bhaddekaratta Sutta1311 viewsThe Bhaddekaratta Sutta of the Majjhima Nikaya (No. 131) consists of a “summary†in four verses and an “exposition†dealing with some doctrinal points of considerable psychological and ethical import.
(1 votes)
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wheel048.pdfThe Discourse on the Snake Simile (Alagaddúpama Sutta)1302 viewsThe discourse of the Buddha on the Snake Simile (Alagaddúpama Sutta) that is presented here, together with explanatory notes taken mostly from the commentarial literature, is the 22nd text in the “Collection of Discourses of Medium Length†(Majjhima Nikáya).
(1 votes)
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bps-essay_39.pdfLifestyles and Spiritual Progress1745 viewsNew comers to Buddhism often ask whether a person’s lifestyle has any special bearing on their ability to progress along the Buddha’s path, and in particular whether the Buddha had a compelling reason for establishing a monastic order governed by guidelines quite different from those that hold sway over the lay Buddhist community. If we suspend concern for questions of status and superiority and simply consider the two modes of life in their ideal expression, the conclusion would have to follow that the monastic life, lived in the way envisioned by the Buddha, is the one that conduces more effectively to the final goal.
(1 votes)
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upanisasutta.pdfTranscendental Dependent Arising - Translation & Exposition of the Upanisa Sutta1343 viewsTucked away in the Samyutta Nikaya among the “connected sayings on causality†(Nidanasamyutta) is a short formalized text entitled the Upanisa Sutta, the “Discourse on Supporting Conditions.†The Upanisa sutta reveals the entire course of man’s faring in the world as well as his treading of the path to its transcendence. This exposition sets out to explore the, “transcendental†application of dependent arising, drawing freely from other parts of the Canon and the commentaries to fill out the meaning.
(1 votes)
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wh208AnguttaraNikaya2.pdfPart 3. Anguttara Nikaya1509 viewsAn abridged translation of the five-volume Buddhist sutra, from the Pali canon. The original translation was by Nyanaponika Thera, and these 208 selected discourses have been revised and given an introduction by Bhikkhu Bodhi. Bhikkhu Bodhi provides a systematic introduction to the Buddha`s teaching in the Anguttara Nikaya. The translators also provide notes, a glossary, and another introduction placing the Anguttara in the context of the larger Theravada Buddhist Canon. This readable but precise translation will be welcomed by both students of Theravada Buddhism as well as anyone wishing to learn from the Buddha`s teachings.
(1 votes)
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wh238AnguttaraNikaya3.pdfPart 2. Anguttara Nikaya1523 viewsAn abridged translation of the five-volume Buddhist sutra, from the Pali canon. The original translation was by Nyanaponika Thera, and these 208 selected discourses have been revised and given an introduction by Bhikkhu Bodhi. Bhikkhu Bodhi provides a systematic introduction to the Buddha`s teaching in the Anguttara Nikaya. The translators also provide notes, a glossary, and another introduction placing the Anguttara in the context of the larger Theravada Buddhist Canon. This readable but precise translation will be welcomed by both students of Theravada Buddhism as well as anyone wishing to learn from the Buddha`s teachings.
(1 votes)
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wh155AnguttaraNikaya1.pdfPart 1. Anguttara Nikaya2284 viewsAn abridged translation of the five-volume Buddhist sutra, from the Pali canon. The original translation was by Nyanaponika Thera, and these 208 selected discourses have been revised and given an introduction by Bhikkhu Bodhi. Bhikkhu Bodhi provides a systematic introduction to the Buddha`s teaching in the Anguttara Nikaya. The translators also provide notes, a glossary, and another introduction placing the Anguttara in the context of the larger Theravada Buddhist Canon. This readable but precise translation will be welcomed by both students of Theravada Buddhism as well as anyone wishing to learn from the Buddha`s teachings.
(1 votes)
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