Monday, May 27, 2019

oral tradition process: SN 35.113 Buddha composing a piece of Dhamma for monks to memorize

This sutta is fascinating because it shows the Buddha in the process of composing and speaking out loud Dhamma that is:
* meant to be recited regularly
* meant for monks, while reciting,  to use samadhi,  V&V (thinking and evaluation), and S&S (sati and lucid-discerning). This not only ensures accuracy and fidelity of memory, but to also contemplate the meaning of the Dhamma and deepen insight. The oral tradition works. Try reciting this sutta out loud and think about it while reciting it every day.
* composed carefully to be easy to memorize, with simple repetitive structure so it's easy to detect if one makes an error recalling

113. Upassutisutta
113. Listening In
Ekaṃ samayaṃ bhagavā nātike viharati giñjakāvasathe.
At one time the Buddha was staying at Nādika in the brick house.
Atha kho bhagavā rahogato paṭisallīno imaṃ dhammapariyāyaṃ abhāsi:
Then while the Buddha was in private retreat he spoke this exposition of the teaching:
“cakkhuñca paṭicca rūpe ca uppajjati cakkhuviññāṇaṃ. Tiṇṇaṃ saṅgati phasso.
“Eye consciousness arises dependent on the eye and sights. The meeting of the three is contact.
Phassapaccayā vedanā;
Contact is a condition for feeling.
vedanāpaccayā taṇhā;
Feeling is a condition for craving.
taṇhāpaccayā upādānaṃ;
Craving is a condition for grasping.
upādānapaccayā bhavo;
Grasping is a condition for continued existence.
bhavapaccayā jāti;
Continued existence is a condition for rebirth.
jātipaccayā jarāmaraṇaṃ sokaparidevadukkhadomanassupāyāsā sambhavanti.
Rebirth is a condition that gives rise to old age and death, sorrow, lamentation, pain, sadness, and distress.
Evametassa kevalassa dukkhakkhandhassa samudayo hoti.
That is how this entire mass of suffering originates.
Jivhañca paṭicca rase ca uppajjati … pe …
Ear … nose … tongue … body …
manañca paṭicca dhamme ca uppajjati manoviññāṇaṃ. Tiṇṇaṃ saṅgati phasso.
Mind consciousness arises dependent on the mind and thoughts. The meeting of the three is contact.
Phassapaccayā vedanā;
Contact is a condition for feeling.
vedanāpaccayā taṇhā;
Feeling is a condition for craving.
taṇhāpaccayā upādānaṃ;
Craving is a condition for grasping.
upādānapaccayā bhavo;
Grasping is a condition for continued existence.
bhavapaccayā jāti;
Continued existence is a condition for rebirth.
jātipaccayā jarāmaraṇaṃ sokaparidevadukkhadomanassupāyāsā sambhavanti.
Rebirth is a condition that gives rise to old age and death, sorrow, lamentation, pain, sadness, and distress.
Evametassa kevalassa dukkhakkhandhassa samudayo hoti.
That is how this entire mass of suffering originates.
Cakkhuñca paṭicca rūpe ca uppajjati cakkhuviññāṇaṃ. Tiṇṇaṃ saṅgati phasso.
Eye consciousness arises dependent on the eye and sights. The meeting of the three is contact.
Phassapaccayā vedanā;
Contact is a condition for feeling.
vedanāpaccayā taṇhā.
Feeling is a condition for craving.
Tassāyeva taṇhāya asesavirāganirodhā upādānanirodho;
When that craving fades away and ceases with nothing left over, grasping ceases.
upādānanirodhā bhavanirodho;
When grasping ceases, continued existence ceases.
bhavanirodhā jātinirodho;
When continued existence ceases, rebirth ceases.
jātinirodhā jarāmaraṇaṃ sokaparidevadukkhadomanassupāyāsā nirujjhanti.
When rebirth ceases, old age and death, sorrow, lamentation, pain, sadness, and distress cease.
Evametassa kevalassa dukkhakkhandhassa nirodho hoti … pe …
That is how this entire mass of suffering ceases.
jivhañca paṭicca rase ca uppajjati … pe …
Ear … nose … tongue … body …
manañca paṭicca dhamme ca uppajjati manoviññāṇaṃ. Tiṇṇaṃ saṅgati phasso.
Mind consciousness arises dependent on the mind and thoughts. The meeting of the three is contact.
Phassapaccayā vedanā;
Contact is a condition for feeling.
vedanāpaccayā taṇhā.
Feeling is a condition for craving.
Tassāyeva taṇhāya asesavirāganirodhā upādānanirodho;
When that craving fades away and ceases with nothing left over, grasping ceases.
upādānanirodhā … pe …
When grasping ceases …
evametassa kevalassa dukkhakkhandhassa nirodho hotī”ti.
That is how this entire mass of suffering ceases.”
Tena kho pana samayena aññataro bhikkhu bhagavato upassuti ṭhito hoti.
Now at that time a certain monk was standing listening in on the Buddha.
Addasā kho bhagavā taṃ bhikkhuṃ upassuti ṭhitaṃ.
The Buddha saw him
Disvāna taṃ bhikkhuṃ etadavoca:
and said:
“assosi no tvaṃ, bhikkhu, imaṃ dhammapariyāyan”ti?
“Monk, did you hear that exposition of the teaching?”
“Evaṃ, bhante”.
“Yes, sir.”
“Uggaṇhāhi tvaṃ, bhikkhu, imaṃ dhammapariyāyaṃ.
“Learn that exposition of the teaching,
Pariyāpuṇāhi tvaṃ, bhikkhu, imaṃ dhammapariyāyaṃ.
memorize it,
Dhārehi tvaṃ, bhikkhu, imaṃ dhammapariyāyaṃ.
and remember it.
Atthasañhitoyaṃ, bhikkhu, dhammapariyāyo ādibrahmacariyako”ti.
That exposition of the teaching is beneficial and relates to the fundamentals of the spiritual life.”

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