Numerical Discourses Of The Buddha : An Anthology Of Suttas From The Anguttara Nikaya

Book Summary

Drawn from the Anguttara Nikaya, Numerical Discourses of the Buddha brings together teachings of the Buddha ranging from basic ethical observances recommended to the busy man or woman of the world, to the more rigorous instructions on mental training prescribed for the monks and nuns. The Anguttara Nikaya is a part of the Pali Canon, the authorized recension of the Buddha?s Word for followers of Theravada Buddhism, the form of Buddhism prevailing in the Buddhist countries of South Asia. These discourses are called numerical because they retain the structure of the original Anguttara Nikaya. Sayings are organized not by topic, but by numbers mentioned in the texts. This orgnaizational scheme, common in ancient Indian literature, can give the reader a haphazard view of the Buddha?s teachings. To balance this 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 Nikaya in the cotext 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. Table of Contents ABRIDGED CONTENTS Preface The Pali Alphabet Introduction I Introduction II Table 1: The Thirty-one Planes of Existence in the Classical Theravada Tradition Table 2: Lifespans in the Sense-sphere Deva Realms NUMERICAL DISCOURSES OF THE BUDDHA I. THE CHAPTER OF THE ONES II. THE CHAPTER OF THE TWOS III. THE CHAPTER OF THE THREES IV. THE CHAPTER OF THE FOURS V. THE CHAPTER OF THE FIVES VI. THE CHAPTER OF THE SIXES VII. THE CHAPTER OF THE SEVENS VIII. THE CHAPTER OF THE EIGHTS IX. THE CHAPTER OF THE NINES X. THE CHAPTER OF THE TENS XI. THE CHAPTER OF THE ELEVENS Notes Key to Abbreviations Bibliography Pali-English Glossary Index

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