Watch this talk

Login or create a free account to watch this talk and discover other teachings from Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh.

The title, description and transcript may contain inaccuracies.

The Great Sutra Treasury - Southern Transmission 15

Thich Nhat Hanh · January 7, 1990 · Plum Village, France
Feedback

Sutras 147–152 (Rāhulovāda, Chachakka, Mahāsaḷāyatanika, Nagaravindeyya, Piṇḍapātapārisuddhi, Indriyabhāvanā) focus on contemplation of the six internal sense bases, six external sense bases, the six consciousnesses, and recognizing the impermanent and non-self nature of the eighteen elements; the seven factors of awakening and the Noble Eightfold Path; purity in alms-round; distinguishing a true renunciant; and the result of Rāhula attaining arahantship after the teaching.

Next, an introduction to the Saṃyutta Nikāya (Connected Discourses) which consists of 56 saṃyuttas divided into five sections, of which Section I, the Sagāthā Vagga (Verses Section), has 11 saṃyuttas:

  1. Devas (devatā)
  2. Sons of Devas (devaputta)
  3. Kosala
  4. Māra
  5. Bhikkhunīs
  6. Brahmā
  7. Brāhmaṇas
  8. Elder Vaṅgīsa
  9. Forest
  10. Yakkha
  11. Sakka

From the Sagāthā Vagga, five representative sutras are discussed to illustrate the art of mindful and awakened living:

  • Oghataraṇa Sutta: crossing the flood without hesitation, without haste.
  • Sugarcane Forest (S 1.5): the mendicant who eats one meal a day remains fresh because the mind dwells peacefully in the present moment.
  • Samiddhi (S 1.8): youth running after the past or the future, learning to live deeply in the present moment.
  • Rohitasara Sutta (S 1.23): one cannot “travel by light” to seek the unborn and undying outside; the path and the unborn nature are found right within this fathom-long body.
  • The image of “the four things not to be underestimated”: a young prince, a snake, a spark of fire, and a young bhikkhu—all contain important potential.
read more