---
Dear Suan,
Thanks for a typically clear post, naturally I highly value it.
These are times when the sasana is declining and one of the signs is
that the Tipitaka will be disparaged as merely the compilation and
imagination of later monks. Nothing can stop this, but it is helpful
when someone reads your patient explanations.
Robert kirkpatrick

In Pali@yahoogroups.com, "abhidhammika" <suanluzaw@...> wrote:

>
>
> Dear Dimitry, Nina, Jim, Robert Kirpatrick and all
>
>
>?"
>
> Abhidhamma Pi.taka is within Khuddaka Nikaaya. Nikaaya Pali texts
> embody the words of the Buddha and his disciples who are Arahants.
>
> What the Arahants teach are the same as those taught by the Buddha
> in the sense that they are either the exact words or restatements

of

> the words of the Buddha.
>
> This uniformity in words and meanings between the teachings of the
> Buddha and his Arahant disciples is made possible by the Noble
> Eightfold Path being followed and practiced by them to perfection.
>
> Now, if you are questioning if Pali is the original language used

by

> the Buddha and his Arahant disciples, my answer is yes. How do I
> know this? I know this because it is stated by the ancient

Buddhist

> masters in Pali texts. I believe them because I do not see any
> reason why they would tell lies. Telling lies is against the

Vinaya

> rules, and Theravada ascetics follow the Pali Vinaya rules.
>
> I hope that I have answered your question.
>
> Suan Lu Zaw
> __________________________ End Quote.
>
>
> I do not take very seriously the hermeneutic interpretations of

the

> speculative scholars and ideologists mainly because they have no
> relevance to my scientific undertakings in real life situations.
>
> However, I do respect your own view on the matter if it suits your
> circumstances and your Buddhist practice.
>
> For me, the traditional view of the Theravada ascetics is the

best,

> namely that the Buddha taught Abhidhamma Pi.taka to sensuous gods
> (Devas)and Jhaana gods (Brahmaas) in Taavaitmsa Heaven, then

taught

> the brief method version to Saariputta who taught it to his

ascetic

> disciples, which has been recited at the First Congress Recital
> convened by the senior Arahants and become Abhidhamma Pi.taka as

we

> know it.
>
> Please read the following quote from Ganthaarambakathaa of
> A.t.thasaalinii, Commentary On Dhammasanganii:
>
> Maataram pamukham katvaa, tassaa paññaaya tejasaa;
> abhidhammakathaamaggam, devaanam sampavattayi.
> <skip>
> Yam devadevo devaanam, desetvaa nayato puna;
> therassa saariputtassa, samaacikkhi vinaayako.
> Anotattadahe katvaa, upa.t.thaanam mahesino;
> yañca sutvaana so thero, aaharitvaa mahiitalam.
> Bhikkhuunam payirudaahaasi, iti bhikkhuuhi dhaarito; ...
>
>
>