Re: Commentaries {Re: Re-reading the Pali Canon {Re: [Pali] Re: Bh

> Heck, there are even some suttas that I can't honestly trust.
> I know that one of them is rather obviously edited:
> Dakkhinavibhanga Sutta (MN142). The Mahavihara Commentaries
> on the other hand introduce ideas unsupported and seemingly
> contradicted by the suttas, such as the idea that rebirth is
> necessarily immediate.

Venerable Sir,

What occurs in between if not another immediate bhava (rebirth)? Or are you
talking about rebirth in terms of "jaati"? Of course, then it is never
immediate, as it requires bhava first.

> This reminds me of the Buddha's advise to the Kalamas to not
> go by "a collection of scriptures" (although this seems to
> contradict the somewhat dogmatic Four Great Standards.) This
> is a bit hard for me to accept, having placed so much faith
> in the Pali scriptures in the past, but evidence has been
> revealed to me and I have unwillingly but eventually gladly
> awaken from that slumber.

It's funny, that sounds like the "God Buddha" followers I read about...
their teaching was also "revealed" to them (of course, by the Buddha
himself...) He told them, according to this book, that they should no
longer use the spelling "Buddha" to refer to Him, but they should now use
"Puttha" because, they say, He is Thai, and that's how the Thai people
pronounce it. :)

The Pali scriptures seem fine to me... just like an old car, you say it's
old and beat up, but I say it get's me where I need to go... Do you think
that by following the teaching in the Pali scriptures and commentaries that
I might fall off the path to enlightenment?

Respectfully,

Avuso Yuttadhammo (3 vassa)