Dear PG,

Vism = Visuddhi Magga (translated as "The Path of Purity" etc).
It is Buddhaghosa's magnus opus, a summary of the Buddhist path as
endorsed by the Mahavihara monastery in Sri Lanka in his time.

Perhaps others might follow with more details.

Best wishes,

Piya

On Nov 23, 2007 1:44 AM, P G Dave <pgd2507@...> wrote:

> sorry to barge in.
>
> I haven't heard of the "Vism" (forgive my ignorance). Is it a Pali word or
> an english word?
> what is the authorship? is it some sort of a summary of the tipitaka?
> I google searched "Vism" noting helpful came up.
>
> thanks in advance for a reply.
> metta.
> _______________________________
>
> On 11/22/07, Noah Yuttadhammo <yuttadhammo@...<yuttadhammo%40sirimangalo.org>>
> wrote:
> >
> > At 22 Nov 2007 16:12:17 +0800 Piya Tan wrote:
> > > Ven Yuttadhammo,
> > >
> > > I often consult the Vism, but I would first check to see if the Suttas
> > have
> > > the word or
> > > concept first. They are like a book (Suttas) and a pair of spectacles
> > > (Vism).
> > >
> > > Even if I do not have my spectacles, I can still beneift from the
> book,
> > but
> > > the spectacles
> > > would not be so useful without the book :)
> >
> > Not to be argumentative, but I don't agree with the anology... that is
> > saying that the Vism. has no value if taken on its own, which of course
> is
> > to also deny the value of the canonical material it contains.
> >
> > Maybe the Vism. is like condensed chicken soup, and the tipitaka is like
> > adding water and spices. Of course, the latter is to be preferred, but
> the
> > former will do in a pinch, and is much quicker.
> >
> > Or the Tipitaka is like a vast road map, and the Vism specific
> directions.
> > The former is okay if you have time to study it thoroughly and pick the
> > right roads, but the latter will do for someone with little time and a
> > destination to reach.
> >
> > Anyway, take your pick, I've given both.
> >
> > > Best wishes in your coming exams.
> >
> > Thank you - an ordination the day before will make things interesting!
> >
> > Best wishes,
> >
> > Yuttadhammo
> >
> >
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>



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