Hi Yong Peng,
I looked through [D.N. 1] today, it mentions more variations of a
type of view with eternal self (see the first 4 of the 62 views
described). B.Bodhi has a book through BPS about 350 pages that is just
the sutta [D. 1] with commentaries. Someone fluent in pali can just use
CST4 or DPR to read the sutta and all the commentaries as an alternative
to the book. It's been many years since I looked at B.Bodhi's book, if I
have time and do peruse it, I'll post to the list if it has more
detailed answers than just dependent origination. Probably the
commentaries will give more detailed answers on dependent
origination/kamma/rebirth along the lines of Vism. and abidhamma.
As far as I know [M. 38] is the only sutta I can think of that comes
closest to the heart of your original question, a discourse that focuses
on the distinction of rebirth versus some type of immutable core
/essence/consciousness that carries on from birth to birth.
Beyond those 2 suttas, bits of details on how dependent origination
ties into kamma and rebirth are scattered throughout the canon, often
not stated explicitly, and we have to connect the dots ourselves. For
example, 6 abhinna are frequently referenced, perhaps more frequently in
the canon just the 3 higher knowledges: knowledge of the destruction of
the taints, knowledge of past lives, knowledge of seeing other beings
being reborn (in accordance with their kamma). One gets the impression
from the canon that most of the arahants all have at least the 3 higher
knowledges, if not all 6. The unstated inferrence that I made is that we
who aspire for arahantship also better develop our mindfulness,
concentration to the point where we can directly witness dependent
origination, kamma, rebirth with our own wisdom eye. Thus we move beyond
views, mere beliefs, and know through direct understanding. Otherwise,
from the point of view of our own practice, are we really in a position
to say authoritatively whether the Hindus are right or the Buddha was
right?
The lack of explicit and consolidated sutta text addressing your
question in detail is perhaps what allows someone like Stephen Batchelor
to advance his pernicious views, see the best seller, "Buddhism without
Beliefs" which claims the Buddha did not teach rebirth.
I think DC's answers are often pretty complete, but terse. I
interpreted his answer as pretty applicable to all of us, not just
beginners.
-Frank

On 2/21/2010 4:33 AM, Ong Yong Peng wrote:
>
> Dear DC and friends,
>
> I'm not referring to *someone* who ain't know nuttin' about Buddhism.
> Rather I am referring to a person who already have some basic
> understanding of the Buddha's teachings, he would have known the
> distinctions between rebirth and reincarnation, but want to have a
> fuller and deeper appreciation of the Buddhist doctrine of rebirth.
> Perhaps, there are already some good books and articles out there
> which cover the topic in details.
>
> metta,
> Yong Peng.
>
> --- In Pali@yahoogroups.com <mailto:Pali%40yahoogroups.com>, DC
> Wijeratna wrote:
>
> A systematic study into the teaching of 'araha.m sammaasambuddho' must
> commence with the the Four Noble Truths, and if one wishes to go
> deeper into 'pa.ticcasamuppaado idappaccayataa.' This is the dhamma
> that he became (adhigama) on attaining 'sammaasambodhi.'
>
>



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