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Sutta Studies: A Step-by-step Guide (Part 1)

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  1.1 INTRODUCTION This is a guideline prepared for Dhamma teachers / sharers who wish to acquire some form of skill in deciphering meanings and quotes from Buddhist suttas, especially of those from the Pali Tipitaka. The aim of the guidelines is to aid those who wish to make their Dhamma propagation work more effective. It cannot be denied that quality "dhammaduta" (Dhamma propagation) has to be associated with a wide and deep knowledge base, and the ability to use such knowledge appropriately. To know the extent of one’s knowledge, and when to use it (or not to use it at all) is the mark of a wise person. Nevertheless, for a Dhamma propagator to be truly effective, he or she has to have some depth in Buddhist knowledge. When we say "Buddhist knowledge" it does not necessarily connote spiritual wisdom. While Buddhist knowledge is acquired (through Dhamma discussions, sutta studies etc), spiritual wisdom is attained through effort in cultivating calm and i
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Sutta Studies: A Step-by-step Guide (Part 2)

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  2.1 Looking for and Using Appropriate Study Tools In the past, the study, analysis and criticism of the Pali Tipitaka was usually carried out by bhikkus who devoted their life in memorising and studying the Buddha’s word. Life long dedication, coupled with the familiarity and devotional practices in learning the suttas means that undertaking the voluminous study of the Tipitaka was not impossible. However, for lay persons wishing to undertake similar studies or scholarship find that time taken to decipher the voluminous compilation is a great limitation. As such, recent efforts by various parties to create research tools have greatly assisted in some way to index the body of knowledge contained in the Tipitaka. This has markedly enabled accessibility for lay researchers to what is otherwise a time consuming endeavor to locate a specific saying to be applied to a particular situation. Moreover, web based resources such as Access to Insight ( https://accesstoinsight.org/ ) and
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