Sutta Studies: A Step-by-step Guide (Part 2)
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 Sutta Central (https://suttacentral.net/) have opened up sutta studies to the general public. All users need to do is to input keywords into the search facility and the results can be easily generated. There are also really very good resources such as those provided by The Open Buddhist University (https://buddhistuniversity.net/) where one can take online courses and also access to a huge trove of library materials.
Nevertheless, these are all merely tools, and we still need some basic skills in looking out for the materials we need for our personal research or study. Below are abstracts of some of the more common tools used as the basis for research and application in search of the verses and suttas one is looking for.
2.2 Using Secondary References for beginners
There are many secondary compilations that provide a good start for beginners to search for a sutta study topic. There are many benefits to begin sutta study in this way, chiefly:
· A topical approach: Setting up a topic for sutta study enables the beginner to look for an area of his/her interest. This usually follows some deep seated quest to look for an answer to a personal problem, and the student may want to know what the Buddha has to say to his students in a similar situation.
· Look out for Short Suttas: Most of the short sutta compilation are geared for lay understanding. The short, specific arrangement means students can apply the "cut and paste" approach to use a specific quotation without time consuming research. Very good examples are the Dhammapada (https://www.tipitaka.net/tipitaka/dhp/), the Sutta Nipata (the fifth book of the Khuddaka Nikaya, consisting 71 short suttas divided into five chapters , https://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/kn/snp/index.html)
· The following are recommended references for beginners based on this category of research tool:
a. K. Sri Dhammananda, Ven. Dr., Treasure of the Dhamma, Buddhist Missionary Society, Kuala Lumpur, 1994
b. Khantipalo, Bhikkhu, The Buddha’s Words, Buddhist Gem Fellowship, Petaling Jaya, 1994 (Reprint)
c. Nanamoli, Life of the Buddha 3rd Ed., Buddhist Publication Society, Kandy, 1992
d. Strong, J.S., Experience of Buddhism: Sources and Interpretation, Wadsworth, 1995
e. Conze, E, Horner, I.B., Snellgrove, D. and Waley, A., Buddhist Texts Through the Ages, One World, 1995
· For example, in Ven. K. Sri Dhammmananda’s book "Treasure of the Dhamma", if one wishes to find out what the Buddha has to say about “feelings and dissatisfaction” (i.e. the topic), the reader will be guided to the Kindred Sayings, Vol II, Verse 40. (KS, II:40) accompanied by a short text from the referenced sutta.
2.3 Using Topical Indexes
These are indispensable tools for preparing Sutta Studies! Unlike introductory references, these indexes are merely topical keys to a list of suttas. For instance, if one wishes to search for a topic on "Dukkha" in general, a topical index guide would likely guide one to search at D II 294-295.
If one wishes to research on "Dukkha" with reference to the "cetasika" (mental factors), one will be pointed to D II 295.
These indexes are extremely handy when it comes to making quick search on a particular subject. Unlike secondary references, where part of the sutta’s content is provided, a researcher has to locate the original sutta itself in either the Pali edition or the translated version by Pali Text Society once he discovers the sutta he is looking for. With these indexes, researchers can make references directly to the suttas through accessing the original source.
The best index currently available is published by:
· Sunthorn, Na-Rangsi (Ed.), Co-authored by Jackson, P.A., A Topical Index of the Sutta Pitaka, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 1986).
2.4 Understanding Annotated Guides to the Tipitaka
These annotated guides compliment the topical indexes in that they provide an abstracts of each sutta. Users will be able to get a brief description of the content of each sutta, and thereby make preliminary decision on whether it would be worthwhile to go on with further investigation on the sutta, or to make another search.
Many of these guides (for Pali Sutta) come in the form of synoptical and alphabetical indexes. They are of great assistance especially when reference is made directly to the numerical representation of the volume, book and verses of the sutta collection.
There currently in print two excellent treatise of such indexes:
a. Webb, Russell (Ed.), An Analysis of the Pali Canon, Young Buddhist Association of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, 1989
b. U, Ko Lay (Ed.), Guide to the Tipitaka: Introduction to the Buddhist Canon, White Lotus Co. Ltd., Bangkok, 1993
2.5 Using Pali-English (or Pali-Chinese-Sanskrit) Dictionaries
Being involved in researching the Pali Tipitaka, one inadvertently comes across a list of Pali terms. Although some of these terms have been translated in English, nevertheless the scholarly standards of early translations (especially by the Pali Text Society) tends to have misrendering of the translations. It is therefore always useful to have a Pali-English dictionary around.
Among the recommended references of this category are:
a. Nyanatiloka, Buddhist Dictionary: Manual Of Buddhist Terms and Doctrines (3rd Rev. Ed.), Frewin & Co. Ltd., Colombo, 1972
b. Buddhadatta, Concise Pali-English Dictionary, U. Chandradasa De Silva, Colombo, 1968
c. Davids, T.W. Rhys & Stede, W., Pali-English Dictionary, Motilal Banarsidass Publishers, New Delhi, 1993
For an introductory course to beginners of Pali, it is recommended to use the following text:
· Johansson, R, Pali Buddhist Text Explained to the Beginner, Scandinavian Institute of Asian Studies, Sweden, 1973
2.6 Understanding and Using Annotations
Annotation and phrasing are commonly found in secondary sources. Scholarly rendering of a thesis usually has two kind of annotation, which are (a) the footnotes and (b) the endnotes.
Footnotes are found at the bottom of each page. Sometimes certain authors prefer to have this information printed at the side of each preceding paragraph. Such notes are called marginal notes. Depending on the use of such notes (whether marginal or footnotes), such annotation are useful as they usually make direct reference to the original source. Sometimes, a little explanation is provided on why the source was selected for the application in the particular context. This will give an idea to the reader on the contextual meaning of the application, thus making it more meaningful especially when making topical research.
Endnotes on the other hand usually provide information on Buddhist references, doctrinal terms, history and related topics. Where relevant, some authors make cross reference on two or more passages especially when related to terms of doctrine or development of ideas. Endnotes also add information which may be generally useful in understanding historical and cultural background of the subject in question.
Sometimes, these annotations by themselves provide more information than the original text. The aim and purpose of such information is to provide an explanation to the text, thereby assist the reader in interpretating difficult sections. Some reader may find the annotations to be the most useful part of the book, simply because it contains so much learning materials!
The recent extensive work accomplished by Bhikkhu Bodhi on the Tipitaka has set the de facto new translation standards. The notes that accompany the end at every sutta are useful and easy to read. It is recommended that all serious sutta study students get a copy of this series.
For those interested to have access to the online versions, here are some useful links:
Syllabus
for a Systematic Study of the Majjhima Nikāya
https://bodhimonastery.org/a-systematic-study-of-the-majjhima-nikaya.html
The
Sutta-Nipāta
https://bodhimonastery.org/sutta-nipata.html
2.7 Introduction to the Tipitaka Commentaries
Due to the deep meaning contained in the Buddha’s teaching, many learned monks have produced excellent analysis on the Pali Canon. Some of these post-canonical works can be by themselves considered as religious texts. These commentaries serve as useful reference when one requires deeper interpretation of certain doctrines.
For instance, the Dhammapada (Dh) is basically just a collection of verses compiled according to a series of subject matters. Each verse carries no more than four lines, and thus for the casual reader, they seem to be mere utterances made by the Buddha. However, when one studies such verses with the aid of the commentary (DhA), the verses are expanded through the incorporation of a related story. When one reads through the story in relation to the verse uttered, then one will understand the context in which the words were spoken. Needless to say, reading the commentaries is essential in unlocking the meaning contained in the canonical collection.
Amongst the post canonical work produced by the Pali Text Society are:
· Atthasalini
· Budhadatta’s Manuals
· Dathavamsa
· Dhammapada Commentary
· Jataka (6 vol)
· Khuddaka Patha Commentary
· Mahavamsa
· Maha Bodhivamsa
· Milindapanha
· Netti-pakarana
· Panca gatidipana
· Peta Vatthu Commentary
· Puggala Puññati Commentary
· Saddhammopayana
· Sumangala Vilasini
· Sutta Nipata Commentary
· Therigatha Commentary
· Vimana Vatthu Commentary
· Visuddhi Magga (2 vol)
2.8 Using Bibliographies
Since the mid 1800’s, due to active European colonial led archeological excavations to their far flung colonies, there has been a great deal of work in translating Indic based Buddhist scriptures into other languages, especially English, French, Dutch and German.
Sifting through the lists of translations can be a daunting experience. As such, there has been effort to compile a list of such research. In fact, entire books have been published just to index the bibliographies themselves.
Nevertheless, it helps to look at the list of bibliography of any Buddhist book as it gives an idea of the source of references used by the author. This also may assist the researcher to look out for similar materials in their own research effort.
For a list of bibliography related to studies conducted on Indian Buddhism, it is recommended to refer to:
· Bhattacharyya, N.N., History of Researchers on Indian Buddhism, Munshiram Manoharlal Publishers, New Delhi, 1981.
2.9 Historical References of the Pali Tipitaka
More serious researchers may wish to dwell further on the development of the Pali Tipitaka as a historical and scriptural collection. Although it is not essential to pursue this area of study in detail, it would definitely help students with scholarly intent to understand some of the salient features in the way the Pali canon was compiled. An intimate awareness of such knowledge will assist the student in appreciating:
· Why Pali?
· Why are there so many repetitive verses interspersed all over the various suttas?
· Why are some of the Buddha utterances repeated over and over again, albeit with different emphasis as he meets different congregation?
· How is it that such a large amount of knowledge can be effectively stored in memory without loss of continuity and meaning over 500 years before the advent of the printed version?
· And what criteria did the monks use to specifically categorize the Three Baskets (Tipitaka) according to the current alphabetical and numerical indexes?
For more details on historical introduction to Pali and the Buddhist Suttas, the following texts are recommended:
c. Malalasekera, G.P., The Pali Literature of Ceylon, Buddhist Publication Society, Sri Lanka, 1994
d. Mizuno, K., Buddhist Sutras: Origin, Development, Transmission, Kosei Publishing, Tokyo, 1982
e. Bodhesako, Beginnings: The Pali Suttas, Wheel Publication No: 313-315, Buddhist Publication Society, Sri Lanka, 1984.
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