UNIDAD FORMATIVA 3

Khuddakapātha or „the short lesson“ is mentioned as the first text of the Khuddaka nikāya. It is also known as

lesson heading. Mr. Rhys Davids called it the text of minor sayings. The Khuddakapātha consists of nine texts according to commentary. The book divides its names from the first four passages which are shorter in compilation with the remaining five passages of suttas.

1. Saranāgamana (taking the refuge of Triple Gem)

2. Dasa Sikhāpada (ten precepts to be observed by the novices to enter the order) 3. Dvattimsakara (the list of 32 parts of the body)

4. Sāmanera Pañhā (a set of questions given to a sāmanera) 5. Mahāmaṅgala Sutta (38 auspicious to anyone)

6. Rataṇa Sutta (it is said to have been preached by the Buddha in the place of Vesālī to preaching Triple Gem and blessing)

7. Tirokuddha Sutta (about petas (departed spirits), transferring merits to one's kinsmen) 8. Nidhikanda Sutta (the result of good deeds)

Mah ām a n gala sutta

Mahāmangala sutta was preached at Jetavana in answering the questions asked by a deva as to which are the

auspicious things in the world. This sutta describes 38 auspicious things including such things as the evident of four associations with wise, honoring those worthy human etc. This commentary explains that at the time this sutta was preached, there was a great discussion over the whole of Jambudīpa regarding the constitution of mangala. The deva heard the discussion and argued among themselves till the matters spread to the pious Brahma world. Then it was Sakka's suggestion, that a devaputta should visit the Buddha and ask him about it. In the Sutta Nipāta some sutta called

Mahāmangala was discussed. It is one of the suttas at the preaching of which countless deva were present and countless

beings realized the truth. This sutta is often recited and formed one of the commons of paritta. To have it written down in a book is considered an act of great of merit. It is said, that one king Duṭugemunu intended to preach this sutta at the Lohabhasada, but he was too nervous.

Ratana sutta

This sutta is one of the precious in early Pāli poetry. A charming hymn of praise of the Buddhist holy triple Gem is recited to ward off dangers and secure prosperity. The poem as we, now have it consists of two separate groups of stanza. The one of the five stanzas (first two and the last three) has been traditionally known as the original structure (atīte pañca

gātha). The remaining stanzas of poem are to have been inserted into the original a scheme of five. Whatever treasure there

is in the world or in the next and whatever excellent jewels there were in heaven, there is none equal to the Buddha. There is nothing equal to unceasing meditation preached by the Buddha. Those being free from desire with a steadfast mind are firmly established in the religion of Gautama. “He who obtains Arahantship as the pillar of a city gate standing on the earth is immovable by the wind from the four directions. So, I call him a righteous man who realized the Four Noble Truths.” They, who clearly meditated on the Four Noble Truths laid down by the Wise One, however much they may be lead to

Nibbāna cannot obtain the rebirth in the Niraya (hell) but they finally obtain blessing of the Triple Gem.

Tirokuddha sutta

One of the five suttas included in the Khuddakapātha. Petas (departed spirits), having their old dwelling places and their compassionate kinsmen should feed on them in due time food, charring etc. and also give gifts to monks in their names. Thus will they be happy. This sutta was preached on the third day of the Buddha's visit to Rājagaha, because on the previous night petas made a great uproar in the king Bimbisāra's palace.

NIDDESA

The Niddesa is the eleventh book of Khuddaka Nikāya. It has two parts – the Mahā Niddesa and Culla Niddesa. These two books are considered as commentaries belonging to the canon. The Mahā Niddesa is mentioned as a collection of word-by-word annotations of 210 verses of 16 suttas in the Aṭṭhakavagga of the Suttanipāta. The Culla Niddesa caontains comments on 118 verses of 18 suttas of Parāyana Vagga and 41 verses of one sutta in the same Suttanipāta.

The Niddesa is commentarial work and is ascribed to ven. Sāriputta. It has a detailed explanation by ven. Sāriputta of 32 suttas of Aṭṭhaka and Parāyana vaggas of Suttanipāta, and the Khaggavisana Sutta of the Uraga Vagga of the Suttanipāta. It contains no coments on the 56 Vatthugātha introductory stanzas with preface. The Parāyana Vagga is presently found in the Sutta Nipāta.

This lends support to the suggestion, that at the time when Cūla Niddesa was written the Parāyana Vagga was a spread(?) and anthology(?), and that the Khaggavisana Sutta did not belong to any particular group, similarly with the

Mahā Niddesa and Aṭṭhaka Vagga. The comments in the Niddesa seem to have been methodical, exegetical explanations

such as are attributed here and there in the Piṭakas to Mahā Kaccāyana and ven. Sāriputta. The Niddesa refers to several schedules of the mind-qualities which are based on the three divisions – action, speech and thought.

DHAMMAPADA

The Dhammapada is the second book of the Khuddaka nikāya. It deals with the sublime teachings of the Buddha. It is a short manual of Buddhist teaching. It has 423 verses and is arranged according to topics into 26 vaggas or „chapters.“ They are: 1. Yamaka vagga 2. Appamāda vagga 3. Citta vagga 4. Puppha vagga 5. Bāla vagga 6. Paṇḍita vagga 7. Arahanta vagga 8. Sahassa vagga 9. Pāpa vagga 10. Daṇḍa vagga 11. Jarā vagga 12. Atta vagga 13. Loka vagga 14. Buddha vagga 15. Sukha vagga 16. Piya vagga 17. Kodha vagga 18. Mala vagga 19. Dhammaṭṭha vagga 20. Magga vagga 21. Pakiṇṇaka vagga 22. Niraya vagga 23. Nāga vagga 24. Taṇhā vagga 25. Bhikkhu vagga 26. Brāhmaṇa vagga

The meaning of the Dhammapada is „the religious words“ or „saying according to Buddhism.“ It contains the teachings of the Buddha and mentions the essential principles of Buddhist philosophy and the Buddhist way of life.