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• [25 June 2003] From the Majjhima Nikaya:
  • Kannakatthala Sutta (MN 90) — At Kannakatthala {M ii 125} [Thanissaro Bhikkhu, trans.]. A case study in how social advantages can be a spiritual liability. The discussion focuses on the factors needed for release — attainable by all people, regardless of caste or race — while the gently satirical frame story shows how the life of a king, or any highly placed person, presents obstacles to developing those factors.
• [17 June 2003] From the Majjhima Nikaya:
  • Samana-Mundika Sutta (MN 78) — Mundika the Contemplative {M ii 22} [Thanissaro Bhikkhu, trans.]. The highest attainment is not simply the abandoning of unskillful actions and a reversion to childlike harmlessness. It requires first developing skillful habits and skillful resolves, and then letting them go.
• [13 June 2003] From the Majjhima Nikaya:
  • Angulimala Sutta (MN 86) — About Angulimala {M ii 97} [Thanissaro Bhikkhu, trans.]. A murderous bandit takes refuge in the Buddha, develops a heart of compassion, and becomes an arahant.
• [12 June 2003] From the Majjhima Nikaya:
  • Latukikopama Sutta (MN 66) — The Quail Simile {M i 447} [Thanissaro Bhikkhu, trans.]. Fetters are strong, not because of their own tensile strength, but because of the tenacity of our unwillingness to let them go.
• [6 June 2003] From the Majjhima Nikaya:
  • Potaliya Sutta (MN 54) — To Potaliya {M i 359} (excerpt) [Thanissaro Bhikkhu, trans.]. Using seven graphic similes for the drawbacks of sensual passions, the Buddha teaches Potaliya the householder what it means, in the discipline of a noble one, to have entirely cut off one's worldly affairs.
  • Salayatana-vibhanga Sutta (MN 137) — An Analysis of the Six Sense-media {M iii 215} [Thanissaro Bhikkhu, trans.]. A discussion of the emotions: where they come from, how they function in the path of practice, and how they manifest in an awakened person who is fit to teach others.
• [21 May 2003] From the Majjhima Nikaya:
  • Sekha-patipada Sutta (MN 53) — The Practice for One in Training {M i 353} [Thanissaro Bhikkhu, trans.]. "Consummate in clear-knowing and conduct" is a standard epithet for the Buddha. This sutta explains what it means, and shows that it can be used to describe an arahant as well.
• [26 April 2003] From the Digha Nikaya:
  • Potthapada Sutta (DN 9) — About Potthapada {D i 178} [Thanissaro Bhikkhu, trans.]. The wandering ascetic Potthapada brings to the Buddha a tangle of questions concerning the nature of perception. The Buddha clears up the matter by reviewing the fundamentals of concentration meditation and showing how it can lead to the ultimate cessation of perception.
• [20 April 2003] From the Majjhima Nikaya:
  • Anathapindikovada Sutta (MN 143) — Instructions to Anathapindika {M iii 258} [Thanissaro Bhikkhu, trans.]. Ven. Sariputta offers a deep teaching on non-clinging to the ailing lay-follower Anathapindika.
• [7 April 2003] Ajaan Lee speaks about metta (good will)
  • The Power of Goodwill, by Ajaan Lee Dhammadharo, translated from the Thai by Thanissaro Bhikkhu (2003; 5k/2pp.)
    How a king can make peace with his enemies and bring peace to his kingdom. In this brief talk Ajaan Lee retells an old story that illustrates the powers of goodness that ensue from the practice of metta (good will or loving-kindness).
• [4 April 2003] The Bhikkhuni Patimokkha: The Bhikkhunis' Code of Discipline (Thanissaro Bhikkhu, trans.)
  • Since the time of the Buddha, fully-ordained bhikkhus (monks) and bhikkhunis (nuns) have lived by a comprehensive code of conduct — the Patimokkha — that governs every aspect of monastic life. Although an English translation of the bhikkhu Patimokkha has been available online for a number of years, I believe this is the first time a complete translation of the bhikkhuni Patimokkha has appeared online.