The "Great Book" is the fifth and largest book in the Saṁyutta Nikāya, comprising twelve saṁyuttas centered on the Buddha's teachings on the way of practice leading to awakening. The first saṁyutta, the "Section on the Way of Practice" (Maggasaṁyutta), along with the following seven saṁyuttas, expounds on the bodhipakkhiyā dhammā, or "qualities leading to awakening", as taught by the Buddha. The remaining saṁyuttas offer various perspectives from the Buddha on the way of practice, concluding with teachings on stream-entry and the four noble truths. This book offers comprehensive insights into the Buddha's guidance on the way of practice to awakening.
The Group of Linked Discourses on the Way Of Practice
The "Linked Discourses on the Eightfold Path" contains discourses focusing on the Noble Eightfold Path, the Buddha's core teaching on the way of practice leading to awakening. These teachings explore each factor of the path — right view, right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right collectedness — offering guidance on how to cultivate these factors in daily life. By examining the path to awakening, these discourses provide insights into the conditions for spiritual growth and liberation.
The "Linked Discourses on the Factors of Awakening" contains discourses focusing on the seven factors that lead to awakening when cultivated. These factors include mindfulness, investigation of mental qualities (principles, states), energy, joy, tranquility, collectedness, and equanimity (mental poise). These teachings explore the qualities that support spiritual growth and the development of insight. By examining the factors of awakening, these discourses offer insights into the conditions for spiritual progress and liberation.
The "Linked Discourses on the Establishments of Mindfulness" contains discourses focusing on the four foundations of mindfulness: clear comprehension and full awareness of the body, felt experience, mind, and mental qualities. These teachings explore how to establish mindfulness as a means to develop right collectedness, insight and wisdom.
The "Linked Discourses on the Faculties" explores the five spiritual faculties: faith, energy, mindfulness, collectedness, and wisdom. These teachings examine how these faculties function as both the means to attain liberation and as qualities that become increasingly refined through practice. By developing these faculties in a balanced way, practitioners can progress on the path to awakening.
The "Linked Discourses on the Bases of Psychic Ability" contains discourses focusing on the qualities of aspiration, energy, purification of mind, and investigation that lead to the development of psychic ability when frequently cultivated. This collection offers insights into the power of the mind and the potential for spiritual growth through the cultivation of these qualities.
The "Linked Discourses on Stream-Entry" focuses on the qualities and practices leading to the attainment of stream-entry, the first stage of awakening. It explores two key sets of four qualities: one that defines a stream-enterer, centered on experiential confidence and ethical conduct, and another that leads to stream-entry, emphasizing hearing the teachings and practicing accordingly. These teachings highlight the crucial role of experiential confidence and ethical behavior in achieving this significant milestone on the path to liberation, while also acknowledging that other qualities are essential to fully understanding and realizing stream-entry.
The "Linked Discourses on the Truths" contains discourses centered on the four noble truths: suffering, its arising, its ending, and the way of practice for its ending. These fundamental teachings formed the core of the Buddha's first discourse, which is included here as <a href="/sn56.11" class="text-blue-600 hover:underline">SN 56.11</a>. The Buddha taught that all his teachings are encompassed within these four truths. This chapter offers a comprehensive perspective on the other teachings, linking them to the understanding and realization of the four noble truths, which culminates in enlightenment.